Posted on
3/28/2008 5:43:16 PM
Tennis Betting - Sony Ericsson Open Odds: Roddick’s Quarter of the Draw
By Nila Amerova
Miami, Florida – Top American tennis star Andy Roddick was dealt no favors at the Sony Ericsson Open this year when he fell into the same quarter of the draw as 2008 Australian Open finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and his nemesis, World No.1 Roger Federer. As Roddick and Federer flank the opposite ends of their quarter, experts have the pair slotted for a quarterfinal clash; but before Roddick can hope to earn his 17th shot (Roddick trails lifetime 1-15 against Federer) at the Swiss maestro, Roddick must survive a potential stern test of the Ali lookalike Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the R16. So as they all progress closer towards each other through the rounds at the Sony Ericsson Open, here is a look at these starlets in their opening matches in the second round scheduled for Saturday, March 29, 2008.
Match Time: 10:00 AM Eastern Time, Saturday, March 29, 2008
Tennis Betting Line: Viktor Troicki +600 Andy Roddick -1200
Analysis: Tipped at -1200 on the money line, Andy Roddick is the outright favorite to advance into the R32 in Miami. Considering he faces No.119 Viktor Troicki of Serbia – a player who is barely a shadow of his counterpart Novak Djokovic, this match should be a mere formality for the other A-Rod. The pick here is really a no-brainer.
Tennis Free Pick: Roddick in straight sets
Tennis Betting Line: Juan Ignacio Chela -200 Ivo Minar +150
Analysis: Qualifier Ivo Minar is one of four qualifiers who enjoyed a successful opening day at the 2008 Sony Ericsson Open, defeating Oliver Rochus. Disadvantaged on the money line at +150, Minar may hold value in this matchup as while he faces a seeded player in Juan Ignacio Chela, he has been struggling to produce significant results in hard court tournaments this season. If Minar can string together a perfect game, he can knock Chela off his stride.
Tennis Free Pick: Minar in three sets
Tennis Betting Line: Julien Benneteau +150 Ivo Karlovic -200
Analysis: Big-serving, ace-wielding Ivo Karlovic of Croatia is the better play in this match. Seeded 19th in the tournament, should edge past Benneteau into the next round. In 2007, Karlovic had his best season to date, breaking numerous serving records in the ace categories. His best run this season was in Rottedam, a semifinal appearance. Lifetime, he holds a 1-0 record over Benneteau in ATP level events, and a 2-0 record in Qualifiers, Challengers and Futures matches.
Tennis Free Pick :Karlovic in straight sets
Tennis Betting Line: Jo Wilfried Tsonga -450 Jurgen Melzer +275
Analysis: After coming out of nowhere to contest the 2008 Australian Open final, the question is whether Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will maintain the high-level game he demonstrated in Melbourne and hang out for some time with the Top elite of tennis, or will he fade back to whence he came from? Because he bears some resemblance to Mohammad Ali, tennis fans expect his game to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee. There is no end to the fascination Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has garnered since the Australian Open. After falling to Rafael Nadal last week in Indian Wells – a revenge win for Nadal after he received a serious drumming from the Ali lookalike at the Australian Open semifinals –Tsonga will be anxious to get his Miami campaign off to a winning start, and quash any one-hit-wonder labelling. If he strings together a game we have seen him capable of, Jurgen Melzer should be no contest.
Tennis Free Pick :Tsonga in straight sets
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Nila Amerova is a freelance sports writer and regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room