posted July 11, 2008 at 17:31 in Tennis Betting Trends

Gstaad, Switzerland – As a thrilling weekend of tennis betting approaches the online tennis-betting hamlet at BetUS Sportsbook has a wide range of tennis events to bet on. One tournament in particular is the Allianz Suisse Open, which at the close of tennis gambling action today confirmed the final four line-up. Heading in to Saturday’s semi-final is top seed Stanislas Wawrinka as well as seventh seed Igor Andreev. But two unseeded players in the form of Guillermo Garcia-Lopez and Victor Hanescu also feature. So with two underdogs overturning pre-tournament expectations the question for long shot pushers is whether they can go one better and in turn are worth the risk. Here is a tennis-betting preview of the Allianz Suisse Open semis, complete with tennis predictions and tennis free picks.

Tennis Betting Line: Stanislas Wawrinka vs. Victor Hanescu

Match Time: 05:00 AM Eastern Time, Saturday, July 12, 2008

Tennis Analysis: Top seed Stanislas Wawrinka has not had an easy passage to the final four in Gstaad. In his opening match, he was severely tested by wild card entrant and compatriot Robin Roshardt. At the onset of the match, the expectation was that Wawrinka would live up to his top billing in the tournament and deliver an imperious win over fellow Swiss Roshardt. Instead, Wawrinka was taken to three sets 7-6(6), 5-7, 7-6(3). After a rather unimpressive opening match, Wawrinka prepared to face Guillermo Canas a dogged and gritty clay-courter. Once again, another narrow three set triumph for the Swiss, but this time he was forced to comeback from a set down 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(2).

Tennis Betting Verdict: Based on his performance thus far, two things can be taken away from his matches. Wawrinka is not winning matches he should win handily – as one of the top elite he has a long way to go in proving himself. However, his ability to persevere under pressure and challenging circumstances bodes well for him. As such, he is a good play in his upcoming match against Victor Hanescu.

Tennis Free Picks: Wawrinka in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: Guillermo Garcia- Lopez vs. Igor Andreev

Match Time: 05:00 AM Eastern Time, Saturday, July 12, 2008

Tennis Analysis: Russian Igor Andreev was born to play on clay. Having also spent a lot of time training in Spain, Andreev had ample occasion to hone his clay-court game. Not for nothing is he considered a clay court guru. Seeded seventh in the tournament Andreev is one of two seeded players still alive at the Allianz Suisse Open. Andreev enters the first semi-final of an ATP level tournament this year. In 2008, he reached four quarterfinals, failing to emerge in all four. Overcoming the hex Andreev now has a chance to go one better.

Tennis Betting Verdict: Andreev holds a 1-0 edge over Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, but the triumph came way back in 2005. Surprisingly, No. 88 Garcia-Lopez is contesting his second semi-final of the year; his first semi appearance came in San Jose in February (l. Andy Roddick). Garcia-Lopez is enjoying a good run in this tournament, most notable was his quarterfinal victory over Mikhail Youzhny 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(2). Betting on him has proven to be the winning play thus far, so he may very well emerge as one of the finalists. But I like Andreev’s odds to contest his first final his runner-up finish in Sydney in 2006.

Tennis Free Picks: Andreev in three sets

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