Posted on 10/23/2007 8:16:08 PM

Tennis Betting: ST Petersburg Open – First Round Picks

By Nila Amerova

St Petersburg, Russia – BetUS Sportsbook is offering tennis odds on the St. Petersburg Open this week. In competition for the St. Petersburg title, to name a few, are [1] Nikolay Davydenko, [2] Andy Murray, [3] Mikhail Youzhny and [4] Potito Starace.

Join BetUS as we track the action unfolding in St. Petersburg and bet on some of the stellar tennis match ups that are shaping up.

To get you started betting on tennis this week; here is a choice tennis free pick for the first round head-to-head set to kick off on Wednesday, October 24, 2007.

Tennis Line: Nikolay Davydenko -1600 Filippo Volandri +700

Match Time: 05:00 A.M. EST

Tennis Prediction: Davydenko and Volandri have met five times in their careers; Davydenko leads 3-2, with all three victories against Volandri secured on clay.

Davydenko arrives in St. Petersburg after missing the ATP Masters Series in Madrid; Davydenko withdrew from the Madrid AMS with an elbow injury. His form could be questionable for tomorrows match up.

At -1600, Davydenko is a solid bet for the win – albeit an expensive one. One of the most consistent performers on the ATP tour, Davydenko may not win many major tournaments, but on home turf, in a lesser-known tournament, he is a favorite for the title.

For a third consecutive time, Davydenko won the Kremlin Cup in Moscow two weeks ago and this week Davydenko embarks on his St. Petersburg campaign – an event he has never won. In his four attempts in St Petersburg, Davydenko’s best result was a quarterfinal appearance in 2005 (lost to Nicolas Kiefer). Will Davydenko find his mojo this year in St. Petersburg?

Volandri will be a tough competitor. But unlike Davydenko’s impressive season (at 50/27, which includes one ATP title), Volandri has been slumping this season, bringing a meager 19/23 record into this match.

At +700 underdog odds, Volandri is a long shot bet. A risky bet to make, but should the injury that forced Davydenko to skip last weeks’ Madrid AMS persist throughout this week’s tournament, betting against Davydenko may just be the way to go. With long odds on Volandri, this match would be a good one to play the underdog on.

In spite of Davydenko’s uncertain form, under the best of circumstances he is the better play. Here is hoping his elbow does not go all funny in this match and he perseveres to compete another day in St. Petersburg.

Tennis Free Pick: Davydenko in three sets.

Federer might be winning everything except clay these days, but with online sports betting in the BetUS.com Sportsbook, betting on tennis has never been so exciting! Join the BetUS.com online sportsbook today and start using the latest tennis lines, odds and props to earn cold, hard cash!

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