Posted on 3/18/2008 10:27:00 AM

Tennis Betting - ATP Pacific Life Open First Round

By Nila Amerova

Indian Wells, CA – The reason why betting on men’s tennis has gained momentum and risen in popularity worldwide is because of the depth and talent on the ATP circuit. In the last month, three ATP titles were lifted by players who made it out of the qualifying rounds. First Kei Nishikori of Japan qualified in Delray Beach and defeated James Blake in the final to win his maiden ATP tile. Then lucky loser Sergiy Stakhovsky, who lost in the final round of qualifying in Zagreb but advanced into the main draw when a player withdrew, took advantage of his good fortune and won his maiden ATP title a fortnight ago. Finally, last week, Sam Querrey emerged from the qualifying rounds to seize his maiden crown in Las Vegas, defeating another qualifier in the process – Kevin Anderson of South Africa.

The potential for upsets and surprise results at the Pacific Life Open – more so on the ATP than the WTA tour – offers tennis bettors speculating on the up-coming matchups some intriguing payouts if their gamble wins. So, with more first round matches to be played on Friday March 14, 2008, here is a look at a few that offer some good value.

Tennis Betting Line: Evgeny Korolev +110 Nicolas Mahut -150

Match Time:01:00 PM Eastern Time, Friday March 14, 2008

Tennis Prediction: At +110, Evgeny Korolev’s price tag makes for a tempting bet. Korolev warmed-up for this event last week in Las Vegas and defeated Top seed Fernando Gonzalez en route to a quarterfinal appearance. The 20-year-old Russian is ear-marked for a great future in tennis. Currently ranked within the Top 100, Korolev has the game to upset the favoured Nicolas Mahut of France.

Tennis Free Pick: Korolev in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: Florian Mayer +220 Mardy Fish -330

Match Time: :01:00 PM Eastern Time, Friday March 14, 2008

Tennis Prediction: Favored at -330, American Mardy Fish is a good bet in this match up, particularly as he has enjoyed some successes in domestic events. In Delray Beach and San Jose, Fish made back-to-back quarterfinal appearances. In Memphis, Fish came lost to fellow American Roddick in the second round. In Indian Wells, his fourth domestic and sixth overall tournament, Fish is good play in the early couple of rounds.

Tennis Free Pick: Fish in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: Jurgen Melzer EV Marat Safin -140

Match Time: :01:00 PM Eastern Time, Friday March 14, 2008

Tennis Prediction: Russian Marat Safin has seen his ranking over the past year decline, and the start of his 2008 campaign has yet to give indication of a turn-around on the horizon. Arriving with a 1-3 record in Indian Wells ,the hard-up Safin is not a sure favorite in this match up. Safin started his season at the Australian Open where he fell in the second round to Marcos Baghdatis. In his subsequent two events – Memphis and Las Vegas – Safin crashed out of the first round. Lifetime, Safin trails 1-2 against No.85 Jurgen Melzer of Austria. In spite of all this, I would go with the odds makers in this matchup and take Safin – call me sentimental, but I the two-time Grand Slam champion Safin has what it takes to beat Melzer. He just needs to find it in tomorrow’s match.

Tennis Free Pick: Safin in three sets

Tennis Betting Line: Sergio Roitman +175 Guillermo Garcia Lopez -225

Match Time: 01:00 PM Eastern Time, Friday March 14, 2008

Tennis Prediction: No.62 Guillermo Garcia Lopez enters Indian Wells with an 8-5 record which is comprised of some notable performances by his standards: Chennai quarterfinal (l. to Nadal), Australian Open R32 (l. to Tsonga) and San Jose (l. to Roddick). Having posted some good results, losing largely to quality players, at -225 he would appear to be a good wager in his first round matchup.

Tennis Free Pick: Garcia-Lopez in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: Gilles Simon -550 Carlos Berlocq +325

Match Time: 01:00 PM Eastern Time, Friday March 14, 2008

Tennis Prediction: No.33 Gilles Simon of France at -550 is the better play for the win. Lifetime he holds a 1-0 record over No.78 Carlos Berlocq of Argentina; he enters Indian Wells with a 9-6 record for the season, which includes a quarterfinal run in Marseille and a semifinal appearance in Rotterdam. Contesting his first US event of the season, Simon should advance into the second round.

Tennis Free Pick: Simon in straight sets

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