Posted on 3/3/2008 10:22:40 PM

Tennis Gambling - Barclay’s Dubai Tennis Championships

By Nila Amerova

Dubai, UAE – The top-half of the draw suddenly opened up with the untimely exit of top seed Roger Federer in Dubai. Pre-tournament predictions had the World No.1 and defending champion slotted at the very least for a semifinal berth, if not the final. However, with Andy Murray’s surprise victory on the opening day of the Barclay’s Dubai Tennis Championships, the playing field has widened, leaving the title up-for-grabs. As there is more excitement to be had in Dubai, for sure, here is a look at the tennis odds currently live at BetUS.

Tennis Betting Line: Joseph Sirianni +350 Paul Henri Mathieu -600

Match Time: 05:00 AM Eastern Time, March 4, 2008

Tennis Prediction: No.157 Joseph Sirianni of Australia owns a 1-0 record over No.14 Paul-Henri Mathieu of France, after he defeated the higher ranked tennis player on home turf in Adelaide. Sirianni will not hold such an advantage in Dubai, and at +350 odds, his earlier win of the season notwithstanding, he is a long-shot bet.

Tennis Free Picks: Mathieu in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: Janko Tipsarevic -150 Feliciano Lopez +110

Match Time: 05:00 AM Eastern Time, March 4, 2008

Tennis Prediction: When playing against someone like Roger Federer, players are forced to raise their game to previous unchartered levels. Such a moment for Tipsarevic came at the 2008 Australian Open, when he took Federer to five sets. Since then, Tipsarevic, has performed not as impressively. He withdrew from Serbia’s Davis Cup action due to illness, and subsequently, he was forced to retire from the first round of Belgrade (a Challenger event). He fell in the second round of Rotterdam and last week, suffered a shock upset in the quarterfinal in Zagreb to lucky loser and eventual champion Sergiy Stakhovsky. In head-to-heads, Tipsarevic trails 0-1 against Lopez. I am not convinced Tipsarevic will bring the same level we saw from him earlier this year. On the other hand, Lopez has struggled thus far, posting only one victory for the season. By all indications, Tipsarevic is the better play, but perhaps this matchup will give Lopez a much needed victory and revitalize his game.

Tennis Free Picks: Lopez in three sets

Tennis Betting Line: Gael Monfils +225 Tomas Berdych -350

Match Time: 05:00 AM Eastern Time, March 4, 2008

Tennis Prediction: This is France’s No.52 Gael Monfils’ first tournament of the season, having missed the first three months due to injury. Tipped at +225, Monfils is a talented up-and-comer, who could give No.10 Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic a tough contest. Monfils is also a good friend of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and may well find inspiration in his friends Cinderella run in Melbourne – raising the question, whether he will prove to be the dangerous floater in Dubai. Perhaps!

For all the Czech’s talent, game and arsenal of shots, in 2007, he underachieved in proportion. In 2008, he has vied to live up to the hype. The bookmakers tip Berdych at -350. They must feel confident he will admittedly live up to his potential, at least in this meeting. He is the better player, and in turn, the better play.

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