Posted on 3/28/2008 6:24:37 PM

Tennis Betting ATP Masters Series Miami Odds

By Nila Amerova

Miami, Florida – Russian duo No.4 Nikolay Davydenko and No.11 Mikhail Youzhny fall into the same quarter of the draw as No.5 David Ferrer of Spain and Scot, No.13 Andy Murray. Indeed, a tough section of the draw, but one that offers up some scintillating matchups for tennis bettors to bet on. With the aforementioned seeded players starting their bid for the title in Miami on Saturday, March 28, 2008, BetUS is already running live odds for their matches. So as the weekend approaches, don’t miss out on all the exciting tennis betting we have in store for you. Here is a look at these four favourites and their upcoming matches in the R64 at the 2008 Sony Ericsson Open.

Tennis Betting Line: Thomas Johansson +200 David Ferrer -300

Analysis: No.5 David Ferrer’s enjoyed a breakthrough season last year, winning three titles (Auckland, Bastad and Tokyo) and finishing runner-up at the Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai (l. to Roger Federer). In 2008, Ferrer has gotten off to a solid start, posting three quarterfinal appearances in three of the five tournaments he contested, namely the 2008 Australian Open. At -300, Ferrer is a good play.

No.60 Thomas Johansson is one those one-hit-wonders that every sport boasts of; in 2002, the Swede came out of nowhere to win the Australian Open and then returned to whence he came from. Since then, Johansson – a one-time Grand Slam titlist – has achieved less than remarkable results. He should fold against Ferrer with relative ease.

Tennis Free Picks: Ferrer in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: Nikolay Davydenko -450 Ernest Gulbis +275

Analysis: Ernest Gulbis is the ATP circuit’s promise for the future. The Latvian has been earmarked by experts as one to watch in the future. At present though, Gulbis is a long shot against the rather underrated Nikolay Davydenko. Davydenko has to be one of the more consistent performers on the Tour. The Russian has oscillated between the No.3 to No.5 ranking since breaking into the Top 5 on September 11, 2006. Not synonymous with major titles per se, he manages to factor consistently deep in most tournaments he contests. As such, he is a good play in this match.

Tennis Free Picks: Davydenko in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: Mario Ancic +180 Andy Murray -240

Analysis: This is a marquee matchup in the R64. Former Top 10 player Mario Ancic is better than his current ranking would suggest. Currently weighing in at No.63, Ancic has fluctuating in the rankings since he suffered from mono in the spring and incurred a wrist injury in the fall of the 2007. In 2008, Ancic started the year racing out of the blocks. In his first tournament in Marseille in February, Ancic came out gunning and en route to the final he shocked Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Teimuraz Gabashvilli, Robin Soderling and Marcos Baghdatis, before losing to Andy Murray in the final. Ancic followed up with a semifinal run in his home event in Zagreb (l. to Ivan Ljubicic) and last week he fell to Juan Carlos Ferrero in the R32 at Indian Wells.

Now let me put this out there: Ancic can pose a real threat to Andy Murray, and having already lost to him once this season (in Marseille),Ancic has earned a second shot at the Scot. Should he take a page from his 6-4, 6-3 loss to Murray, Ancic may be able to string a game that could knock Murray of his stride, handing him his third opening match-loss this season! Seriously, at +180 underdog odds, I like Ancic’s chances.

Tennis Free Picks: Ancic in three sets

Tennis Betting Line: Mikhail Youzhny -400 Bobby Reynolds +250

Analysis: No.104 Bobby Reynolds was fortunate to draw hard-up Marat Safin in his opening match. His progress into the second round was hardly a surprise considering Safin has been struggling horribly this season; but his victory earned him a second round matchup against another Russian – one who is faring a whole lot better. Ranked in the Top 20, Youzhny owns a 13/5 record for the season, which includes one ATP title (Chennai). The versatile Russian should deliver on his favorite odds with relative ease.

Tennis Free Picks: Youzhny in straight sets

Federer might be winning everything except clay these days, but with online sports betting in the BetUS.com Sportsbook, betting on tennis has never been so exciting! Join the BetUS.com online sportsbook today and start using the latest tennis lines, odds and props to earn cold, hard cash!

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