Posted on 8/27/2007 6:25:07 PM

Tennis Odds – Betting on the US Open - Roger Federer’s Quarter

By Nila Amerova

Flushing Meadows, New York – Attention tennis betting fanatics the first round of the men and women’s US Open is underway. Three-time defending champion Roger Federer got through the first day of action with customary ease – in straight sets. Tipped at a whopping -20000, top seed [1] Federer dismissed Sconville Jenkins (+2000) 6-3, 6-3, 6-4.

Federer’s corner of the draw is riddled with qualifiers, making his run to the R16 no more challenging than a stroll through the park. In the second round, Federer will face the winner of No. 145 Rainer Scheutter vs. No.120 Paul Capdeville; and in the third round, a potential challenge could come from either (WC) No.184 John Isner, or (Q) No.146 Rik De Voest. Betting on Federer as he skips through the early rounds should be a no brainer.

In the R16, Federer most likely will meet [13] Richard Gasquet. While there is a lot of hype surrounding this potential matchup, it is rather unwarranted. Not to take away from Gasquet, but like most he falls flat when facing the majestic Federer. Frankly, with Federer’s comfortable 6-1 record over Gasquet, which spans over three years, Gasquet stands very little chance. At best, tennis enthusiasts can look forward to the occasional brilliant exchange and flashy moment. But nothing more as Federer will be sure to take care of business.

Federer’s first challenge should present itself in the quarterfinal, where a potential matchup against {5}Andy Roddick is expected, or to a lesser extent – a possible matchup against either [9] Berdych or [22] Paul-Henri Mathieu.

If all goes according to pre-tournament predictions, Berdych and Mathieu should meet in the third round. This should be the most tightly contested match in Federer’s quarter of the draw, the winner of which will advance into the R16, where -- save for the unlikeliest happening -- Roddick should be waiting.

Roddick in the first round meets kinsman No.475 Justin Gimelstob. It can be safe to assume Roddick will advance in straight sets to meet the winner of No. 70 Jose Acasuso or No. 73 Martin Arguello Vassallo in the second round.

For Roddick things should get interesting in the third round, where he could meet either No. 68 Tomas Johansson, No. 42 Arnaud Clement, or No. Ivo Karlovic. In terms of records, Roddick: holds a 4-0 head-to-head record against Johansson, the most recent victory notched in Memphis (2007); tied at 2 in head-to-head records against Clement, with the last two victories going his way; and leads 3-1 against Karlovic, with the most recent victory earned in Washington (2007).

For Roddick, if there is an early upset it threatens in the R16. Both Berdych and Mathieu hold a 1-1 lifetime career record over Roddick, which includes victories over Roddick on hard. Should Roddick meet either Berdych or Mathieu in the R16, betting against Roddick may prove to be the winning bet.

Roddick has not lived up to all the hype surrounding him this season, and despite a good showing at the US Open Series that saw him make deep runs at several tournaments, he has faltered against Top 20 players. Roddick’s only US Open Series title came in Washington with victories over players ranked as high as the Top 30’s (in the 2nd round No.38 Hyung-Taik Lee) to as low as beyond the Top 400 (in the final match No.416 John Isner).

In Roger Federer’s quarter, you can go ahead and pencil Federer’s name in the corresponding quarterfinal spot – heck you might as well even do it in ink – for his place in the quarterfinal is a forgone conclusion.

The only question remaining is who will earn the right to confront Federer in the quarterfinal round? The front runners in Federer’s quarter are [5] Andy Roddick, [9] Tomas Berdych and [22] Paul-Henri Mathieu.

Banking on Roddick is considered the sure play, and to some extent banking on Berdych is considered a sound play, but of the three, should Paul-Henri Mathieu persevere and top Berdych in the third round, then the balance tips in his favor to orchestrate the upset over Roddick in the R16.

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.