Posted on 11/8/2007 1:26:30 PM

Tennis Wagering Picks - Henin vs. Bartoli

By Nila Amerova

Madrid, Spain – Following Day 2 action, Serena Williams was forced to withdraw from the at the Sony Ericsson Championships after aggravating a left knee injury in her opening match against Ana Chakvetadze. In her stead, alternate No.10 Marion Bartoli steps up. The last time Henin faced Bartoli was at the 2007 Wimbledon semifinals; Bartoli orchestrated the biggest upset of the tournament when she battled back from a set down to defeat Henin in three sets, crushing Henin’s Wimbledon aspirations. Will Henin avenge her loss? BetUS tips Henin as a huge favorite at -1200.

Tennis Line – Justine Henin    -1200        Marion Bartoli    +600
Match Date: Thursday, November 8, 2007
Match Time: 02:00 PM EST

Head-to-Head Record: Henin Leads 3-1
2003 TORONTO HARD R32    J. HENIN  6-3 6-3 
2007 EASTBOURNE GRASS    S       J. HENIN  6-1 6-3 
2007 WIMBLEDON GRASS     S       M. BARTOLI  1-6 7-5 6-1 

Tennis Prediction – Alternate Marion Bartoli, enters the Sony Ericsson Championships as the first alternate player. Serena Williams’ misfortune (a left-knee injury that forced her to withdraw from the championship event) turned out to be Bartoli’s fortune. But for how long? Bartoli’s first match up is against World No.1 Justine Henin, who is anxious to avenge the Wimbledon semifinal loss that dashed her hopes of a Wimbledon crown this year and a Career Grand Slam. (Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam title Henin has not won; winning Wimbledon would complete a Career Grand Slam for Henin – winning all four Grand Slam titles in a career.)

Bartoli at +600 is a long shot. Although Bartoli nicked a victory against Henin on one of the grandest stages in tennis – Wimbledon Centre Court – and finished as the runner-up (lost to Venus Williams in the Wimbledon final), since her magical run at the All England Club, Bartoli turned out modest performances in her subsequent events, and failed to capitalize on the promise of her Wimbledon campaign.

Wimbledon proved to be the catalyst that shot Bartoli up the ranks (into the Top 20) and into the spotlight, but Bartoli noticeably did not respond well to the pressures, having not reached a final since Wimbledon; her best result, following Wimbledon, were two semifinal runs – Luxembourg and Linz.

Bartoli brings a quirky style and game to this match – a style that simply by its virtue of unusualness is difficult to play against. Bartoli could unnerve Henin yet again, however, with Henin enjoying one of her career’s best seasons and riding a 22-match wining streak, it will take more than a little quirkiness to derail Henin off of her course. Henin is the better play.

Tennis Free Pick – Henin in straight sets

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