Posted on
10/17/2007 8:53:28 PM
Tennis Masters Series Wagering: Madrid Third Round Picks
By Nila Amerova
Madrid, Spain -- The ATP Masters Series in Madrid moves into the third round on Thursday, October 17, 2007. Check out the tennis odds with BetUS Sportsbook and get your tennis betting thrills betting on some of the great match ups shaping up.
Tennis Wagering Line: Juan Monaco +150 Fernando Gonzalez -200
Match Time: 04:00 AM EST
Tennis Prediction: The last time No.20 Juan Monaco met No.6 Fernando Gonzalez was in 2004 in Bastad, Sweden (Clay). Gonzalez notched the victory in straight sets 6-4, 6-4. More than three years since they last met; their record cannot factor significantly in the up-coming match.
This season Monaco has been enjoying some successes. Monaco at +150 is a good bet. He brings into this match a 40/16 record for the season and three ATP titles, all of which were earned on clay. There is no doubt that Monaco favors clay, but his hard court game is solid. At the AMS in Cincinnati and the 2007 US Open, he reached the R1 and in Stockholm, he reached the quarterfinals. This matchup is ripe for an upset, take the odds makers bait and bet on Monaco.
Tennis Free Pick: Monaco in three sets.
Tennis Wagering Line: Mario Ancic -150 Paul-Henri Mathieu +110
Match Time: 05:00 AM EST
Tennis Prediction :Tied at 1 a piece in head-to-heads, betting on either Ancic or Mathieu would make for a good bet. Neither player is a long shot on this money line.
On paper, Mathieu, who is disadvantaged at +110, would be the better play. Mathieu brings a 44/21 record for the season and two ATP titles. Moreover, he arrives into the third round on the heels of an upset in the second round, a hard fought 7-6(8), 7-5 victory over compatriot No.11 Richard Gasquet.
The victory over Gasquet, who is the top-ranked Frenchman, marks Mathieu’s first ever victory over his kinsman. The magnitude of his achievement could spill over into his next match, boosting his confidence immeasurably. Betting on a confident player is never a bad strategy.
No. 49 Mario Ancic is favored in this match up. He arrives on the heels of an upset in the second round as well, defeating James Blake in straight sets. While Ancic ranks low, his rank belies his true potential. Having missed most of the season with an illness, Ancic is on a comeback trail. He belongs in the Top 10 players, and it is only a matter of time before he reinstates himself.
However, in terms of betting on this match, Mathieu holds the edge. In good form and with a career-first victory over Gasquet, Mathieu’s confidence should propel him deep into this tournament.
Tennis Free Pick: Mathieu in three sets.
Tennis Wagering Line: Stefan Koubek EV Feliciano Lopez -140
Match Time: 05:00 AM EST
Tennis Prediction: Spaniard No.42 Feliciano Lopez holds a 4-2 record over Austrian No.68 Stefan Koubek – of which three victories were recorded on hard. However, in 2007, Lopez and Koubek are tied at 1 apiece in head-to-heads, the most recent of which went the way of Lopez in Austria. Having recently beaten Koubek on his home turf, Lopez, with the added bonus of home court advantage, would appear to be the better bet.
Tennis Free Pick: Lopez in straight sets
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Nila Amerova is a freelance sports writer and regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room.