Posted on
4/22/2008 5:23:40 PM
Tennis Free Picks - ATP Masters Series Betting - Monte Carlo
By Nila Amerova
Monte Carlo, Monaco – Online sports bettors have a thrilling day of tennis betting ahead of them as the ATP Masters Series moves into the second round. Top seeds Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, amongst several others, who received a Bye into the second round, will begin their campaign in this prestigious event. So with the tennis odds currently live at BetUS.com, what sports betting enthusiasts need to help them along with betting on the ATP Masters Series is some good handicapping. To assist in this, here is a breakdown of some of the upcoming matchups and some tennis free picks, complete with BetUS tennis odds.
Tennis Free Picks:
Tennis Betting Line: Kristof Vliegen +200 Richard Gasquet -300
Match Time: 04:00 AM Eastern Time, Wednesday April 23, 2008
Tennis Prediction: World No. 9 Richard Gasquet of France is the tournaments seventh seed. After receiving a bye into the second round, Gasquet kicks off his tournament against No.97 Kristof Vliegen of Belgium – a player he owns a level lifetime record at 2-2. However, upon closer inspection, not all appears so bleak for Gasquet in his opening match, as their record is comprised of three meetings in 2007, two of which were won by Gasquet back-to-back Gstaad (clay) and Mumbai (hard).
Vliegen, who enjoys a lot of variety in his game, is a natural hard court player. Similarly, Gasquet has a lot of variety in his game, but unlike Vliegen, Gasquet is an all-surface player with grass his best surface.
Vliegen shocked Gasquet last year at the French Open with a 7-6(4) 6-3 6-1 triumph in the R64. He has the game to beat Gasquet. His past success against the top Frenchman, lends his underdog odds some value. More importantly, Gasquet has a tendency to be streaky which could factor against him. All too often, he has unravelled against the most unlikely of players. That being said, Gasquet would perhaps be the better play, but I cannot help but fall for the bookies trap. Take the odds makers bait and pick Vliegen – at +200 underdog odds, he is simply too valuable a prospect to pass.
Tennis Free Picks: Vliegen in three sets
Tennis Betting Line: Olivier Rochus +350 David Nalbandian -600
Match Time: 04:00 AM Eastern Time, Wednesday April 23, 2008
Tennis Prediction: No.7 David Nalbandian is on a collision course with rival Roger Federer in the top half of the draw, slotted to meet in the quarterfinals. Entering the ATP Masters Series in Monte Carlo as the sixth seed, few would bet against the top Argentinean in his opening match against No. 78 Olivier Rochus. Recommending Nalbandian’s favorite odds, tipped at -600, is a 17-4 mark for the season, which includes one ATP title at his home event in Buenos Aires (clay). Clearly, Nalbandian’s clay court is warmed up. In fact, Nalbandian competed in two clay court events in 2008 (Buenos Aires and Acapulco) as well as playing for Argentina in Davis Cup Action against Sweden (also contested on clay). He is the sure play in this matchup.
Tennis Free Picks: Nalbandian in straight sets
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Nila Amerova is a freelance sports writer and regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room.