posted March 28, 2008 at 17:59 in Tennis Articles

Miami, Florida – The second round of the WTA Sony Ericsson Open gets underway in the top half of the draw today, while the bottom half of the draw prepares to contest the R64 on Saturday, March 29, 2008. Vying to keep their campaign hopes alive is the talented teenage duo of Dominika Cibulkova and Tamira Paszek, amongst a whole slew of rising starlets, but with heavy-hitters Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic and technically brilliant Anna Chakvetadze and Daniela Hantuchova in their section of the draw, for some the second round will be the end of the road. Bet on the women’s Sony Ericsson Open at BetUS, second round tennis odds are already live.

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

Tennis Betting Line: Anna Chakvetadze -450 Tamira Paszek +275

Analysis: No. 6 Anna Chakvetadze owns a 1-0 lifetime record over No.42 Tamira Paszek, owing to a victory over the 17-year-old teenager at the US Open last year in the R16. Tamira Paszek is a rising star on the women’s circuit. While she certainly holds value, for she is talented enough to cause an upset, I think Chakvetadze, who arrives with a 9-5 record for the season and one WTA title (Paris) is the better play.

Tennis Free Pick: Chakvetadze in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: Sabine Lisicki -175 Mariya Koryttseva +135

Analysis: Another teenager who has certainly gained attention is Sabine Lisicki of Germany. Arriving in Miami on a wild card the German teenager holds a lot of promise for the future. In the second round, she faces Mariya Koryttseva of the Ukraine, a player she beat at the Australian Open R64 this year. Lisicki is favoured at -175 for the win and I would agree with the odds makers. She is a good play.

Tennis Free Pick: Lisicki in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: Francesca Schiavone -165 580 Dominika Cibulkova +125

Analysis: This is the first time No.22 Francesca Schiavone faces fast rising Slovak teenager, No.38 Dominika Cibulkova. Although the Italian is favoured at -165, by virtue of her higher ranking, Cibulkova holds more value. The up-and-comer is playing with more confidence in each tournament. She defeated Venus Williams in Doha and has reached two quarterfinals this season – in Doha (a Tier I event) and Gold Coast. Take the underdog in this match up. She is worth the risk.

Tennis Free Pick: Cibulkova in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: Kateryna Bondarenko +375 577 Elena Dementieva -650

Analysis: No.11 Elena Dementieva has seen her game enjoy a revival of late. Arriving in Miami with a 10-3 record and one WTA title in Dubai, she is heavily favoured for the win. This is her first match since winning her title in Dubai, where she defeated fellow Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova in an epic three set match, coming from behind for the triumph 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. Dementieva may be a little rusty, which could give Bondarenko the opportunity to upset the favoured Russian. However, Dementieva’s skill and experience should help her pull through what I expect to be a close contest and avert the nigh-upset.

Tennis Free Pick: Dementieva in straight sets

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