posted April 22, 2008 at 17:58 in Tennis Free Picks

Monte Carlo, Monaco – Three-time defending champion Rafael Nadal is chasing history at the ATP Masters Series in Monte Carlo: to win his fourth consecutive title. To kick off his defence campaign he meets Croatian Mario Ancic in the second round. The matchup between Nadal vs. Ancic is just one of many line-ups already confirmed in the second round that the online sports betting community can bet on at BetUS Sportsbook. So with so much action in tennis this week only a mouse-click away, here is an analysis of the second round, complete with betting predictions and free tennis picks to get you started wagering on tennis.

Tennis Betting Line: Mario Ancic +650 Rafael Nadal -1400

Match Time: 04:00 AM Eastern Time, Wednesday April 23, 2008

Tennis Prediction: Rafael Nadal is the short-odds-on-favorite to emerge from this matchup as the winner – if not to take the whole tournament. Tipped at -1400 against No.55 Mario Ancic, the World No.2 Rafael Nadal is the steep favorite. Recommending his pricey odds is a 22-6 mark for the season and a 107-3 mark on clay over the last three years.

Nadal enters this matchup as the only Top 5 elite player yet to win a title in 2008. The pressure on him will be great in his season debut on clay, as sports bettors will be anxious to follow his performance during the course of the clay portion of the season, leading up to the French Open. (Nadal is the three-time defending champion in three big events on clay: ATP Masters Series Monte Carlo, Barcelona ATP Masters Series Rome and French Open.) With so many titles to defend over the next month and a half, I would expect Nadal to be tentative, perhaps nervous in his opener. This could bring about a scrappy opening match. Moreover, Mario Ancic is a former Top 10 player trying to reclaim the glory of his 2006 season. He is a tough opponent. He should give the King of Clay, Nadal a real battle. In the end though, I expect Nadal to persevere for the victory.

Tennis Free Picks: Nadal in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: Philipp Kohlschreiber -160 Nicolas Kiefer +120

Match Time: 04:00 AM Eastern Time, April 22, 2008

Tennis Prediction: In this all-German affair, No.31 Philipp Kohlschreiber enters as the favorite; meanwhile, No.44 Nicolas Kiefer, the veteran player of the two, arrives as the underdog. Tipped at -160, I like Kohlschreiber’s odds against his compatriot. Kohlschreiber brings a 13-7 mark for the year and 1 ATP title. Kohlschreiber also enjoys the slow clay court surface, giving him an added advantage.

Kiefer is the owner of a 1-0 lifetime record over Kohlschreiber, a victory he earned in 2005 at the ATP Masters Series in Hamburg (clay). However, 2008 sees Kiefer with a 5-5 mark; his best run was a R32 at the ATP Masters Series in Miami (l. to Nadal). He is a long shot bet.

Tennis Free Picks: Kohlschreiber in straight sets

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