Posted on 4/4/2008 6:06:01 PM

Tennis Betting - Masters Series Semifinal - Roddick vs. Davydenko

By Nila Amerova

Miami, Florida – On Thursday at the Sony Ericsson Open No.4 Nikolay Davydenko became the third player to emerge from the final eight when he defeated Janko Tipsaevic with a convincing 6-2, 6-1 win. Meanwhile, No.6 Andy Roddick edged past World No. 1 Roger Federer 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-3 to win the quarterfinal battle of former Miami champions and advance into the semi-finals. Roddick tipped at +400 on the money line (BetUS Tennis Odds) snapped an 11-match losing streak against Federer (-700 favorite) when he came away with the three set victory. Prior to yesterday’s quarterfinal, the last time Roddick beat Federer was at the ATP Masters Series in Canada in 2003. Next up for the American is Nikolay Davydenko.

Tennis Betting Line:

Match Time: Friday April 4, 2008 07:00 PM Eastern Time

Andy Roddick -3 -110 -240 Over 23½ -120

Nikolay Davydenko +3 -130 +180 Under 23½ -120

Andy Roddick (1st Set) -175 Over 10 -125

Nikolay Davydenko (1st Set) +135 Under 10 -115

Head-to-Head Analysis: American Andy Roddick owns a perfect record over Russian Nikolay Davydenko, weighing in at 5-0 lifetime; Roddick holds a comfortable edge coming into this semifinal. On closer inspection, Roddick’s five-match winning streak over the Russian is comprised of imperious wins, with Davydenko taking a solitary set off Roddick in five years. A feat he managed for the first time in their last meeting at the 2007 Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.

Tennis Prediction: American Andy Roddick was a champion in Miami in 2004, but his victory was a dubious one as he got a free pass when Guillermo Coria retired in the fourth set (up to last year, the Sony Ericsson Open was played to the best of three sets).

He is one victory away from reaching the final and earning his second shot at winning the title. Since winning the title in 2004, Roddick’s best runs in Miami were two back-to-back quarterfinal appearances – lost to David Ferrer in 2006 and retired in 2007 against Andy Murray.

Roddick enters the semifinal with two ATP titles – San Jose and Dubai – and a 19-4 record for the season. Home court advantage and a perfect record over Davydenko add to his value making him an almost certain finalist in Miami. At +180, Davydenko is a long shot. Heck in 5 meetings and 12 sets, he has only taken one set off Roddick! Once again, long shot bet!

Tennis Free Pick: Roddick in straight sets

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