Posted on 4/18/2008 6:05:35 PM

Tennis Betting Odds - VI Open de Tenis Semifinals - Almagro vs. Korolev

By Nila Amerova

Valencia, Spain – Weekend tennis betting offers some exciting matchups for sports bettors to wager on – one of which is the billing between VI Open de Tenis defending champion Nicolas Almagro and up-and-coming Russian Evgeny Korolev. BetUS is taking action on this –as well as four other – tournaments, so get your tennis wagers in for this thrilling weekend in tennis.

Tennis Betting Line: Nicolas Almagro vs. Evgeny Korolev

Match Time: 05:00 AM Eastern Time Saturday April 19, 2008

Analysis: Fifth seed, Spaniard Nicolas Almagro charged into the semi-finals with a victory over Juan Martin of Argentina. In fact, since his opening match test, when he was taken to the limit by Werner Eschauer (6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4), Almagro has been solid, moving through the R16 and the quarterfinals without dropping a set. In the R16, he topped Guillermo Garcia-Lopez in straight sets 6-4, 6-4 and eked out Juan Monaco with a 6-3, 6-2 score on the board.

As the reigning champion in Valencia, Almagro is the short-odds-on favorite entering the semifinal against No.113 Evgeny Korolev of Russia. Almagro arrived in Valencia with a 16-5 mark, which included two ATP (clay) titles – Acapulco and Costa do Sauipe. Only a victory separates him from a prime position in the tournament’s final movement on Sunday and with an exceptional start to the year, he is looking like the better play to achieve the feat.

Korolev arrived in Valencia with a 6-6 mark for the year; his best results thus far were two quarterfinal appearances in Sydney and Las Vegas. Now with the clay court season underway, Korolev who favors clay – hard as well – may see his season pick up.

In reaching the final four, Korolev improved to 9-6 for the season; notching victories over compatriot and 2005 champion Igor Andreev, wild card Daniel Gimeno-Traver and Dutch Robin Haase respectively. All three matches were hard fought victories.

For my tennis pick in this matchup, I will stay loyal and faithful to the favorite. Almagro is the better play. He should win this match. Here is hoping my faith is rewarded.

Tennis Free Picks: Almagro in straight sets

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