Posted on 4/30/2008 6:00:02 PM

Tennis Betting - Odds-on-Favorite Nadal – The Player to Beat

By Nila Amerova

Barcelona, Spain – Online betting faithful at BetUS Sportsbook have a thrilling day of tennis betting ahead of them as the 2008 Barcelona Open moves into the third round. The tennis gambling market is taking action on some exceptional matchups in the R16 and with many players coming into form as the tournament progresses, good tennis handicap bets can be made.

Tennis Betting Line: Rafael Nadal -5000 Feliciano Lopez +1200

Match Time: 04:00 AM Eastern Time

Tennis Prediction: Perhaps the most in-form player coming into the European clay-court season is Rafael Nadal, who arrives in Barcelona after sweeping both the singles and doubles title at the Monte Carlo Masters Series last week. Nadal’s singles title marked his fourth consecutive AMS Monte Carlo crown ( a feat that has never been achieved before) and doubling up with the doubles victory, in the same Masters Series event, marked the first time a player achieved the feat since 1991,when Jim Courier picked up both titles at the Masters Series in Indian Wells.

Nadal enters the 2008 Barcelona Open as the three-time defending champion. This event is the second of four successive hat-trick titles Nadal is in mind to defend this year. After successfully defending the first hat-trick title in Monte Carlo, it should come as no surprise Nadal is the overwhelming favorite in this event. Furthermore, should he enjoy similar success in his home event in Barcelona, in the upcoming ATP Masters Series in Rome and the 2008 French Open, bettors can expect his odds to inflate even more.

The third round encounter against fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez will be an emotional battle for both players. Naturally, Nadal will be determined to keep his campaign alive; however, at the same time, Lopez will be moved to raise the level of his game to the echelon his compatriot Nadal has set – almost as if a national standard. The desire to topple the King of Clay, fuelled by nationalistic rivalry, will add an interesting dynamic to this match, which if successfully executed, on home turf at that, would be akin to winning the title – maybe even better for Lopez.

But can we seriously give Lopez’s game such credence. Aside from reaching the final in Dubai, Lopez’s season has been mired with early exits in tournament play. The season has seen Lopez patchy at best, unable to string consistent winning streaks. Coming into this match, he would appear to be short on confidence – a necessary factor to be seriously considered as a viable challenger to Nadal’s defence campaign in Barcelona. As such, as tempting as his +1200 underdog price tag would be, I cannot recommend it with conviction.

At the steep favorite price tag of -5000, Nadal is the player to beat. Bookies, betting trends and the man himself support this assertion.

Tennis Free Picks: Nadal in straight sets

BetUS Sportsbook is taking action on the French Open with the men’s French Open Futures. Check out the futures odds and start betting on the second Grand Slam of the year now!

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