Posted on 1/3/2008 5:12:46 PM

Tennis Betting – Chennai Open Quarterfinal Picks

By Nila Amerova

Chennai, India – BetUS Sportsbook is taking action on the Chennai Open. With the quarterfinal round set to kick-off on Friday, January 4, 2008, here are some free tennis picks to get you started betting on tennis.

Tennis Betting Line:

Match Times: 05:00 A.M. EST. Friday, 04 January 2008

Xavier Malisse -125 Mikhail Youzhny -115

Tennis Prediction: This match up should be one of the closely contested matches in the Chennai Open quarterfinals. It is interesting to note that No.19 Mikhail Youzhny at -115 is slightly disadvantaged on the line, but his rank and 2007 season would suggest otherwise; that is he is the better play. In 2007, Youzhny complied a 50/24 record for the season and lifted one title. On hard, Youzhny is a Federer-like player, albeit of lesser calibre. Talented and wily, he is a Top 20 player to bank on most times.

No. 112 Xavier Malisse is slightly favored over Youzhny despite his lower ranking, perhaps owing to his winning record over Youzhny. Malisse owns a 3-1 career record, which includes two hard court victories and one on carpet. However, the last time the two met in a tournament was in 2006 at the Australian Open. Considering the year since their last meeting, Malisse, who only compiled a 10/4 record in 2007 would be in my opinion the unlikely victor in this match.

Tennis Free Pick: Youzhny in straight sets.

Tennis Betting Line:

Carlos Moya -300 Florent Serra +200

Match Times: 05:00 A.M. EST. Friday, 04 January 2008

Tennis Prediction: No.17 Carlos Moya is one of the oldest players currently in the Top 20. A clay court specialist, his hard court game is not to be underestimated. In 2007, Moya finished the season with a 42/23 record and lifted one title. His most notable performance in 2007 was at the US Open, where he advanced all the way to the quarterfinal, losing to No.3 Novak Djokovic 4-6 6-7(7) 1-6. At –300, Moya is the better play.

No. 92 Florent Serra finished the 2007 season with a losing record of 16/24, of which he compiled 10/11 on hard. Against Moya, Serra trails 0-1 in career head-to-heads, a loss he incurred at the 2007 Roland Garros (clay). At +200 Serra is a long shot bet.

Tennis Free Pick: Moya in straight sets

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