posted April 1, 2008 at 16:58 in Tennis Articles

Miami, Florida – The 96-strong playing field has been trimmed to 16 going in to today’s fourth round action at the Sony Ericsson Open and World No.1 Roger Federer and No.6 Andy Roddick are on course to setting up a blockbuster quarterfinal matchup.

But before the two-time Miami champion Roger Federer (2005-06) and 2004 Miami champion Andy Roddick can meet in the final eight, they need to win their respective matches today.

Now let me just put this out there for you tennis bettors anxious to bet on today’s line-up of matches at the Sony Ericsson Open: Federer will win his R16 contest. Yes, over the last months, ever since Federer fell in his opening match in Dubai to unseeded Scot Andy Murray and crashed out of the Indian Wells semifinal to Mardy Fish, discussion over Federer’s waning stardom has seen a revival.

The whispers first surfaced in Melbourne, when Federer was upset in the semifinal by rising Serbian sensation Novak Djokovic. A month later, with his second consecutive loss in a tournament – the second time in four months he has suffered back-to-back losses, discussion of his newfound vulnerability and imminent demise were incessant! Honestly, there seemed no end to the speculation! But does anyone realize this is the first time since 2000 the Swiss has failed to win a tournament within the first two months of a season – yes, take heed, that was eight years ago! Over the last eight years, he has won at least one tournament in the first two months of the season!!! That is staggering!

From such a viewpoint, Murray and Fish’s one-match win – equally so, Djokovic’s one-match win this season over the Swiss, seem to pale in significance to his illustrious career – that is by no means at an end. Not to insult Federer or their individual achievements of the aforementioned players, on the contrary, this is a compliment to the man who had us all convinced that it was indeed possible for one player to win all the time. He is human! (Cue: cheers!)

Cut to today’s tennis betting action: Next up for Roger Federer is Jose Acasuso of Argentina – a player against whom Federer owns a 2-0 lifetime record. Tipped at a whopping price tag of -2500, Federer is the huge favorite coming into this match and in spite of his recent mixed results in tournament play, few would bet against Federer to flounder at this stage. Yes, at +900 underdog odds Jose Acasuso is a tempting morsel for long shot bettors, but be warned – this one odds maker’s bait in the R16 has very slim odds of paying out. Acasuso is primarily a clay-courter—a surface where he has earned his career best results. On the hard courts of Miami, he has no chance against Federer. Do not go mistaking him for another average Joe like Mardy Fish. Remember the one common denominator between Djokovic and Murray, – even Fish to some extent – is that on hard courts they are solid, the former of the three being the best of them all.

Andy Roddick prepares for a stiffer challenge from Frenchman Julien Benneteau. Benneteau trails 1-2 in career head-to-heads against the Top American tennis player, but he owns the most recent victory – a quarterfinal win in Memphis (2006). However, they have not played since then and with the record over two years old, it carries little weight into their upcoming meeting.

A side note: Roddick recently announced his engagement to Sports Illustrated model Brooklyn Decker! (See: lucky guy). Love-struck Roddick will have an added incentive to pull through what may be potential a tough match for him at this stage –but win he will as losing to a player who ranks No.72 in the World is no way to impress your super model fiancée.

Aside from his fiancée cheers, the crowd should rally behind A-Rod and carry him through to the inevitable final eight billing slotted for the top half of the draw. Tipped at -650 on the money line, take Roddick to pull through to and set up what tournament directors and tennis betting fans are most looking forward to – another Federer vs. Roddick clash.

So there you have it.

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