posted March 3, 2008 at 17:57 in Tennis Betting Trends

The BetUS.com ATP Tennis Betting Community will be treated to an exciting tournament featuring a grand slam lineup of the game’s top players at the 2008 Barclays Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championships, scheduled to take place from March 3 – 8 in Dubai, U.A.E.

Now, in its 16th year, the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships features one of the strongest fields in the tournament’s history, with six of the top seven-ranked players in the world competing for one of the most prestigious titles on the ATP Tour.

Defending champion Roger Federer is back to take on a talented field that includes 2006 winner and World No.2 Rafael Nadal, though Federer may have a big advantage over many of his competitors as he has a second home in Dubai and resides there for major stretches of each year.

“I can really concentrate on tennis here,” Federer said. “I have no distractions, whereas in Switzerland maybe I still have so many friends, families, I want to do things with. I'm maybe not there to really focus on tennis, whereas in Dubai it's totally different. Maybe, as well, if you want to go, have a day off, like an afternoon off, you can even go to the beach, take it easy. It's just a good feeling in Dubai for me to practice.”

In addition to Nadal, Federer will also have to compete with World No. 3 Novak Djokovic, winner of the first grand slam of 2008 – the Australian Open.

World No. 6 Andy Roddick and World No. 12 Andy Murray are two players making their Dubai debut this year.

Young Frenchman Richard Gasquet, ranked seventh in the world, as well as World No. 5 Nikolay Davydenko will also be on hand at the hard-court tournament.

BetUS.com ATP Tennis bettors looking to increase their season bankrolls, will be treated to several thrilling opening-round matches as Federer takes on Murray and World No. 4 David Ferrer faces veteran Tommy Hass.

The first round also features intriguing matches between World No. 10 Tomas Berdych and athletic Frenchman Gael Monfils, ranked 51st in the world as well as Roddick facing World No. 19 Juan Carlos Ferrero.

Check out the BetUS.com Sportsbook and BetUS.com Locker Room all week for the latest ATP Odds and tennis-related articles on the Barclays Dubai Duty-Free Championship.