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posted March 27, 2008 at 15:57 in Tennis Free Picks

Miami, Florida – In the bottom half of the draw, World No.2 Rafael Nadal is preparing to contest his opening match of the Sony Ericsson Open. Arriving in Miami, bereft of titles in 2008, this is Nadal’s last chance in the early portion of the season to vie for a hard court title before the ATP Tour heads to his beloved clay courts. Nadal’s quarter is not the easiest of the tournament, with threats in fellow Majorcan Carlos Moya, Jarkko Nieminen and Paul-Henri Mathieu, along with several up-and-comers worthy of note, namely Marin Cilic of Croatia.

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Tournament play starts at 10AM Eastern Time, Friday March 28, 2008.

Tennis betting Line: Paul-Henri Mathieu vs. Marin Cilic

Tennis Prediction: No.16 Paul-Henri Mathieu of France prepares to meet one of the rising stars on the men’s circuit in the form of No.44 Marin Cilic, most memorable for his upset of 2007 Australian Open finalist Fernando Gonzalez in Melbourne earlier this year. However, since his impressive turnout in this year’s first Grand Slam event, Cilic’s performance has been on a bit of a decline, reaching no further than the second round (two-times) in his subsequent four events. Cilic does have the game to surprise Mathieu, but the Frenchman should draw on his experience and skill to edge past Cilic.

Tennis Free Pick: Mathieu in straight sets

Tennis betting Line: Nicolas Mahut vs. Carlos Moya

Tennis Prediction: No.21 Carlos Moya of Spain enters this matchup with a 10-7 record for the season, which includes a semifinal run in Chennai (hard) and a final appearance in Costa do Sauipe (clay). Last week in Indian Wells, he fell in the R32 to James Blake.

No.43 Nicolas Mahut brings an 8-7 record for the season, after defeating Germany’s Florian Mayer in the first round 7-6(6), 6-3. Last week in Indian Wells, Mahut advanced into the R32, where he lost to Roger Federer in a disappointing fashion: 6-1, 6-1 read the score line. A confidence killer! I don’t expect Mahut to string together a game that would upset the favorite Moya. Take Moya to advance into the third round.

Tennis Free Pick: Moya in straight sets

Tennis betting Line: Jarkko Nieminen vs. Nikolas Kiefer

Tennis Prediction: In four tournament appearances this year, Nicolas Kiefer has advanced no further than the second round. He arrives in Miami on the heels of a first round exit in Indian Wells (l. to Dud Sela). The struggling Kiefer has had a run of bad luck thus far, and with a second round matchup against No.26 Jarkko Nieminen, it may be too soon to bet on him to turn-around his luck. Take Nieminen for the win.

Tennis Free Pick: Nieminen in straight sets

Tennis betting Line: Benjamin Becker vs. Rafael Nadal

Tennis Prediction: World No.2 Rafael Nadal should win this match handily. Entering the second round with a 16-5 record for the season, which includes a final appearance in Chennai, two semifinal appearances – Australian Open and Indian Wells, and a quarterfinal appearance in Dubai (the only mar on his season was a second round exit in Rotterdam), Nadal is hands down the better play.

Tennis Free Pick: Nadal in straight sets.

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