Posted on
1/18/2008 8:29:26 PM
Australian Open Betting – Men’s Third Round Tennis Free Picks
By Nila Amerova
Melbourne, Australia – The third round of the men’s top half of the draw kicks off today and BetUS has already released odds on all the matchups. Here are some free tennis picks for the Australian Open.
Tennis Betting Line:
Marin Cilic +4½ -120 +175 Over 38½ -120
Fernando Gonzalez -4½ -120 -225 Under 38½ -120
Tennis Prediction: Marin Cilic is a very talented young player, who over the last two seasons has steadily climbed the rankings. Currently No.57 in the World, Cilic in the first round upset Nicolas Almagro, seeded 27 in the tournament, and followed up with a victory in the second round over Jurgen Melzer.
Prior to arriving at the Australian Open, Marin Cilic advanced to the semifinal round of the Chennai Open, lost to Mikhail Youzhny, the eventual champion and reached the second round in Auckland, lost to Philipp Kohlschreiber, again the champion of the event. Cilic could give last year’s finalist a real tough match, perhaps even end his run prematurely.
Tennis Free Picks: Cilic in four sets
Tennis Betting Line:
Vincent Spadea +8½ -110 +1000 Over 29½ -110
David Ferrer -8½ -130 -3000 Under 29½ -130
Tennis Prediction: One of the hottest Top 10 players, David Ferrer is the heavy favourite in this match. He is without question the better play.
Tennis Free Picks: Ferrer in straight sets.
Tennis Betting Line: David Nalbandian -5 -115 -225 Juan Carlos Ferrero +5 -125 +175
Tennis Prediction: Tied at two in head-to-heads, this matchup is potentially closer than the odds would suggest. While they have not met since 2005, they both have much to recommend them in this match. Nalbandian finished the 2007 season on high, defeating the Top three players—Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic—at the ATP Masters in Madrid; and in Paris, Nalbandian defeated Roger Federer for a second time, thereby salvaging a season that up to that point had been rather lacklustre. However, both the AMS Paribas and Madrilena are indoor events and Nalbandian is a better indoor hard court player than outdoor. With external variables factoring in an outdoor match, Nalbandian is slightly more vulnerable, however does that add up to a Ferrero edge?
Tennis Free Picks: Nalbandian in four sets
Tennis Betting Line: Lleyton Hewitt +1½ -110 +115 Marcos Baghdatis -1½ -130 -155
Tennis Betting Line: No.16 Marcos Baghdatis holds a 1-0 lead over Australia’s No.22 Lleyton Hewitt. The 2006 Australian Open finalist is a crowd favourite in Australia, almost enjoying a home court-like advantage down under. With both players enjoying no shortage of fans, this matchup should be exciting. For Hewitt, this should be his first real test in Melbourne Park. Baghdatis arrives into the third round, having survived a tough battle against temperamental Marat Safin, the 2005 Australian Open champion. Both players have much to recommend them in this matchup, however, if Coach Tony Roche has done well by his new charge (Roche used to coach Roger Federer), then the balance should tip in the favour of Hewitt.
Tennis Free Picks: Hewitt in five sets
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Nila Amerova is a freelance sports writer and regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room.