Posted on 3/31/2008 7:35:13 PM

Tennis Betting ATP Miami Masters Series - Rafael Nadal and James Blake

By Nila Amerova

Miami, Florida – World No.2 Rafael Nadal and No.9 James Blake confirmed their places in the R16 after both won their third round contests. Nadal endured two rain delays to defeat Nicolas Kiefer 6-2, 6-4 on Sunday, meanwhile, Blake avenged an earlier loss to Fabrice Santoro, persevering in three sets 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-4. So with the matchups set in the bottom half of the draw, here is a look at the R16 tennis odds currently available at BetUS.

Match Time: 10:00 AM Eastern Time, Tuesday April 1st, 2008

Tennis Betting Line: Paul Henri Mathieu +350 Rafael Nadal -600

Tennis Prediction: Rafael Nadal moved into the R16 for the fourth time in five years in Miami. En route to the R16 after receiving a second round bye, Nadal topped two German players – Boris Becker in the R64 and Nicolas Kiefer in the R32. Moving a step closer in his bid for a first title in 2008, next up for the Spaniard is a big player in the form of No. 16 Paul-Henri Mathieu.

Nadal owns a comfortable 7-0 lifetime record over the Frenchman; the most recent contest between the pair was at the 2008 Australian Open in the R16. Mathieu retired midway through the match, down a set and 3-0 in the second. Perhaps their most memorable match was at the ATP Masters Series in Canada last year, when Mathieu took the first set 6-3, before allowing Nadal back into the match to win it eventually 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.

The Frenchman edged past Nadal’s compatriot, friend and mentor Carlos Moya in the R32 with a 7-6 (1) 7-5 victory. He has a big power game that could cause problems for Nadal, particularly on the hard courts in Miami. Should he string together a perfect game, Mathieu could very well deliver his first-ever win over the Spaniard in Miami.

Nadal lost to Novak Djokovic in the semifinals at Indian Wells just over a week ago when he was attempting to defend his title there. The last title Nadal won was in Stuttgart last summer. He is appearing in his twelfth tournament since his last title win in July. Indeed, a long drought for the World’s second ranked player and he will be anxious to advance further at the Sony Ericsson Open.

For this reason, his favorite odds at -600 with BetUS hold value. More importantly, Nadal is a good play against Mathieu, owing to his perfect lifetime record against the Frenchman.

Tennis Free Picks: Nadal in three sets

Tennis Betting Line: Radek Stepanek EV James Blake -140

Tennis Prediction: This could be a tricky match for the favoured American James Blake. Radek Stepanek is one of the true serve-and-vollyers of the ATP tour, a contrast to Blake's offensive baseline style of play, which he achieves through powerful forehands and aggressive shotmaking.

The last time the pair met was in 2007 in Los Angeles, Stepanek defeated Blake in an epic three-set match 7-6(7), 5-7, 6-2.

Both players arrived in Miami on the heels of a solid start to the season. Stepanek owns a 14-6 record, which includes a final appearance in San Jose and a semifinal run in Memphis. Meanwhile Blake enters with a 16-5 record for the season, which includes a final appearance at Delray Beach and three quarterfinal appearances – Australian Open, San Jose and ATP Masters Series in Indian Wells.

Blake is the odds makes favorite in this match and the crowd 's as well; with home court edge, this is his match to lose. He should win it.

Tennis Free Picks: Blake in straight sets

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