Posted on 4/17/2008 6:46:10 PM

Tennis Betting Odds - Open de Tenis Quarterfinal Picks

By Nila Amerova

Valencia, Spain – Online tennis betting at BetUS Sportsbook has been steadily heating up during the course of this week, heading to an inevitable high point on the weekend when the three ATP Tour events, currently running, reach a conclusion and crown a winner. The Open de Tenis is one such tournament that is causing a betting stir, as competing in Valencia are some of Spain’s best clay court players. The French Open just around the corner, it only makes sense to follow the tournaments progress and bet on the matchups as the players tune their clay court game for the coveted Roland Garros title. To get you started speculating, here is a breakdown of the quarterfinal matchups set to kick off on Friday, April 18, 2008.

Tennis Betting Line: David Ferrer vs. Fernando Verdasco

Analysis: In this all-Spanish affair, David Ferrer enters as the bettors short-odds-on favorite to advance. Why? He ranks in the Top 10 elite (currently at No.5) and entered the event with an 11-6 mark, which included a quarterfinal run at the 2008 Australian Open, Auckland and Dubai.

However, going against the second, highest ranked Spaniard is an 0-3 mark in quarterfinals this year and a 2-3 lifetime record against Fernando Verdasco; the two most recent victories went the way of the lower-ranked Verdasco in 2007 and were both secured on clay.

Although, Spaniards are well known for their clay court skills, Ferrer’s recent successes came on hard, owing to his determination to improve on this surface. Was this at the expense of his clay court game? No. Not really, as he did pick up a clay court title last year in Bastaad. At the Open de Tenis, he improved to 13-6 with victories over Ivan Navarro and Pablo Andujar. In four appearances in Valencia, Ferrer finished runner-up once (2005).

On the other hand, Verdasco’s biggest strength his is clay court game. He has the ability to defeat the higher ranked Ferrer on this surface. After all, he did it twice last year. However, 2008 has not been a great season for the Spaniard and he reaches his first quarterfinal of the year in Valencia. Based purely on their respective seasons, I give Ferrer the edge in tomorrow’s quarterfinal.

Tennis Free Picks: Ferrer in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: Tommy Robredo vs. Potito Starace

Analysis: No. 18 Tommy Robredo has not had a great season, posting meagre results in tournament play in the first three months. At the Open de Tenis, he arrived with an underwhelming 4-6 mark, hardly the record one would expect a Top 20 player to own. No wonder Robredo received a wild card into this event.

However, at this first clay court tournament on the European leg of the ATP Calendar, Robredo is enjoying his first winning streak that sees him into the quarterfinal of an ATP draw. As the home favorite, he will have a slight edge over Potito Starace – but only just, as Starace is no stranger to success in Valencia. He entered the draw this year as the 2007 finalist and the eighth seed. He is a good clay court player as well, so this matchup will not be determined by surface edge, making this match tougher to handicap. The smart play would be Starace, he is a player that arrived in Valencia with confidence. Robredo entered on the heels of a dismal season with an air of waning confidence. But with a home crowd spurring him on, I like Robredo’s chances to turnaround his season with a semifinal run in Valencia.

Tennis Free Picks: Robredo in three sets

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