posted March 28, 2008 at 19:14 in Tennis Articles

Miami, Florida – Pacific Life Open champion Ana Ivanovic kicks off her Miami campaign against Virgine Pascual Ruano; meanwhile, heavy hitter and 2007 standout tennis player Jelena Jankovic opens her Miami tournament against Sofia Arvidsson on Saturday, March 29, 2008. Also seeded in the bottom half of the draw is former World No.1 Lindsay Davenport, power-players Nicole Vaidisova, Nadia Petrova, Vera Zvonareva, Dinara Safina and Amelie Mauresmo and . So with the bottom half of the draw stacked with talent and depth the second round offers a slew of appetizing matchups to be on over the weekend. Here is a look at the women’s R64 tennis odds for tomorrow.

Match Time: 10:00 AM Eastern Time, Saturday March 29, 2008.

Tennis Betting Line: Karin Knapp +120 Lucie Safarova -160

Tennis Prediction: No.35 Karin Knapp of Italy prepares to meet No.39 Lucie Safarova for the first time in tournament play. At underdog odds tipped at +120 on the money line, I like Knapp’s chances to upset Safarova. Knapp arrives in Miami as the 31st seed and her best performance came in Antwerp earlier this year, where she reached the final (l. to Justine Henin). In five tournaments, Safarova has failed to advance out of the second round. Typically, I would recommend Lucie Safarova as I believe she is a player with a lot of potential, however, she lacks confidence, which makes me hesitate in recommending her favorite odds.

Tennis Free Picks: Knapp in three sets.

Tennis Betting Line: Alisa Kleybanova +250 Nicole Vaidisova -400

Tennis Prediction: Favored at -400, power-player Nicole Vaidisova of the Czech Republic is the better play in this matchup. With an 11-5 record for the season, the oft-temperamental Czech teenager should use her big serve to serve up a victory. Take Vaidisova at -400.

Tennis Free Picks: Vaidisova in straight sets

Tennis betting Line: Daniela Hantuchova -1600 Milagros Sequera +700

Tennis Prediction: No.9 Daniela Hantuchova has had a solid season this year, reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open, three consecutive quarterfinals in Paris, Antwerp and last week in Indian Wells. Since her renaissance in 2007, Hantuchova has been a consistent performer. At this stage of the tournament, she is a good play.

Tennis Free Picks: Hantuchova in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: Sofia Arvidsson +650 Jelena Jankovic -1400

Tennis Prediction: No. 3 Jelena Jankovic has a whopping -1400 price tag next to her name on this money line, but I don’t expect her opening match to be as easy as the line would indicate. Arvidsson is a tough competitor and with two back-to-back quarterfinal runs this year in Antwerp and Memphis and a 2-0 record against Top 10 players this season alone, she is a player who believes she can win. A necessary ingredient when coming into a match heavily disadvantaged on the line. Yes, she is contesting this match on a big stage, but she has the game to orchestrate the upset. Don’t discount this player and with underdog odds at +650($100 bet would payout six-fold) she is worth the wager.

Tennis Free Picks: Arvidsson in three sets

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