Posted on 3/20/2008 2:53:34 PM

ATP Tennis Odds – Pacific Life Open Quarterfinal - Wawrinka vs. Djokovic

By Nila Amerova

Indian Wells -- The ATP Masters Series men’s quarterfinal line-up was confirmed yesterday with top seeds Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic all advancing through in imperious form. Also in the final eight is seventh seed David Nalbandian, ninth seed James Blake, twenty-two seed Juan Carlos Ferrero and two unseeded players in the form of Stanislas Wawrinka and Mardy Fish. BetUS is currently taking action on all the quarterfinal matchups at the Pacific Life Open, so check out the odds and start betting on tennis.

Tennis Free Picks

Matchup: Stanislas Wawrinka vs. Novak Djokovic

BetUS Odds:
Stanislas Wawrinka +4½ -110 +600 Over 20½ -130 
Novak Djokovic -4½ -130 -1200 Under 20½ -110 
Stanislas Wawrinka (1st Set) +350 Over 9½ -125 
Novak Djokovic (1st Set) -600 Under 9½ -115

Match Time: 04:00 PM Eastern Time, Thursday March 20, 2008

Analysis: World No.3 Novak Djokovic is outrageously favoured on the money line at -1200 over No. 35 Stanislas Wawrinka, but lifetime they are tied at 2-2.
In 2006, Djokovic and Wawrinka met twice. First in Davis Cup action – Djokovic won in a close five set contest 6-4, 3-6, 2-6, 7-6(3), 6-4. In the same year, they met in Vienna and Wawrinka avenged his Davis Cup loss with a straight set victory in the R16 6-3, 6-3. In 2007, Wawrinka and Djokovic met in the final in Vienna, Djokovic won the match convincingly 6-4, 6-0.

Wawrinka started the 2008 year with an impressive run in Doha that saw him reach the final, where he finished runner-up, lost to Andy Murray in three sets 4-6, 6-4, 2-6. Since then, in five tournaments Wawrinka has been unable to perform better than a second round appearance. Arriving in Indian Wells with a 7-5 record, Wawrinka fell into the same quarter of the draw as David Ferrer, Tomas Berdych and Marcos Baghdatis – all of whom were slotted by experts as the more likely players of the quarter to emerge. However, against the odds, Wawrinka secured his berth in the final eight, first by dismissing in Berdych, followed by Baghdatis and Hyung-Taik Lee (who upset David Ferrer earlier) in the R16. Wawrinka has bested some quality players en route to the quarterfinal so by virtue of his performance in the Californian desert he should not be underestimated. He holds a lot of value at +600 underdogs – for a $100 bet on his long shot odds would payout six-fold!!!

Without delving into a long soliloquy about Djokovic’s game, hard court brilliance and other such merits, the most important edge Djokovic has is his championship credentials, which in turn, make him the better play. No stranger to the big stage and high-pressure situations, Djokovic should draw on his experience from such similarly big occasions and persevere. There is no question this will be a tight match, and Wawrinka will do his best to oust the heavy favorite, but at the end of the day, Djokovic should find that little bit extra that will see him edge into the final four.

Tennis Free Pick: Wawrinka has a big game; an upset here is not out of the question – even if it does send seismic shocks throughout the tournament. I would not discourage taking Wawrinka at +600 odds, but the bottom line is Djokovic should win, and the bookies pricing him so outrageously feel the same way. Short-odds bettors – Djokovic is your man! Long shot odds seekers – this is a good one to take a chance on, but do not go betting the farm!

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