Posted on 1/17/2008 11:02:08 AM

Australian Open Betting – Second Round Picks

By Nila Amerova

Melbourne, Australia – As day 3 of the Australian Open dawns, the tournament moves into the second round and several interesting matchups present themselves. For spectators this lends some exciting tennis to watch and for tennis bettors this presents some enticing matchups to bet on. Aside from the World’s Top two players in men’s singles tennis – Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal—and to some extent Novak Djokovic, the World No.3 player – the rest of the playing field in the Top 30 are deep in talent and sit poised to shakeup the rankings in 2008. With such potential for mobility in the rankings, the matches start to get closer and the odds tighter, making betting on the outcome during the course of the Australian Open an enticing prospect for any sports betting enthusiast.

Here is a look at some of the matchups scheduled for Tuesday January 15, 2008.

BetUS Tennis Free Picks:

Match Time: 7PM Eastern Time

Tennis Betting Line:

Guillermo Garcia-Lopez -150 Over 39½ -130

Alejandro Falla +110 Under 39½ -110

Tennis Prediction: This is the first meeting between No.84 Alejandro Falla and No.86 Guillermo Garcia-Lopez. Very little separates the two in the way of ranking. Garcia-Lopez favours clay surface, while Falla prefers hard. However, unlike the faster hard surface at the US Open, the slower Plexicushion surface should benefit Garcia-Lopez, the clay-courter. Garcia-Lopez also owns the victory over the eighteenth seed Chela in the first round, a good mental boost for the 24-year old Spaniard. Favoured at -150 on the money line, Garcia-Lopez is a good bet. If there is any advantage Falla may enjoy, aside from favouring hard, it is he is a natural left-handed player, making him a tricky opponent to play against. With a strong backhand shot, he could upset the odds makers’ favourite.

Tennis Free Pick: Garcia-Lopez in four sets

Tennis Betting Line:

Stefan Koubek EV Over 39½ -110

Agustin Calleri -140 Under 39½ -130

Tennis Prediction: As the money line indicates this should be a close contest. No.68 Stefan Koubek, who upset a seeded player in Carlos Moya in the first round, trails 1-2 against No.41 Agustin Calleri, but his mental boost following his first round upset could propel him to even up their career head-to-head record. Moreover, Koubek owns the most recent victory against Calleri – Sopot 2007 (clay).

On the other hand, the favourite Calleri has had a good start to the 2008 season, participating in two warm-up events – Sydney and Doha. In both tournaments he advanced deep – into the quarterfinal round. With his hard court rhythm well tuned-up, he would be the better bet.

Tennis Free Pick: Calleri in four sets

Tennis Betting Line:

Dudi Sela +235 Over 41½ -115

Ivo Karlovic -375 Under 41½ -125

Tennis Prediction: At 6’10 No.24 Ivo Karlovic is one of the tallest players on the tour and in turn, intimidating. The full extent of his height lends him one of the toughest serves to return – particularly when he aces his way through a match. At -375, Karlovic is the better play.

Tennis Free Pick: Karlovic in straight sets

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