Posted on 5/7/2008 1:35:10 PM

Online Tennis Betting - Masters Series Rome 3rd Quarter Preview

By Nila Amerova

Rome, Italy – The third quarter at the Masters Series in Rome holds World No.6 Andy Roddick, who let’s face it (it is no secret after all) is not suited to playing on clay. Aside from reaching the quarterfinals here in 2006 and the semi-final way back in 2002, he has not done much on clay lately –and so messes things up in his section of the draw, as it is unlikely he will get far. But as far as the online tennis betting hamlet goes, it is only fair to give his quarter the same consideration as the others quarters of the draw. Online betting on the ATP Masters Series in Rome is not just about the results in this event, but more so, about gaining a true impression of what his – and the challengers in his section of the draw— true French Open prospects are.

Past results in Roland Garros do not bode well for A-Rod, or for that matter for any of his American counterparts. In Paris, Roddick is just 4-7 lifetime, his best result coming in 2001 when he reached the third round of the French Open. So perhaps scripting a good run on the red clay in Rome, may tell a different story about Roddick in the upcoming French Open. But, ahhhh ....who am I kidding, unless the draw at the French Open is devoid of clay-court specialists, Roddick has no hope of entertaining visions of making it into the second week in Paris.

But let us rewind back to the ATP Masters Series in Rome, which I realize was the initial purpose of this article...and I am getting there. Right. So, up until today, his section of the draw also held Mardy Fish, another American who is rather incompetent on the red dirt. But their so-called “epic” billing against each other in the second round today, solved that dilemma rather quickly. Movement is important on clay and I am not going to sugar coat it, but neither player moves like a ballerina – as bad as Roddick is, Fish is much worse. (Sorry Roddick fans, but they do not cut a pretty pose on clay.) It was no beautiful rendition of Swan Lake on court today. Roddick (-275 on the money line) used his big serve and forehand to dictate play, which was all fine-and-dandy against Fish (+190), as his movement was wretched and easily exploited by Roddick. The outcome of the match was no surprise, but looking ahead as Roddick tries to chart his course to the quarterfinals in his section of the draw, should he come up against a more acrobatic player (a top elite or clay court specialists), it won’t be long before one pirouettes over him into the next round. So I believe.

After defeating Mardy Fish in the second round, Roddick, along with Federer became the first two players to advance into the third round. Roddick next awaits the winner of the Gilles Simon vs. Simone Bolelli match. No doubt, Roddick, if given the choice would prefer to play Gilles Simon, fancying his chances are better against the Frenchman, who is predominantly a hard court player and trails 0-1 against Roddick. However, should Boleilli emerge the winner, Roddick could be in a pickle, for in Boleilli he meets a home patch favourite as well as last week’s finalist in Munich. Topping the Italian, who has recently found formidable form on clay and will try to ride the emotion on home turf, will be difficult to say the least for Roddick. If anything, I am going to go out on a limb (yes once again) and say that the Italian with the gorgeous forehand shot is a better pick for the quarterfinal in this section. There I said it (and once again, apologies to Roddick fans).

On the off chance he survives his third round challenge, then in the quarterfinal, Roddick would face one of four players – Nikolay Davydenko, Mario Ancic, Tommy Robredo and Nicolas Mahut – the former two (more or less) have the game that could knock Roddick of his stride. But should he survive even this round, moving to the semi-final, well then, surely the obvious challenger slotted to meet him there, Rafael Nadal will be the one he bites the dust against.

Overall, Roddick does have a favourable draw – too bad he is just incompetent on clay; otherwise, his draw would be a dream pick for a clay-court specialist. But as his draw is rather favourable, anything can happen. Should I be proven wrong and Roddick does somehow chart a course to the final four – divine intervention netting the threats along his path, even – I still believe his performance should be kept in context of this tournament, as a one off and not an indication of greater glory to come in Paris.

So there you have it, a nice short break down for you of some of the exciting tennis betting options available at BetUS Sportsbook. Now that you are all read up, you are ready to start betting on tennis!

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