Posted on 4/3/2008 4:23:44 PM

Tennis Betting - WTA Semifinal - Jankovic vs. Zvonareva

By Nila Amerova

Miami, Florida – Wednesday’s instalment of quarterfinal matches on the women’s side of the Sony Ericsson Open saw Jelena Jankovic receive a pass to her maiden semifinal in Miami when Elena Dementieva was forced to retire from the match with a back injury. Next up for the Serbian is Vera Zvonareva of Russia who emerged from her all-Russian battle with Dinara Safina as the victor. Only a victory separates them from a place in the final of the $3.77-million Tier I event – so who will it be? Care to bet on it? BetUS is currently taking action on this sensational semifinal billing of the Sony Ericsson Open so don’t miss this chance to wager on your favorite.

Tennis Betting Line:

Jelena Jankovic (1st Set) -190 Over 9½ -125

Vera Zvonareva (1st Set) +145 Under 9½ -115

Jelena Jankovic -3½ -115 -250 Over 22 -110

Vera Zvonareva +3½ -125 +185 Under 22 -130

Match Time: 11:00 AM Eastern Time, Friday April 4, 2008.

Head-to-head Analysis: No.3 Jelena Jankovic and No.20 Vera Zvonareva are tied 2-2 in career head-to-heads, with Jelena Jankovic winning their only encounter in 2007. Jankovic narrowly edged past Zvonareva in the final at Auckland last year with a 7-6(9), 5-7, 6-3. In their four career meetings, three matches were contested on hard; Jankovic holds the slimmest edge with a 2-1 lead. The last time Zvonareva nicked a victory over Jankovic was in 2006 in Cincinnati (hard).

Tennis Prediction: As their career head-to-head indicates, the pair are well-matched. There is ample to recommend either player on the money line.

Jankovic, owing to her higher rank and overall standout 2007 season is appropriately favoured for the win by the odds makers with a -250 price tag. However, Jankovic appears in Miami, noticeably without a title for the year and more importantly, having failed to reach a final of a tournament. At this time last year, Jankovic had one WTA title (Auckland) and finished runner-up in Sydney (l. to Kim Clijsters). Now with the spring portion of the hard court season ending, this is Jankovic’s last chance before the tour turns to clay tournaments to win a title on this surface.

Jankovic enters the semifinal with a 19-6 record for the season, which is comprised of six tournaments and appearances no less than the quarterfinals. This year has been another solid season for the Serbian sensation, but in spite of her solid performances, her inability to reach a final is markedly noticeable. Jankovic is 0-3 in semifinal matches this year, this is her fourth shot at reaching a final of a tournament.

Vera Zvonareva of Russia enters this matchup with a 20-5 record for the season, which is comprised of two runner-up finishes in six tournaments contested. Zvonareva was a finalist in Hobart (l. Eleni Danilidou) and Doha (l. to Sharapova). At +185 underdog odds, Zvonareva holds value.

Tennis Free Pick: Jankovic in three sets

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