posted July 9, 2008 at 17:41 in Tennis Articles

Stuttgart, Germany – For tennis-betting fanatics there are a whole host of tennis wagering matchups with good value to bet on this week at BetUS Sportsbook. At the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart, Germany, several top players on the ATP tour are in action. So to get you started betting on tennis here is a look at some of the tennis betting lines currently available at BetUS.com, complete with tennis predictions, fast facts, head-to-head analysis and tennis free picks.

Tennis Betting Line: Jan Hernych vs. Brian Dabul

Match Time: 05:00 AM Eastern Time, July 10, 2008

Tennis Prediction: Lucky Loser Jan Hernych was the beneficiary of two-time defending Mercedes Cup champion, Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal from the event after citing sheer exhaustion as the reason for pulling out. By assuming Nadal’s spot in the first round, Hernych also benefited from a first round bye that would have gone to Nadal. So he is yet to contest a match in this tournament. Opening his campaign in the second round, Hernych comes up against Argentinean Brian Dabul. One could argue here, Dabul also benefits from Nadal’s withdrawal, as a second round encounter with the indomitable Spaniard would surely have spelled the end for the Argentine. So with both players profiting, what online tennis bettors are concerned about is whom should they wager on in this matchup to reap some profit as well?

No. 139 Jan Hernych beat No. 114 Brian Dabul in Ostrava, Czech Republic (challenger event) in May, en route to a runner-up finish. But considering Hernych is Czech, home court advantage played a huge factor in his close 7-6(3,) 6-4 triumph. On neutral ground in Stuttgart, it comes down to who will take advantage of this unique opportunity to claim a berth in the quarterfinal. Both players coast under the radar in the lower circuits and on paper, very little very little separates them.

In Stuttgart, Dabul has one match under his belt in the tournament, beating Denis Gremelmayr in a tough three set contest today 6-3, 5-7, 6-3. So while he is well prepared for the conditions in this tournament a handicap against him may be exhaustion from the trying opening duel. Hernych will be fresh and as he lost in qualifying, he is familiar with the conditions as well. I like Hernych’s chances.

Tennis Free Picks: Hernych in three sets

Tennis Betting Line: Simon Bolelli vs. Juan Martin Del Potro

Match Time: 05:00 AM Eastern Time, July 10, 2008

Tennis Prediction: This will be a good matchup in the second round of the Mercedes Cup. Simon Bolelli weighs in at No.47 in the world and owns a 1-0 head-to-head record over Juan Martin Del Potro, having beaten him at the 2008 French Open in the R64. Bolelli has seen his stock rise in the tennis betting markets since his runner-up finish in Munich (l. to Fernando Gonzalez). At the French Open he reached the R32, beating clay court guru Igor Andreev along the way. At Wimbledon, Bolelli avenged his loss to Gonzalez in the Munich final when he beat the Chilean in the second round en route to a third round appearance at the All England Club.

No. 65 Juan Martin Del Potro has had another disappointing season. Chronic back problems have held back the promising Argentinean for much of his career. This year was no exception. He enters the draw with a 9-8 mark for the year. Although he has a solid clay court game, I think Bolelli has his number again and will improve to 2-0 lifetime against Del Potro.

Tennis Free Picks: Bolelli in straight sets

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