Posted on 1/16/2008 8:16:23 PM

Tennis Wagering - Australian Open Second Round Odds

By Nila Amerova

Melbourne, Australia – The men’s top half of the draw gets set to play in the second round today, namely odd makers short odds favourites to win the Australian Open title Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. BetUS Sportsbook is taking action on all the tennis action scheduled for Wednesday January 16, 2008. Here are some free tennis picks to get you started on betting on tennis. 

Match Times: 7PM Eastern

Tennis Betting Line:

Janko Tipsarevic +5½ -120 +225 Over 37½ -130

Fernando Verdasco -5½ -120 -350 Under 37½ -110

Tennis Prediction: No.49 Janko Tipsarevic survived a tough first round contest against Australian wild card Joseph Sirianni, seizing the victory in five sets. Tipsarevic, tipped at +225, arrived at the Australian Open having played one match in Doha – an Australian Open warm-up event (Tipsarevic withdrew in the second round). The lesser-known Serbian player Tipsarevic favours slower hard court surfaces and clay; as such, the new Plexicushion surface should help him in his next match up. However, in No.28 Fernando Verdasco, he will face a natural clay-courter and modest hard court player, who will benefit from the slower hard court surface in Melbourne Park as well. Verdasco, favoured by the odds makers is the better play. However, I expect a drawn out match, as both players have a tendency to be inconsistent.

Tennis Free Pick: Verdasco in four sets

Tennis Betting Line:

Juan Monaco -5½ -120 -450 Over 35½ -155

Amer Delic +5½ -120 +275 Under 35½ +115

Tennis Prediction: No.23 Juan Monaco, favoured at -450, is one of the players to watch during the course of this season.

Poised at the brink of the Top 20 ranking, he is expected to crack the Top 20 or better. No.136 Amer Delic is a long shot bet. Go with the odds makers on this matchup.

Tennis Free Pick: Monaco in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line:

Oscar Hernandez +10 -120 +1400

Tomas Berdych -10 -120 -6500

Tennis Prediction: After breaking into the Top 20 on June 12, 2006, Berdych enjoyed another surge in rankings briefly between August and September 2007, when he broke into the Top 10. For almost two years, much hype has surrounded this young Czech talent, but he has yet to live up to it. In 2008, great things are expected from Berdych, and what better time than at the first Grand Slam event of the year to start. At -6500, he is the outright favourite. He should live up to his price tag against No.60 Oscar Hernandez.

Tennis Free Pick: Berdych in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line:

Alun Jones +7½ -120 +750 Over 29½ -140

Juan Carlos Ferrero -7½ -120 -1800 Under 29½ EV

Tennis Prediction: No.21 Juan Carlos Ferrero met No.137 Alun Jones in the first round of the Australian Open in 2001. Ferrero won in straight sets. Seven years later, in the second round, the pair meets again. There is little to suggest the outcome will be different. Ferrero is the safe bet.

Tennis Free Pick: Ferrero in straight sets.

Tennis Betting Line:

Guillermo Garcia Lopez +275

Jo Wilfried Tsonga -450

Tennis Prediction: After watching No.38 Jo-Wilfred Tsonga oust Britain’s hope Andy Murray in the first round, I am optimistic for this young Frenchman. Tsonga is another young talent that has struggled with converting his potential into significant results. In 2007, Tsonga entered the Top 100 on July 9, 2007. Since then, he has steadily climbed the ranks and deservedly so. Defeating one of the seeds at the Australian Open and one of the bookmakers triple digit pre-tournament favourites for the Australian Open title (Murray was tipped at +2000), Tsonga’s confidence received an immense boost. If anything, he validated the noise that surrounded him in 2007. Watch out for this kid in 2008, he may not win the title, but in this round, he is the better play.

Tennis Free Pick: Tsonga in four sets

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