Posted on 3/6/2008 5:59:02 PM

ATP Tennis Odds - Channel Open Quarterfinal Picks

By Nila Amerova

Las Vegas, Nevada – The quarterfinal matchups in the bottom-half of the draw have already been determined. With play scheduled to kick-off on Friday, March 7, 2008, here is a look at the four players vying for a berth in the semifinal round at the Tennis Channel Open.

Tennis Betting Line: Amer Delic +190 Guillermo Canas -275

Match Time: 01:00 PM Eastern Time, Friday March 7, 2008

Tennis Analysis: This is the first-ever meeting at an ATP level event between No. 126 Amer Delic of the USA and No.20 Guillermo Canas of Argentina. The 30-year-old Argentine is contesting his second tournament of the season in Las Vegas, after missing the first part of the year with wrist tendonitis.

In only his second event, Canas reaches his first quarterfinal of the year, and on his course to the final four, Canas defeated Tomas Johansson and [Q] Chris Guccione. In his first tournament of the season in Acapulco (clay), Canas reached the second round (l. to Jose Acasuso). Canas is the only seeded player still alive in the bottom half of the draw. While he is short on match play, he still holds value at -275.

At +190 underdog odds, Amer Delic is an odds maker’s bait for bettors who like to take risks on long odds. Delic is a real long shot – the real deal, actually. More so than his price tag would suggest. Amer Delic got a free pass into the quarterfinal, when fifth seed Potito Starace retired with a back injury while trailing 6-3, 3-0. But the real deal-breaker is that Delic is preparing to make his first career appearance in an ATP quarterfinal.

Delic is not short on talent, in fact, he lead his college team to its first NCAA team title with a 32-0 mark, and then became the first Illinois player to capture the NCAA singles crown. However, since qualifying for his first ATP level event in 2005, Delic has posted underwhelming results.

In 2008, Delic competed at the Australian Open and Delray Beach, reaching the second round of both. On the Challenger circuit, he won the title in Dallas.

So the question is, whether the veteran player, who is not in top-form, will persevere, owing to his vast experience, or will Vegas prove to be lucky for the first-timer? I must admit to a penchant for the underdogs, and as such, I think Delic, who had to qualify for the event and as such has had a lot of court time in Vegas, could seize the victory.

Tennis Free Picks: Delic in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: Sam Querrey -165 Julien Benneteau +125

Match Time: 01:00 PM Eastern Time, Friday March 7, 2008

Tennis Analysis: In the second round, Sam Querrey posted an impressive victory over German Nikolas Kiefer, needing just under an hour to dismiss the veteran 6-3, 6-1. His solid second round performance makes his favorite odds at -165 in the quarterfinal a smart play. The 20-year-old American is contesting his second quarterfinal of the season, his first came during his semifinal run at Delray Beach. Querrey is 1-0 in ATP quarterfinals this year and brings a 9/6 record for the season into this match. Querrey also enters with a comfortable 3-0 record over Julien Benneteau of France; all three victories came on hard in 2007.

Benneteau is 6/4 for the season, after stunning defending champion and second seed Lleyton Hewitt in the second round. Benneteau is contesting his second ATP quarterfinal of the year, his first came during his semifinal run in Auckland. Benneteau is 1-0 in quarterfinals thus far this season, and following his huge second round upset, his +125 underdog price tag could prove to be the winning bet.

Tennis Free Picks: Benneteau in straight sets

Nila Amerova is a freelance sports writer and regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room.