Posted on
2/21/2008 7:55:27 PM
Tennis Betting - Copa Telmex Quarter-Final Picks
By Nila Amerova
Buenos Aires, Argentina – At the Copa Telmex, unlike their counterparts competing on the European leg of the ATP tour, the seeds fared much better than. Top seed David Nalbandian confirmed his berth in the final eight, along with fourth seed Juan Ignacio Chela, fifth seed Nicolas Almagro, sixth seed Igor Andreev, seventh seed Potito Starace and eighth seed Filippo Volandri. With a place in Saturday’s semi-final on the line, check out the tennis odds at BetUS Sportsbook for the Copa Telmex quarter-final set to kick-off on Friday, February 22, 2008.
Tennis Betting Line: Juan-Ignacio Chela +115 Nicolas Almagro -155
Match Time: 11AM Eastern Time, Friday February 22, 2008
Tennis Prediction: No.29 Nicolas Almagro is coming off a title victory in Costa do Sauipe on Sunday. The Brasil Open marks Almagro’s fourth career ATP title and first this season. Almagro secured his berth in the quarter-final of the Copa Telmex with two tough rounds, a close 7-6(5), 7-6(2) victory in the first round over Martin Arguello Vassallo of Argentina and a 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 victory over compatriot Oscar Hernandez.
Riding a seven-match winning streak, Almagro will try to extend to eight consecutive matches against Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentina. On paper, Almagro is the better play, owing to his recent title run; but he barely squeaked by with the victory in the first round in Buenos Aires, and he was pushed to a third set against a passable player in the second round. He is not looking as sharp as he did last week in Brazil. At -155, Almagro is the bookies favorite to advance. He is a good play, but not a sure play.
No.25 Chela will be the crowd favorite, and as this is his home turf, he has a much-needed edge against Almagro who is enjoying a winning streak. In head-to-heads, they are tied at 1-1, with the most recent victory going the way of Almagro in 2007, at this very same event. Chela will be seeking to avenge the loss in the quarter-final last year. Chela has been struggling of late, and aside from reaching the second round in Auckland, in two other attempts, Chela crashed out of the first round of a tournament. His quarter-final appearance at the Copa Telmex marks his best run to date this season. While betting on Chela would not be an outrageous bet, I would wager on the player riding the winning streak at this stage—Almagro.
Tennis Free Picks: Almagro in three sets
Tennis Betting Line: David Nalbandian -500 Potito Starace +300
Match Time: 11:00 AM Eastern Time, February 22, 2008
Tennis Prediction: This is the first-ever meeting between Argentinean No.11 David Nalbandian and Italy’s No.35 Potito Starace. At -500 favorite odds, Nalbandian is the better play, particularly as he is competing in front of a partisan crowd who will be sure to spur him on to a victory tomorrow. As the top seed in the tournament, Nalbandian is also the pre-tournament favorite for the title and with defending champion Juan Monaco of Argentina ousted in the first round, Nalbandian is the short-odds-on favorite for the title.
Tennis Free Picks: Nalbandian in straight sets
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Nila Amerova is a freelance sports writer and regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room