Posted on 4/18/2008 2:08:20 PM

Tennis Betting Odds - Family Circle Cup Quarterfinal Picks

By Nila Amerova

Charleston, South Carolina – While the big story at the Family Circle Cup, overshadowing the rest, is the upcoming matchup between Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova, tennis bettors have the added opportunity to bet online at BetUS Sportsbook on the other three quarterfinal matchups scheduled for tomorrow. Indeed, for sports bettors aside, from an appetizing schedule of play, finding tennis odds that offer good value is the primary objective. So to satisfy the taste for tennis betting thrills, here is a breakdown of the other three matchups in the final eight of the Family Circle Cup.

Tennis Betting Line: Jelena Jankovic vs. Vera Zvonareva

Tennis Prediction: The quarterfinal encounter between No.5 Jelena Jankovic of Serbia and No. 17 Vera Zvonareva of Russia is the second meeting between the pair this season. Prior to the Family Circle Cup, they met in Miami in the Sony Ericsson Open semifinal. Jankovic won that encounter handily 6-1, 6-4. After winning in Miami, Jankovic pulled ahead 3-2 lifetime against Zvonareva.

Jankovic enters this tournament as its reigning queen, so in Zvonareva’s second shot against Jankovic, the Serbian will carry the burden of pressure, more so than she did in Miami. This could alter the dynamic of their matchup. Jankovic is the bookies short-odds-on favorite to emerge into the semifinal, but Zvonareva owns the only victory between the pair on clay (Rome, 2005).

On paper, both players have had an exceptional season, arriving in Charleston with 20 match-wins apiece, the only differential was Jankovic , with 7 match-losses for the year had one more match loss than Zvonareva. This will be tough battle between two of the tours most consistent performers, but I cannot help like Zvonareva’s chances this time around.

Tennis Free Picks: Zvonareva in three sets

Tennis Betting Line: Agnes Szavay vs. Alize Cornet

Tennis Prediction: French teenager Alize Cornet continues to surprise as she reaches her third WTA draw quarterfinal. Last week at the Bausch & Lomb Championships, Cornet reached the semifinal (l. to Cibulkova) and earlier in the season, she reached the final in Acapulco (l. to Flavia Pennetta). Cornet likes this surface, and this surface likes her game. Underestimating this teenager is not an option. On the other hand, Agnes Szavay is enjoying a bit of a turnaround, after posting meagre results in the hard court portion of the season. The 19-year-old Hungarian struggled in most of her events, crashing out of the first round in five of her eight hard court tournaments. In the first leg of the American clay court swing, Szavay reached the quarterfinal (l. to Lindsay Davenport). Now in the second leg, she reaches her second consecutive quarterfinal (third overall this year). Clay is a surface she enjoys as well.

In most respects, both players are well matched; however, the determining factor is form and confidence – both of which Cornet has in abundance and overall, has played better than Szavay. I like Cornet to emerge into the final four.

Tennis Free Picks: Cornet in three sets

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