Posted on 3/19/2008 9:51:03 PM

Tennis Betting ATP Masters Series Indian Wells Fourth Round Odds

By Nila Amerova

Indian Wells, CA – Only a victory away from the quarterfinals at the ATP Masters Series in Indian Wells, World No.1 Roger Federer prepares to contest a place in the final eight against Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia, meanwhile, Mardy Fish, who upset fourth seed Nikolay Davydenko yesterday will face former World No.1 Lleyton Hewitt for his berth in the final eight. Bet on the Pacific Life Open with BetUS. Tennis odds for all the matchups are already in full swing, so check out the free tennis picks below and start betting at BetUS.

Tennis Betting Line:

Match Time: 06:30 PM Eastern Time, Wednesday March 19, 2008

To win Outright: Mardy Fish +160 Lleyton Hewitt -210

To win first Set: Mardy Fish (1st Set) +125 Lleyton Hewitt (1st Set) -165

Tennis Prediction: Mardy Fish is on course to posting one of his best performances at an ATP Masters Series event. The last time, Fish arrived into the R16 at Indian Wells was in 2004, where he lost to Roger Federer in straight sets. Since then, his best run was a R32 appearance in 2006. Last year Fish was dismissed in his opening match in the R64 (lost to Paul-Henri Mathieu).

There is no question the American, who currently ranks just within the Top 100, is enjoying his best performance at a major event this year. Before the Pacific Life Open, Fish reached the R32 at the Australian Open and his best tournament performance came in San Jose, where he made a quarterfinal appearance (lost to Andy Roddick).

In his quarter of the draw, Fish was not the player slotted to emerge in the R16 and contest for a berth in the quarterfinal. Davydenko was heavily favoured for that enviable spot, but after posting a convincing 6-3, 6-2 triumph over the Russian in the third round, Fish earned a second shot at reaching the quarterfinal of this event.

Lleyton Hewitt who clinched back-to-back titles at this event in 2002-03, will be a tough opponent for the American. Tipped at -210 on the money line, Hewitt is the bookies favorite for the win. I would agree with the odds makers – taking Hewitt to advance is a smart play. But Fish is playing with confidence and that added to his home court edge could be enough to upset the favorite. At +160, Fish is a bit of a long shot, but holds value.

Tennis Free Picks: Hewitt in three sets

Tennis Betting Line:

Match Time: 11:30 PM Eastern Time, Wednesday March 19, 2008

To win Outright: Roger Federer (1st Set) -1200 Ivan Ljubicic (1st Set) +600

To win first Set: Roger Federer -2500 Over 19½ -150 Ivan Ljubicic +900 Under 19½ +110

Tennis Prediction: After posting a nigh perfect 6-1, 6-1 triumph over Nicolas Mahut in the third round, Roger Federer seems to have reclaimed his high-flying form. After suffering back-to-back losses and failing to lift a title in the first two months of a season since 2000, questions abounded and Federer was all but scandalously dismissed as a has been and all too quickly proponents of the end were more than enthusiastic to herald its advent – a career on the decline they screamed! Rather a shabby way to treat a hero of our sport – don’t you think? Now since it became known that Federer had been suffering from mononucleosis, his losses no longer appear to be a sign of a shifting tide in the world of tennis. The naysayer silenced.

At the Pacific Life Open, Federer enters the fourth round without having dropped a set. The good old days are back. Against Mahut, he executed a perfect game – a typical game that we have become so used to seeing from the maestro – relinquishing only two games to the Frenchman in a match that took him just under an hour to close.

At -1200 favorite odds, Federer is the outright favorite in this match and with an 11-3 lifetime record over Ljubicic – Ljubicic has not beaten Federer in eight straight matches since 2005 – he is the sure play.

Tennis Free Picks: Federer in straight sets

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