Posted on 1/18/2008 8:08:19 PM

Australian Open Betting – Women’s Fourth Round Picks

By Nila Amerova

Melbourne, Australia – The Australian Open Round of 16 is set to start on Saturday, January 19, 2008. Only a victory away from the quarterfinal round, the final 16 women prepare to vie for the coveted eight berths. In the top-half of the draw, the matchups have been determined and for all you tennis-betting fans, BetUS Sportsbook is currently offering live tennis odds for these matchups. So don’t wait and get your tennis betting thrills now. Here are some free Australian Open Tennis Picks for the eight women in that section of the draw.

(Since the start of the Australian Open, Nila Amerova, a freelance writer and regular tennis sports betting contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room owns a 32/7 win/loss record in free tennis picks— the most recent winning tennis pick for the Australian Open was predicting the upset of heavy favourite Andy Roddick in the third round. Philipp Kohlschreiber (a +400 underdog with BetUS) upset [6] Andy Roddick (a-700 favourite with BetUS) 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(9), 6-7(5), 8-7.)

Tennis Betting Line: Elena Dementieva +300 Maria Sharapova -500

Tennis Prediction: No.5 Maria Sharapova owns a comfortable 7-2 record over compatriot No.11 Elena Dementieva – a record that includes victories on hard, clay and grass. Sharapova, who was plagued with injuries for most of last year, returned to the tour at the year-end showdown—the Tour Championships, and enjoyed a sensational run all the way to the final round, where she faced-off against World No.1 Justine Henin. While Sharapova lost the match, she dispelled any nagging doubts about her form or desire to reach the apex of tennis.

Sharapova’s campaign at the Australian Open has been thus far a determined exhibition of power tennis. Sharapova fell into the same section of the draw as her nemesis, Justine Henin, and with an opportunity to set up a potential rematch in the quarterfinal, Sharapova should quash Dementieva’s attempts to advance and secure the much-anticipated rematch against Henin.

Tennis Free Picks: Sharapova in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: Justine Henin -5000 Su Wei Hsieh +1200

Tennis Prediction: Justine Henin is a brilliant technical and strategic player. One of the best on court thinkers, Henin sees and understands the game better than most of her counterparts on the tour. As the heavy favourite in this matchup, she is the best play. No doubt about it!

Tennis Free Picks: Henin in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: Nicole Vaidisova +200 Serena Williams -300

Tennis Prediction: While most pundits will bet on Serena Williams—and with reason, as she defied all the odds last year by winning the Australian Open— I will go on record by wagering that Nicole Vaidisova will upset the 2007 Australian Open champion in tomorrow’s match.

Indeed, the short odds favourite Serena Williams, priced at -300, is a good play for the win, having already beaten the young Czech teenager in all three career meetings; but their last meeting was a close contest, going the way of Serena Williams 6-4, 7-6(7).

Vaidisova, tipped at +200 underdog odds, holds value. Aside from having the power to hang in a match against a very intimidating Serena Williams, Vaidisova’s serve is one of the biggest strengths of her game. Add to that an all-court game and a forehand shot that when placed perfectly is untouchable, Vaidisova has all the right ingredients to orchestrate the upset.

Tennis Free Picks: Vaidisova in three sets

Tennis Betting Line: Jelena Jankovic -500 Casey Dellacqua +300

Tennis Prediction: Always a crowd favourite Jelena Jankovic may find herself playing against not only Casey Dellacqua but also a crowd who will try to spur one of their own. Dellacqua enters the R16 after having upset Amelie Mauresmo, and her Australian Open fans will try to carry her through another tough match. But while Jankovic will not be the overwhelming crowd favourite, she is the bookies favourite. At -500 favourite odds, she is the better play.

Tennis Free Picks: Jankovic in three sets.

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