posted October 17, 2007 at 20:43 in Tennis Articles

Madrid, Spain – In Federer’s quarter, Guillermo Canas defeated Agustin Calleri to set up the much-anticipated blockbuster third round meeting with World No.1 Roger Federer. Thirteenth seed Argentinean Canas, who has been slumping lately, opened his ATP Masters Series (AMS) in Madrid with a hard fought, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 victory over compatriot No.50 Agustin Calleri.

The third round kicks off on Thursday, October, 18, 2007 and BetUS Sportsbook has released tennis odds for this exciting match up.

Tennis Betting Line: Roger Federer -1400 Guillermo Canas +650

Match Time: 05:00 A.M. EST

Tennis Prediction: Early this year, Canas became only the fifth player to record back-to-back wins over Roger Federer. At the AMS in Indian Wells, Canas caused one of the biggest upsets this season when he defeated Federer in straightsets 7-5, 6-2. Then to prove his victory was no fluke, he followed up with another resounding victory over Federer the following week at the AMS in Miami (Canas d. Federer 7-6(2) 2-6 7-6(5).

The third round meeting between Federer and Canas marks their third meeting this year. Canas leads 2-0 in head-to-heads this season and 3-1 in career head-to-heads. Tipped at +650, Canas holds value. Having beaten Federer already twice this year, he is worth the risk. Banking a $100 on Canas would pay out $650 if he wins!

However, the two victories over Federer notwithstanding, Canas is not the same player he was at the beginning of the season. As such, betting on Canas this time around is chancy.

At the start of the season, fueled by the need to prove a point after successfully overturning a ban that prevented him from playing professional tennis, Canas launched a successful comeback trail. (Canas was banned for two years from professional tennis when doping allegations were brought against him.) Canas had a lot to prove at the time.

Taking into consideration the time and context in which he recorded the victories over Federer, Canas will be hard pressed to replicate the performances that shook the world of tennis earlier this year. Having made a successful comeback and reinstated himself in the Top 20, Canas’ fire seems to have fizzled since the springtime.

Recently, Canas has been slumping, and his summer hard court season has been less than spectacular. Aside from reaching the semifinal round at the Open de Mosele, he crashed out in the first and second rounds of the rest of his tournaments since the summer hard court season began. Taking the odds makers bait on Canas this time around would be a risk.

Meanwhile, it goes without saying, Federer has a lot to recommend him on this money line. Hyperbole, rhetoric, accolades and statistics aside, Federer wants an opportunity to avenge his two defeats this season to Guillermo Canas. Without a doubt, Federer eagerly awaits their clash in the third round, and this time he will win. Roger that!

Tennis Free Pick: Federer in straight sets

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