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posted August 14, 2007 at 19:54 in Tennis Free Picks

Cincinnati, Ohio – The second round of the ATP Masters Series in Cincinnati is shaping up with some exciting tennis matchups – capital for tennis betting enthusiasts.

The luck of the draw has created some high caliber matchups early in the tournament. Typically, with good matchups, the tennis lines are tighter and the odds are closer. Sometimes tennis bettors can luck out and find a steal – a line where the price is not right. So let us see if the price is right, or not, for some of the stellar matchups in the second round of the ATP Masters Series in Cincinnati.

In the top half of the draw, Julien Benneteau defeated Dmitry Tursunov 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 to earn a second round date with top seed Roger Federer; Lleyton Hewitt outlasted Stanislas Wawrinka with a three set victory 7-5, 3-6, 7-6(5) to earn a court date with eighth seed Richard Gasquet; and Carlos Moya won over David Nalbandian 7-6(4), 7-6(2) to meet with Rogers Cup Champion fourth seed Novak Djokovic.

Novak Djokovic -600 Carlos Moya +350

Tennis Prediction: – After defeating Roger Federer to win the Rogers Cup title, Novak Djokovic is a huge favorite in Cincinnati. Hard is Djokovic’s best surface, favoring his style of play.

With surface advantage entirely in Djokovic’s corner, at -600 the rising Serbian sensation is the sure play. Notwithstanding his victory last week, Djokovic is an overall hard court specialist and tough to beat.

Tied at 1 in head-to-heads, this is the first time Moya and Djokovic play on hard. Their previous two matchups were both on clay – Moya’s favorite surface. Moya at +350 holds value. In most cases, Moya at +350 would be a steal.

In 2007, Moya defeated Djokovic 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-5 in the quarterfinals of the ATP Masters Series in Hamburg (clay). Holding the most recent victory, Moya is an underdog that is capable of orchestrating an upset.

Can he upset last week’s golden boy? It is hard to imagine, as after defeating the World No.1 Federer, Djokovic’s confidence has reached new heights. Bringing Djokovic down will be hard. So long as Djokovic is focused, he should advance into the third round; however, should his victory send him on an ego trip, there is no one better to take him down a peg or two than the veteran Moyini.

Tennis Free Pick: – Moya in three sets for the surprise upset. (Don’t bet the farm on it, but it could happen!)

Ivan Ljubicic -325 Nicolas Almagro +210

Tennis Prediction: – Perhaps the best second round matchup in terms of underdog value is this one - for the reason that Ljubicic has been struggling this season. In his last two tournaments, Ljubicic crashed out with first round losses. Should he continue down this path, the +210 odds for Almagro look good.

 

Tennis Free Pick: – Almagro in straight sets.

Mikhail Youzhny -300 Sam Querrey +200

Tennis Prediction: - This is the first time these two meet in tournament play. With no history between Youzhny and Querrey to use as a measure, handicapping this matchup is a little more challenging.

 

Sam Querrey is a power-hitting giant, standing at an intimidating 6’6” tall. Loads of potential lies in this young Americans racquet, but he has yet to go through maturation – learn how to contain and harness his power effectively.

Youzhny on the other hand is a wily opponent. A good mover and thinker on court, his return game is one of his strengths.

How will these two stack up against each other? At +200, Querrey is a good bet to over-power Youzhny; in turn Youzhny at – 300 is a good bet to outwit Querrey. So, which style will dominate, power or wit?

Tennis Free Pick: - Youzhny to persevere in a close match.

Federer might be winning everything except clay these days, but with online sports betting in the BetUS.com Sportsbook, betting on tennis has never been so exciting! Join the BetUS.com online sportsbook today and start using the latest tennis lines, odds and props to earn cold, hard cash!

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