Posted on 10/18/2007 4:33:03 PM

Tennis Betting Zurich Open: Vaidisova vs. Bondarenko

By Michael Dempsey

Zurich, Switzerland – No. 15 Nicole Vaidisova eased into the quarterfinal round with a victory over odds makers’ favorite No.3 Jelena Jankovic. The Czech teenager Vaidisova sidelined Serbia’s Jankovic with a straight set victory 6-4, 6-4 and in doing so, improved her record over the top Serbian player 5-3.

Next up for the Czech phenomenon is Alona Bondarenko of Ukraine. BetUS Sportsbook favors Vaidisova at -400. The quarterfinal is scheduled for Friday, October 18, 2007.

Tennis Betting Line: Nicole Vaidisova -400 Alona Bondarenko +250

Match Time: 05:00 A.M. EST (Friday October 19, 2007)

Tennis Prediction: Vaidisova started the year ranked No.11. Getting off to a good start, Vaidisova’s first half of the season was highly successful, reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open and the quarterfinals of Roland Garros and Wimbledon, Vaidisova climbed to No.8 early this year. However, a virus sidelined her from the summer season and she has since competed only at the US Open and the Kremlin Cup in Moscow.

At the 2007 US Open, Vaidisova reached the R32 (lost to Shahar Peer) and at the Kremlin Cup, she advanced into the quarterfinal (lost to Serena Williams).

Illness and maturation combined have held back Vaidisova, causing her to underperform this season. In 2006, Vaidisova showed a lot of promise, winning six WTA titles; but with no titles to her credit this year, the now 18-year-old Vaidisova would appear to need more seasoning.

In spite of her less than spectacular summer, at a price tag of -400, the odds makers’ favorite, Vaidisova is a good bet against an underwhelming No.25 Alona Bondarenko. Strengthening Vaidisova’s odds is one of the best serves on the tour and a powerful forehand shot that could put away Bondarenko easily.

In her last three indoor hard court tournaments on the European swing of the tour, Bondarenko fell in the first round. The Zurich Open marks her fourth indoor tournament, and her best run thus far.

Bondarenko arrives into the quarterfinal after upsetting eighth seed Amelie Mauresmo in the second round and topping [WC] Timea Bacsinszky in the first round, but betting on her in this match up is chancy. At a price tag of +250, there is some value, owing to the fact that Bondarenko is enjoying her first winning streak in the last three weeks, but the odds are against her continuing this run. Bondarenko is a long shot bet for a berth in the semifinal.

Tennis Free Pick: Vaidisova in three sets.

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