Posted on
10/22/2007 5:35:31 PM
Tennis Grand Prix Betting: Roddick -900 Favorite
By Nila Amerova
Lyon, France – While Andy Roddick has enjoyed very little success at Roland Garros, it doesn’t mean he wasn’t a titlist in France. The 2005 Lyon Champion Andy Roddick, who withdrew from last weeks’ ATP Masters Series in Madrid, is back in action to lead the playing field in Lyon, France.
Top seed Andy Roddick missed this event last year, but this year returns to vie for a second crown in France. Also in contention are [2] Tommy Robredo, [3] Tommy Haas, and defending champion, [4] Richard Gasquet amongst several others. The playing field rife with talent, Andy Roddicks’ campaign will be challenging to say the least.
So how will the A-Rod fare? Will it be déjà vu all over again in France as he gets blown out of the tournament in the first round (Andy Roddick crashed out of 2007 Roland Garros in the first round), or will he live up to expectations and advance through the rounds.
Roddick was dealt no favors in the draw; his draw littered with Frenchman, Roddick will most likely be forced to compete against the crowd favorites throughout the entire tournament.
In the first round, Roddick meets one of France’s darlings Fabrice Santoro. In the second round, Roddick could potentially meet Frenchman Sebastien Grosjean; in the quarterfinal, he could potentially face either of three Frenchmen: Julien Benneteau, Simon Gilles or Edouard Roger-Vasselin; and in the semifinal, the pundits favorite Frenchman Richard Gasquet would most likely be waiting, but underdogs Frenchman Jo-Wilfred Tsonga and to a lesser extent Michael Llodra cannot be discounted as possible contenders.
Tennis Gambling Line: Andy Roddick -900 Fabrice Santoro +450
Match Time: 05:00 A.M. EST
Tennis Prediction: During Andy Roddicks’ title run in 2005, he met No. 46 Fabrice Santoro in the semifinal. Roddick topped Santoro in straight sets 6-4 7-6(5). In their only other meeting in Washington (2000), Roddick was forced to battle back from a set down to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.
The first round match between Roddick and Santoro marks their third career meeting; Roddick leads 2-0. A Top 10 ranking, a 2-0 record, a 51/13 record for the season and two ATP titles in 2007 are just a few specifics that recommend Roddick on this money line. At a whopping price tag of -900, the favorite Roddick would be a good play.
However, in spite of Roddick’s head-to-head edge, this match will not be easy. Frenchman Fabrice “The Magician” Santoro is a real crowd-pleaser and with no shortage of supporters, Santoro will be motivated to bring his best. At +450, Santoro is a good bet to record his first victory over Roddick. Aside from home court advantage, Santoro has the fortune of meeting Roddick in questionable form. Roddick withdrew last week from the ATP Masters Series in Madrid with a knee injury. If Roddick is not in his best form, Santoro may have the best-ever opportunity to notch his first career victory over Roddick.
Santoro is a great on court mover and shot maker, he could have Roddick on the run throughout the match, and since Roddick at his best form is not a great mover, hampered by a knee injury, Roddick’s game could be slightly more vulnerable than it would have been under different circumstances.
Aside from his first round loss at the French Open this year, Roddick has yet to suffer another first round defeat. This match has the potential to deliver such a result. The enticement to bet against Roddick is too good to ignore.
Tennis Free Pick: Santoro for the upset in straight sets
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Nila Amerova is a freelance sports writer and regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room.