Posted on
3/5/2008 9:37:06 PM
ATP Tennis Betting Roddick sets up Nadal Clash
By Nila Amerova
Dubai, UAE – The strength of the field in attendance in Dubai at the start of the tournament was staggering with eight of the Top 10 elite players, along with a host of other players, who although rank beyond the Top 10, are deep in talent. As the tournament moves into the quarterfinal round, six of the Top 10 elite are still alive in the competition, promising some blockbuster matchups in the final eight. One such stellar line-up is the clash of World No.2 and second top seed in Dubai Rafael Nadal against No.6 Andy Roddick. If they live up to their billing, this match will be not only exciting to watch, but also thrilling to bet on.
Barclay’s Dubai Tennis Championships Quarterfinal Picks:
Match Time: 05:00 AM Eastern Time, Thursday March 6, 2008
Tennis Betting Line: Andy Roddick vs. Rafeal Nadal
Tennis Prediction: Spaniard Rafael Nadal holds a slight edge over American Andy Roddick, with a lifetime record of 2-1. The most recent victory went the way of Nadal during his title run in Indian wells last year; Nadal defeated Roddick with a straight set 6-4, 6-3 victory.
Their quarterfinal clash marks their first meeting in 2008. Nadal brings a 12/3 record for the season, which includes his semifinal run at the Australian Open (his best performance in Melbourne), as well as a runner-up finish earlier in the season in Chennai. Nadal’s worst performance this year, was a second round exit in Rotterdam, where he was stunned by a much-improved Andreas Seppi of Italy in three sets.
In the first round, Nadal was extended to three sets by a tough hard court player, Philipp Kohlschreiber, the same player who upset Andy Roddick at the Australian Open R32 this year. In the second round, Nadal produced a dominant performance over qualifier Ledovskikh, dismissing the Russian 6-4, 6-0.
Sixth seed Andy Roddick arrives in the quarterfinal with a 12/2 record for the season, which includes his title victory in San Jose – his first ATP title of the season. Roddick has produced some mixed results in tournament play this season, his first disappointment came at the Australian Open and in Memphis, he suffered a shocking quarterfinal loss to an in-form No.42 Robin Soderling of Sweden.
Both Nadal and Roddick have much to recommend them in this matchup. Roddick holds the edge with his serve, and overall hard court game; whereas, Nadal has the edge with his dogged defensive play and baseline coverage that on numerous occasions has him firing winners on the run from both wings. Nadal has been on numerous occasions been criticised for his inability to produce consistent results on hard, but he clearly has the ability to win on this surface – after all, he did win this event in 2006! I for one like Nadal’s odds against Roddick – call me a biased fan, but I pick Nadal.
Tennis Free Picks: Nadal in three sets
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Nila Amerova is a freelance sports writer and regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room.