Posted on 5/1/2008 5:44:47 PM

Tennis Free Picks - BMW Open Quarterfinal Betting Preview

By Nila Amerova

Munich, Germany – Betting on tennis can be a very profitable enterprise when handicapped properly. BetUS online tennis betting market offers a whole host of tennis betting options, with daily tennis odds, futures, props and games betting on offer on all the tournaments – whether major or minor – on the ATP and WTA calendar. This week in tennis, four tournaments, of varying magnitude and standing, are underway that tennis bettors have plenty of opportunity to bet on tennis. One of these tournaments is the BMW Open in Munich, Germany, now entering the quarterfinal round. With the final eight players, scheduled to contest their matches on Friday, May 2, 2008, tennis wagering action by now up and running, what sports bettors need to do is start placing their picks. To get you started, here is a look at the two matchups in the bottom-half of the draw.

Tennis Betting Line: Marat Safin vs. Fernando Gonzalez

Match Time: 06:00 AM EST, Friday May 2, 2008

Analysis: Wild Card Marat Safin of Russia appears to be slowly finding his form as he reaches his first ATP-level quarterfinal match of the year. Safin battled through the first two rounds of the tournament, stretching to the limit with back-to-back three-set marathon triumphs against Carlos Berlocq and Michael Berrer. The reward for his enormous efforts is a final eight encounter against second seed Fernando Gonzalez – a player who holds a four-match winning streak against him.

Safin’s 2-4 lifetime record against Gonzalez spans over five years, with Safin pulling ahead by winning their first two meetings (2002 and 2005) before slipping on the heels of four consecutive losses from 2006 to 2007 at Roland Garros, Wimbledon, Los Angeles and Davis Cup. Considering Safin’s record and his recent bout of woes in tournament play, the task before him would appear to be insurmountable, as he tries to reach his first ATP semi-final by topping a player he has not beaten in four previous attempts. In spite of this, I like his odds of accomplishing the feat – a simply because Gonzalez is not an indomitable player. In fact, Gonzalez has enjoyed a patchy season at best and arrived in Munich with a 9-4 mark for the season with one ATP title – albeit won on a walkover as Juan Monaco withdrew with an ankle injury before contesting the final. It is no secret, Gonzalez struggles with consistency and confidence in tournament play, alternating between brilliance and subpar performances. If Safin can draw inspiration from his tournament results thus far, he can perhaps persevere and notch his first victory since 2005 against the Chilean.

Tennis Free Picks: Safin in three sets

Tennis Betting Line: Younes El Aynaoui vs. Juan Martin Del Potro

Match Time: 06:00 AM EST, Friday May 2, 2008

Tennis Prediction: Featuring one of the veterans on the circuit, this matchup will be as exciting as it will be sentimental. The 36-year-old El Aynaoui, currently sitting at No.295 in the ATP rankings from a career-high No.14 (Nov.3, 2003), topped third seed Steve Darcis 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 to reach the final eight. El Aynaoui is appearing in his first quarterfinal since the Paris Masters in October 2003. His reward is a meeting with Argentine teenager Juan Martin del Potro, who topped fourth seed Igor Andreev to reach his first ATP-level quarterfinal of the season. Del Potro, who made only one career appearance in an ATP level semi-final (2007 Adelaide), will vie for a place in the final four tomorrow.

This will be a tough match to handicap, as both players have very little in the way of a notable season that can be used as a benchmark. While one player has faded into relative obscurity in the circuit, the other has yet to emerge entirely. Truly, a test of the old versus the young, where what advantage the one has in experience the other counters in youthful enthusiasm. Anything can happen. But one thing is for sure, they will both fight for the victory.

Tennis Free Picks: El Aynaoui in three sets

BetUS Sportsbook is taking action on the French Open with the men’s French Open Futures. Check out the futures odds and start betting on the second Grand Slam of the year now!

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