posted October 29, 2007 at 19:44 in Tennis Betting Trends

Paris, France – Flush from their shared victory in Lyon, doubles partners Grosjean and Tsonga, both of whom enter the BNP Paribas Masters on a wild card invitation, draw each other in the first round in Paris. With this, the last event on the ATP Calendar, before the Shanghai Masters Cup on November 22,2007, a first round loss would mean the end of the season for one. So, whose season will end tomorrow? Will Grosjean – the double titlist in Lyon (singles and doubles) – continue his winning streak in Paris or will he crash out in the first round? Grosjean is favored with BetUS Sportsbook at -150.

Tennis Free Picks

Tennis Line: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga +110 Sebastien Grosjean -150

Match Time: 07:00 A.M. EST

Tennis Prediction: Last week’s titlist in Lyon twice over (singles and doubles) No. 49 Sebastien Grosjean, who enters the ATP Masters Series in Paris on a wildcard, draws his doubles partner No.45 Jo-Wilfred Tsonga, also on entering on a wild card, in the first round.

Before becoming the doubles title winner in Lyon, Grosjean turned out a below par season, arriving with a lowly 16/17 record for the season to last week’s Grand Prix de Tennis de Lyon and a ranking that had slipped to No.81 from a season-opening ranking of No.28, Grosjean’s five-match winning streak in Lyon improved his record for the season to 21/17 and earned him his first title since 2002.

At -150, Grosjean is favored on the line largely due to his performance last week – a performance in which his game went through resurgence. However, can Grosjean continue on his winning streak in Paris? Certainly, his record for the season gives no indication such a feat would be possible.

Against Tsonga, Grosjean holds a 1-0 record, a win he notched over his Lyon’s doubles partner and co-titlist in the semifinal round of the same event last week.

Following last week’s run to the semifinal in Lyon, Tsonga cracked the Top 50, improving his ranking to No.45 from last week’s No.65. In his run last week, Tsonga topped veteran player No. 76 Vincent Spadea in the first round, France’s number one player, Richard Gasquet in the second round and Belgian No.54 Oliver Rochus in the quarterfinal, before losing to compatriot and eventual winner Grosjean.

In this all-French affair, before handicapping this match, there are many factors to consider, and none more so than the dynamics of their doubles partnership.

Having played side-by-side in Lyon, both players must be as familiar with each other’s game as with their own. Now, after sharing the same side of the court and the podium in Lyon, Grosjean and Tsonga find themselves once again on opposing sides.

Canceling out home court advantage, the Frenchman who overcomes the respect, friendship and camaraderie, brought about by their doubles victory in Lyon last week, will be the one to seize the day in tomorrow’s match. Grosjean brings the advantage of experience; Tsonga brings the advantage of youthful energy. After a grueling week in Lyon last week, certainly Tsonga’s youth tips the balance in his favor, giving him just enough of an edge to upset his doubles mentor and kinsman.

Tennis Free Pick: Tsonga in straight sets.

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