Posted on 1/29/2008 11:06:42 AM

Tennis Betting – Movistar Open First Round Picks

By Nila Amerova

Vina del Mar, Chile – After a sensational fortnight of Grand Slam action in Melbourne, the ATP tour heads to Chile where it stops for the Movistar Open – the first clay court tournament of the 2008 season. Heading to Vina del Mar is Peruvian Luis Horna, who won the Movistar Open title last year, as well as Chilean Fernando Gonazalez, Argentinean Juan Ignacio Chela and Spaniard Fernando Verdasco. Bet on the Movistar Open with BetUS Sportsbook.

First Round Tennis Picks:

Match Time: Starting from 9AM Eastern Time, Tuesday January 29, 2008-01-28

Tennis Betting Line: Fernando Gonzalez -5 -105 -600 Paul Capdeville +5 -135 +350

Tennis Prediction: After a disappointing run at the Australian Open that saw the 2007 runner-up Fernando Gonzalez crash out in the third round and drop in rankings from No.7 to 24, Gonzalez heads to his home event –the Movistar Open – where he receives top seeding. First up for the struggling Chilean is fellow compatriot No.100 Paul Capdeville, a player he owns a 1-0 record over (d. Capdeville in Beijing 2007). As home court advantage is cancelled out in this all-Chilean affair, higher ranking and overall game make Gonzalez the better play. However, any advantage Gonzalez may hold over Capdeville may very well be negated by a wavering confidence and an underwhelming start to the season.

Tennis Free Pick: Capdeveille in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: Nicolas Devilder +3½ -120 +175 Carlos Berlocq -3½ -120 -225

Tennis Prediction: No.78 Carlos Berlocq of Argentina, who enjoys playing on both hard and clay surfaces, has the edge in this matchup. Although they have never met at an ATP level event, Berlocq holds a 1-0 lead in Challenger events. In 2005, Berlocq and Devilder met in a Challenger event, the match went the way of Berlocq 6-2, 6-4.

In Sao Paolo (a challenger event) Berlocq enjoyed a run into the final, where he lost to Thiago Alves of Brazil. At the Australian Open, Berlocq crashed out in his opening match to Juan Monaco. At -225, Berlocq is the better play.

Tennis Free Pick: Berlocq in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: Luis Horna +3 -120 +150 Agustin Calleri -3 -120 -200

Tennis Prediction: It is interesting to note that defending champion No.76 Luis Horna of Peru is priced at +150 underdog odds in his opening match of the tournament; however, as he is facing a player he trails 2-4 in head-to-heads, his disadvantaged odds would appear to make sense. The question is whether his true odds of winning are greater than the price on offer; if so, he would be a value bet. In their six career meetings, Horna and Calleri met on clay three times, with the edge going to Horna 2-1. Horna prefers clay; whereas Calleri , who enjoys playing on all surfaces, has earned his best results on clay. This matchup should be a close contest, but the No.41 Agustin Calleri, who owns the most recent win over Horna (d. Horna at the 2008 Australian Open R128), should be the better play.

Tennis Free Pick: Calleri in three sets

Tennis Betting Line:

Nicolas Massu -3 -135 -200 Over 21½ -130 Sergio Roitman +3 -105 +150 Under 21½ -110

Tennis Prediction: Chilean Nicolas Massu owns a 2-1 lead over Sergio Roitman of Argentina. In the last two years, Massu finished runner-up at the Movistar Open – his home event. At -130, Massu is the better play.

Tennis Free Pick: Massu in three sets

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