Posted on 10/26/2007 12:12:35 AM

Tennis Betting – Lyon Grand Prix Quarterfinal: Ljubicic vs. Falla

By Nila Amerova

Lyon, France – In the second quarterfinal match in the bottom half of the draw, the only remaining seeded player in the tournament - fifth seed Ivan Ljubicic – prepares to face No.128 [Q] Alejando Falla.

BetUS Sportsbook is taking action on the ATP Lyon Grand Prix so to get you going on the fall season’s tennis betting action, here is my tennis pick for this quarterfinal meeting.

Since the start of this weeks ATP tournaments, Nila Amerova owns a 10/2 winning record in choice tennis picks for the ATP Lyon Grand Prix tournament, a record which includes picking the upset of Top seed Andy Roddick (-900) by Fabio Santoro (+450) and defending champion [4] Richard Gasquet (-300) by Jo-Wilfred’s Tsonga (-200).

Tennis Betting Line: Ivan Ljubicic -285 Alejandro Falla +195

Match Time: 06:00 A.M. EST.

Tennis Prediction: Croatian Ivan Ljubicic arrives as the favorite in this match up. As the fifth seed and only seeded player still alive in the tournament, Ljubicic is one of the favorites to emerge from his half of the draw as one of the finalists.

The 2001 Lyon Champion (and 2000 Lyon Doubles finalist) Ljubicic arrives into the quarterfinal after facing a tough contest in the first round against USA’s up-and-coming player No.61 Sam Querrey. Ljubicic eked out Querrey with a close 7-6(5), 7-6(7) victory. In the second round, Ljubicic was further tested by Frenchman No.96 Thierry Ascione, before clinching the victory in three sets 6-3, 6-7(4), 7-6(5).

As both Sam Querrey, who ranks well over the Top 50, and Ascione, who ranks just under the Top 100, were able to drag Ljubicic into tough on-court battles, Ljubicic’s inability to exact resounding defeats does not bode well for him in the quarterfinal, making him a less than certain bet against No.128 Alejandro Falla.

Nevertheless, by all indications, Ljubicic is the better play. Ljubicic owns a 1-0 record over Falla – a victory he notched at the AMS in Indiana Wells. Ljubicic takes a 44/21 record for the season into this quarterfinal, which includes two ATP titles. Further recommending Ljubicic on this line is a perfect 2006 record on carpet (owns a 7-0 record on carpet) and many notable results in 2007 of which are the following:

Winner: 's-Hertogenbosch, Doha

Finalist: Zagreb, Rotterdam

Semifinalist: ATP Masters Series Miami, Beijing

Quarterfinalist: ATP Masters Series Indian Wells, Vienna

In Alejandro Falla, Ljubicic meets a player that ranks well beyond the Top 100. Falla, who had to qualify for the event, arrives in the quarterfinal after upsetting Igor Andreev 7-6(2), 6-1 in the first round and easily besting Oliver Marach 6-2, 6-1 in the second round.

Falla’s appearance in this quarterfinal marks his best performances at an ATP event this year. Prior to this quarterfinal appearance, Falla could only claim a best performance at a challenger event – semifinal at Mons and quarterfinal at Surbiton. With no experience at this level, Falla is a long shot bet. Ljubicic should persevere to reach the semifinals.

Tennis Free Pick: Ljubicic in straight sets.

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