Posted on 1/22/2008 5:22:31 PM

Australian Open Quarterfinal Odds – Free Tennis Picks

By Nila Amerova

Melbourne, Australia – World No.2 Rafael Nadal, a -1800 bookmakers favourite at BetUS Sportsbook, became the first player to book his berth in the semifinal round yesterday, defeating Jarkko Nieminen in straight sets 7-5, 6-3, 6-1. In the second match in the bottom-half of the draw, No.38 Jo-Wilfred Tsonga, a +170 underdog, continued his Cinderella story at the Australian Open, defeating fourteenth seed Mikhail Youzhny in straight sets 7-5, 6-0, 7-6(6). With the semifinal matchup set in the bottom-half of the draw, the top-half of the draw takes centre stage today in Melbourne. Vying for a place in the semifinal is World No.1 and defending champion Roger Federer, No.3 Novak Djokovic, No.5 David Ferrer and No.15 James Blake.

Check out the Australian Open Quarterfinal Odds at BetUS and start betting on your favourite tennis players to advance in Melbourne.

Tennis Betting Line:

To win outright:

Roger Federer -7½ -120 -2000 Over 33½ -105

James Blake +7½ -120 +800 Under 33½ -135

To win the first set:

Roger Federer (1st Set) -1000

James Blake (1st Set) +500

Match Time: 3:30AM Eastern Time, Wednesday, 23 January 2008

Tennis Prediction: Handicapping this match should be a no-brainer. World No.1 Roger Federer enters this matchup with a comfortable 7-0 record over James Blake—a record consisting of matches that were decidedly, by-and-large, one-sided. In their seven meetings, Federer has only dropped one set against Blake, a tiebreak that ended 13-11 in favour of Blake at the quarterfinals of the 2006 US Open.

At -2000 favourite odds, Roger Federer is the likely bet for the Australian Open semifinals. Although, Federer was dragged into a fifth set by Janko Tipsarevic in the third round, the likelihood of Blake accomplishing such a feat is a long shot. Moreover, with the No.1 ranking on the line, Federer will be determined to continue his march into the final four in Melbourne, as he will be guaranteed to retain his perch on the apex of tennis if he advances into the semifinal.

This weekend in tennis betting has been unlike any other, as there were upsets of momentous proportions rippling through both the men and women’s draws, lending the romantic bettor perhaps added impetus to consider betting on Blake at +800 underdog odds. While it is true that all it takes is one upset at a tournament to act as a catalyst, stimulating other upsets in its wake, but betting on the ripple effects to trickle into this match is a long shot. The sure bet is Federer – no question about it!

Tennis Free Pick: Federer in straight sets

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