Posted on 3/4/2008 6:48:50 PM

ATP Tennis Picks - Barclay’s Dubai Tennis Championships Second Round

By Nila Amerova

Dubai, UAE – Sans top seed and defending champion Roger Federer, the top half of the draw enters the second round in Dubai on Wednesday, March 5, 2008, and appropriately, the tennis odds for the matchups are already in full swing at BetUS. Tennis bettors – there is some money to made handicapping the R16. So let us get started: here are some free tennis picks.

Tennis Betting Line: Jan Hernych +350 Nikolay Davydenko -600

Match Time: 05:00 AM Eastern Time, Wednesday March 5, 2008

Tennis Prediction: This matchup could be the most straightforward in the R16. No.188 Jan Hernych of the Czech Republic, in spite of a one-match lifetime differential with No.5 Nikolay Davydenko of Russia, is disadvantaged on the money line at +350. According to his price tag, he is a long shot bet, and I would agree the price is right. Upon close inspection, their head-to-head record, which sits at 3-2 in favour of Davydenko, the last two victories went the way of the Russian in 2007 at the ATP Masters Series in Indiana Wells and more recently, in Rotterdam this year. Davydenko should easily move into the final eight.

Tennis Free Pick: Davydenko in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: Andy Murray -550 Fernando Verdasco +325

Match Time: 05:00 AM Eastern Time, Wednesday March 5, 2008

Tennis Prediction: No.11 Andy Murray is the proud owner of the victory that saw the top seed and 2007 Dubai defending champion Roger Federer’s campaign end, before it really got into full swing in the first round. Following his momentous victory, Murray’s overall odds in Dubai improved. He enters the second round as a huge favorite, and in spite of his lack of seeding in Dubai, his draw promises to extend his favoritism, slotting him at the very least for a berth in the semifinal. But I am getting ahead of myself, because next up is the R16. So let us focus on his odds here. Murray prepares to face an inconsistent player in No.30 Fernando Verdasco of Spain. Leading with a perfect 2-0 record over the Spaniard and taking an 11/2 record into the second round, which includes two ATP titles this year, Murray is the sure play.

Tennis Free Pick: Murray in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: David Ferrer -500 Olivier Rochus +300

Match Time: 05:00 AM Eastern Time, Wednesday March 5, 2008

Tennis Prediction: No.4 David Ferrer, who reached his career high ranking of No.4 this week, lucked out in his section of the draw. In the first round, Ferrer drew a hard up Tommy Haas – struggling since the start of the season – topping him with an easy 6-3, 6-0 victory. In the second round, Ferrer meets No.71 Oliver Rochus, a player whose results on the ATP circuit are too sporadic and random to be considered a serious threat to the Spaniard now comfortably sitting in the Top 5 elite. Ferrer is the smart bet.

Tennis Free Pick: Ferrer in straight sets.

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