posted March 18, 2008 at 19:01 in Tennis Free Picks

Indian Wells, CA – The top half of the draw moves into the third round on the men’s side today at the Pacific Life Open. Contesting in the R32 is World No.1 Roger Federer along with Andy Murray, Nikolay Davydenko and David Nalbandian amongst several others. The tennis odds for the ATP Masters Series in Indian Wells at BetUS are currently live, so here are a few choice tennis free picks to get you started betting on tennis.

Tennis Betting Line: Nikolay Davydenko -3½ -125 -300 Over 22½ -115

Mardy Fish +3½ -115 +200 Under 22½ -125

Match Time: 07:00 PM Eastern Time, Tuesday March 18, 2008

Tennis Prediction: In this matchup, No.4 Nikolay Davydenko holds a 1-0 edge, owing to a victory at the AMS in Miami in 2006. Since then, the pair has not met at an ATP level event. Davydenko enters this matchup with a 13-4 record for the season, which includes two semifinal appearances and a R16 appearance at the Australian Open. Davydenko warmed up for this event in Dubai almost a fortnight ago and en route to the semifinal, he topped Andy Murray – after Murray had defeated Roger Federer in the second round. Davydenko typically does not win major tournaments but he factors deep. In his career he owns only one Masters Shield – the ATP Masters Series in Paris (2006).

Most of No.98 Mardy Fish’s successes have come on American soil. With home court edge in this matchup, the American – although not an outright favorite on the money line – would be a good play as a result. Fish brings a 9-5 record into this match; which includes two quarterfinal appearances in Delray Beach and San Jose. However, going against Fish is the fact that at major events, he rarely advances past the opening rounds.

Tennis Free Picks: Davydenko in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: Fernando Verdasco +2½ -110 +150 Over 22½ -140

Tommy Haas -2½ -130 -200 Under 22½ EV

Match Time: 07:00 PM Eastern Time, Tuesday March 18, 2008

Tennis Prediction: No.36 Tommy Haas has missed a good chunk of the 2008 season since undergoing shoulder surgery in November last year. Contesting his fifth tournament of the year in Indian Wells, the German tennis player posted the first big upset of the tournament when he edged past Andy Roddick in the second round 6-4, 6-4. Before Indian Wells Haas held a 2-4 record for the season, but with two matches already in Indian Wells he improves to 4-4. Favored by the odds makers at -200, Haas is a good play in this match up as seems to have found his hard court rhythm and his big victory over Roddick should give him some added confidence. Lifetime, he owns a 1-0 record over No.30 Fernando Verdasco of Spain (defeated Verdasco at the AMS in Cincinnati in 2006).

The Spaniard currently ranks slightly above Haas, but that is because Haas’s ranking fell when he was forced to miss a portion of the year with his shoulder injury. Haas started the year ranked No.12.

Verdasco is a good player but he lacks the consistency necessary to carry a player through the daily rounds of a tournament. Against Haas, Verdasco is a long shot by virtue of this inability to replicate convincingly back-to-back winning performances. Occasional flashes of brilliance will win a match here and there, but will not take a player to a title. Since winning his maiden ATP title in Valencia in 2004, Verdasco in squandered three other opportunities to lift a second title, finishing as the runner-up instead.

Tennis Free Picks: Haas in straight sets.

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