Posted on 4/16/2008 6:45:53 PM

Tennis Free Picks - Family Circle Cup R16

By Nila Amerova

Charleston, South Carolina – The tennis betting community loves Jelena Jankovic. But do they love Maria Sharapova more? How about Serena Williams? How much love is there for the top American tennis player? Heck, even Elena Dementieva has enjoyed resurgence this season. Where is the love for her?

At the prestigious Family Circle Cup – a prestigious Tier I event, boasting a $1.34-million prize purse, the trio of Jankovic, Sharapova and Williams enter the tournament as the odds makers short-odds-on favourites to win the title. With all three enjoying an outstanding 2008 year in their own right it is hard to knock the bookies in their choice.

So as all three are legitimate contenders – Jankovic goes one better as the reigning champion, here is a look at each of the trio’s quarters starting with Jankovic.

Tennis Betting Line: Jankovic vs. Rodionova

Match Time: 11:00 AM Eastern Time, Thursday April 17, 2008

Analysis: Jelena Jankovic improved to a 21-7 mark for the season with her first round victory. In seven tournaments contested this year, she has reached the quarterfinal of three, the semifinal of three and the final of one. With no less than a quarterfinal run thus far in her season and as the defending champion in this event she will be the overwhelming favorite.

Anastasia Rodionova is a long shot bet with little to recommend her. She weighs in at No.88 in the world and arrived in Charleston with an 8-9 mark for the year. She moved into the second round when Dominika Cibulkova, Bausch &Lomb runner-up, retired in the second set (down 4-6, 0-1).

Tennis Free Picks: Jankovic in straights sets

Tennis Betting Line: Vera Zvonareva vs. Bartoli

Match Time: 11:00 AM Eastern Time, Thursday April 17, 2008

Analysis: Sixth seed Marion Barotoli has endured an inconsistent season and arrived in Charleston with a 5-8 mark for the year. She improved to 6-8 when she defeated Casey Dellacqua in the first round. However, in Vera Zvonareva, the ninth seed, she faces one of the tour’s most in form players. Zvonareva arrived with an impressive 20-6 mark for the year and improved to 22-6 when she defeated Chia-Jung Chuang and Virginie Ruano-Pascual (as the ninth seed, Zvonareva did not receive a bye into the second round). Further recommending Zvonareva is a 3-1 lifetime record over Bartoli. Take Zvonareva to reach the quarterfinals.

Tennis Free Picks: Zvonareva in straight sets

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