Posted on 10/23/2007 1:15:29 PM

Tennis Betting Federer and Nalbandian head to Basel

By Nila Amerova

Basel, Switzerland – After squaring off on Sunday in Madrid at the ATP Masters Series, both the Madrid Masters Champion, David Nalbandian and Finalist, Roger Federer head to Basel, Switzerland – Federer’s birthplace. Once again World No.1 Roger Federer arrives as the defending champion in an event (he was the defending champion in Madrid), and to make matters interesting in Basel, both Nalbandian and Federer sit in the same half of the draw with a chance to meet in the semifinal.

Tennis Line: Roger Federer    -10000        Michael Berrer    +1800 
Match Time: 06:00 A.M. EST

Tennis Prediction – Favored at the outrageous price tag of -10000, betting on Federer holds no value. To be sure Federer will win this match, no ifs or buts about it, however, betting $10,000 to win $100 hardly seems worth it even if it will be a winning bet.

Tennis Free Pick – Federer in straight sets.

Tennis Line: David Nalbandian    -200         Stanislas Wawrinka    +150 
Match Time: 06:00 A.M. EST

Tennis Prediction: This match will be a real tough test for No. 18 David Nalbandian, for in Stanislas Wawrinka, Nalbandian draws the tournaments only other Swiss and a player with whom Nalbandian trails 2-3 in head-to-head records. Wawrinka notched his victories over Nalbandian in their last three meetings since the 2006 ATP Masters Series in Cincinnati. Their most recent meeting in Vienna; Wawrinka battled back from a set down to take the match 5-7, 6-3, 6-1.

On a three-match winning streak against Nalbandian, Wawrinka at +150 holds good value to improve to 4-2 against Nalbandian, particularly as their upcoming match gives Wawrinka home court advantage. The balance tips in favor of Wawrinka for an upset; however, it is not a sure play.

Of course, Nalbandian arrives in Basel on the heels of a momentous victory in Madrid, defeating World No.1 Roger Federer for the title, and as such at -200 favorite odds, he would be a good play for the win. He should arrive in Basel, with his confidence reinstated.

Having not participated in many tournaments this season and in spite of winning the title in Madrid, Nalbandian, however, is not a sure bet in this match up. After all last week was a momentous week for the Argentinean, one that could easily be overwhelmingly exhausting. In winning the title last week, Nalbandian played six consecutive matches, of which, three matches were against the top three players No.2 Rafael Nadal, No.3 Novak Djokovic and No.1 Roger Federer on the tour and three matches were three-setters (including the final against Roger Federer); and in doing so, he became only the third player in history to beat the world’s top three players in consecutive matches to win a title.

If Nalbandian’s season were to give any indication, it does not bode well for the likelihood of back-to-back impressive runs in a tournament for Nalbandian.

Tennis Free Pick – Wawrinka in straight sets.

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