Posted on
4/30/2008 6:44:38 PM
Tennis Betting - Barcelona 2008 Open 3rd Round Picks
By Nila Amerova
Barcelona, Spain – Online betting faithful are looking for some value bets and good angles of profit can turn to the tennis betting market. BetUS Sportsbook is taking action on several tennis tournaments this week, namely on the Barcelona 2008 Open, which features three Top ten players in Rafael Nadal, David Ferrer and David Nalbandian – who also happen to be exceptional clay-courters. So with the betting market on tennis heating up, the tournament moving closer towards its high point, here are some choice tennis predictions for some of the upcoming matchups scheduled for tomorrows round of tennis betting action.
Tennis Betting Line: Stanislas Wawrinka vs. David Nalbandian
Match Time: 06:00 AM Eastern Tim, Thursday May 1, 2008
Tennis Prediction: The matchup between Stanislas Wawrinka and David Nalbandian is an interesting and much anticipated match, for the Swiss, Wawrinka, who ranks No.27 in the World, holds the edge over No.7 David Nalbandian of Argentina with a 4-2 lifetime record. In their six career encounters, they met only once on clay – in the first round of the 2006 Roland Garros. Nalbandian won the match in straight sets, but the score was tight 6-2, 7-6(5), 6-4. More importantly, after losing to Nalbandian at the French Open, Wawrinka went on to win all four subsequent matchups. If their record were an indication, this match should prove to be another close contest. Nalbandian has the edge on the surface, but Wawrinka, who leads in head-to-heads and is on a four-match winning streak against the Argentine, has the confidence to go one better. So how should tennis handicappers bet on this match?
Based on their performance in the 2008 season, I like Nalbandian’s chances against Wawrinka, in particular, because their upcoming encounter is on clay. Nalbandian enters the Barcelona draw after reaching the quarterfinals in Monte Carlo last week. Aside from reaching the final eight of the ATP Masters Series, in two previous clay court events contested this year, Nalbandian won one title (Buenos Aires) and finished runner-up in Acapulco. Nalbandian has enjoyed a lot of success this year on clay, making him the player to beat in this matchup.
Tennis Free Picks: Nalbandian in three sets
Tennis Betting Line: Nicolas Lapentti +450 David Ferrer -900
Match Time: 06:00 AM Eastern Tim, Thursday May 1, 2008
Tennis Prediction: Tipped at -900 on the money line, second seed David Ferrer is a steep favorite for the win. In his opening match, Ferrer topped compatriot Gabriel Trujillo-Soler convincingly 6-1, 6-1, dropping just ten points on serve throughout the match and converting seven break chances to wrap up the victory in just over 45 minutes. Heck, Ferrer did not stay on court long enough to gather enough of the red dust on his person. If his opening match were an indication of what is to come, then Lapentti is even more of a long-shot bet than his odds would suggest. Although Lapentti spends the bulk of the year contesting clay court tournaments, he would have to string together a mercurial game to topple Ferrer.
Tennis Free Picks: Ferrer in straight sets
BetUS Sportsbook is taking action on the French Open with the men’s French Open Futures. Check out the futures odds and start betting on the second Grand Slam of the year now!
Nila Amerova is a freelance sports writer and regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room.