Posted on 10/26/2007 1:01:37 AM

Tennis Betting Odds - Davidoff Swiss Indoors Basel Ivo Karlovic vs. Tomas Berdych

By Nila Amerova

Basel, Switzerland – Czech Tomas Berdych has the unenviable task of facing Croatian 6’9”giant Ivo Karlovic, who after serving up a third consecutive victory over James Blake, asserted he could serve with a basketball! So is this second quarterfinal tennis betting fans, in the top half of the draw, a slam dunk for No.25 Karlovic, or can No. 13 Berdych lay up the victory?

Tennis Line: Ivo Karlovic +135 Tomas Berdych -175

Match Time: 05:00 A.M. EST

Tennis Prediction: Shanghai hopeful Ivo Karlovic strikes an intimidating pose on court. Disadvantaged on the line at +135, taking the bait on Karlovic is worth the risk.

This season has been Karlovic’s break-through season, winning his career’s first three ATP titles and passing the 1000 milestone in aces for a season. To date, Karlovic has thumped out 1,234 aces, and sits in second place to the all-time record of his compatriot Goran Ivanisevic’s 1,477 aces set in 1996.

Karlovic arrives with a 41/19 record for the season, which includes three ATP titles – Stockholm, Houston and Nottingham. Karlovic was also a finalist in San Jose, a semifinalist in Tokyo, Washington, New Haven, and a quarterfinalist in London / Queen's Club, Chennai and Bangkok.

No.13 Tomas Berdych may find some comfort in a 1-0 lead in head-to-heads over Ivo Karlovic – a victory he recently nicked in Bangkok. Berdych takes into his match a 45/22 record for the season, which includes one ATP title – Halle. Berdych also compiled some notable performances this year – semifinals in Bangkok, Munich, Tokyo, and the ATP Masters Series (AMS) Monte Carlo and quarterfinals in AMS in Rome, Sydney and Wimbledon.

Berdych has the talent and the game to top Karlovic, but as a player, Berdych is not fully evolved yet. As such, despite his arsenal of shots and talent and for all his potential he has a tendency to be streaky. As such, betting on the favorite Berdych at -175 can be chancy.

This has been in some ways, Karlovic’s year; this may be his one shot at a Masters Cup Final. Berdych has yet to breakout. He is poised to do just that, he only needs to put all his elements together.

Both Berdych and Karlovic are in contention for a Masters Cup spot in Shanghai; much is at stake for both and the results of this match have far-reaching consequences. Karlovic is a seasoned player and holds the edge mentally, but Berdych has the more complete game and holds the edge physically. In the end, the result of this match will come down to who can deal with the pressure better.

Tennis Free Pick: Berdych in three sets.

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