Posted on 3/6/2008 6:39:18 PM

Tennis Picks - Barclay’s Dubai Championships Semifinals

By Nila Amerova

Dubai, UAE – The Barclay’s Dubai Tennis Championships received the cat’s pajamas of semifinal billings today, when Roddick served up his biggest victory in more than four years in the quarterfinal, earning a berth opposite No.3 Novak Djokovic , a player he lost to only once before – at the ATP Masters Series in Montreal, when Roddick was ranked No.3 in the world. Djokovic went on to win the title in Montreal, becoming the first player since Boris Becker to beat, in succession , all three top ranked players in a tournament (d. No.3 Roddick in the quarterfinal, d. No.2 Nadal in the semifinal and No.1 Roger Federer in the final).

Now Roddick will have another shot at the Serbian sensation as the two competitors won their respective quarterfinals to set up perhaps the most intriguing semifinal clash in Dubai. With the odds already in full swing at BetUS Sportsbook, here is a breakdown of their stellar match up.

Tennis Betting Line: Novak Djokovic -300 Andy Roddick +200

Match Time: 05:00 AM Eastern Time, Friday March 7, 2008

Andy Roddick +200

American Roddick fired 17 aces, one of which closed out the match, to upset World No.2 and second seed Rafael Nadal of Spain 7-6(5), 6-2 in the Dubai quarterfinals. The victory marks Roddick’s first victory over a player ranked No.2 or higher in over four years! However, aside from causing a stir on-court, off-court Roddick delivered another stunner when he announced the split from part-time Coach Jimmy Connors.

Under Jimmy Connors, Roddick’s overall game improved, his backhand became less of a liability and more importantly, his spirit saw the revitalization it was so desperately wanting. You have to credit Connors work. More importantly, whether you are a fan – or not – of the vociferous Roddick, he deserves praise for his turn-around.

Still one of his biggest arsenals is his serve, and he brought it to Nadal a plenty in the quarterfinal. One ace clocked at 149.75mph – breaking a Dubai record he himself set just a day earlier. There is no doubt, Roddick will be a huge challenge for Djokovic tomorrow.

At +200, Andy Roddick’s price is too god to ignore. True the former World No.1 has enjoyed some heartbreak against top players over the last few years, and none more so than against Roger Federer, but perhaps today’s victory is a sign of a shift in his fortunes. And bettors who have stuck by the heartbreak kid through his tough times may finally have the good fortune of smiling alongside Roddick tomorrow, especially when a wager on the American will payout two-fold should he win.

Roddick improves to 13/2 for the season and holds one ATP title in 2008 – San Jose.

Novak Djokovic -300

Conversely, Australian Open champion Djokovic will be a huge assignment in his own right for Andy Roddick to overcome. Djokovic enjoyed an emphatic victory in the quarterfinal over Igor Andreev 6-2, 6-1, and equally comfortable wins over Fabrice Santoro in the second round and Marin Cilic in the first round.

Roddick will present Djokovic his toughest match in Dubai – that is certain. Djokovic will have the confidence of a 1-0 edge over Roddick and the added ego boost a Grand Slam title can give a player. The sum total of which should give Djokovic the mental edge. However, Djokovic has a propensity to get nervous in matches – his incessant ball bouncing before serving the only telltale sign to what otherwise would appear as a composed player on the court.

Djokovic improves to 11/2 for the season and holds one ATP title in 2008 – Australian Open.

Tennis Prediction: The way I see this match going is like this: Roddick is enjoying a new high, defeating No.2 Rafael Nadal, and riding the momentum he will get off to a running start against Djokovic. Djokovic, whose Grand Slam victory high has had ample time to tapper-off, could be caught off guard by Roddick’s renaissance and in spite of numerous ball-bouncing and other delay-tactics he employs to slowdown the pace of a match to his liking, Roddick will dictate the play off of his serve and advance to his first-ever Dubai final.

Tennis Free Picks: Roddick in straight sets

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