posted July 16, 2008 at 19:24 in Tennis Betting Trends

Umag, Croatia – The online tennis betting market at BetUS Sportsbook is offering tennis wagering odds on the second round at the Studena Croatia Open. With some hometown favourites, true blue dirtballers and young up-and-comers in action this week, online sports bettors have an exciting menu of tennis wagers to chose from. To help you along with making your tennis picks, here is a look at the upcoming tennis gambling action for the Studena Croatia Open on Tuesday, July 15, 2008.

Tennis Betting Line: Ivan Ljubicic -500 Roko Karanusic +300

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

Tennis Analysis: Croatian Ivan Ljubicic owns a 1-0 edge over his younger compatriot Roko Karanusic, having beaten him last year in Zagreb. It comes as no surprise that the higher ranked Ljubicic –the more experienced and seasoned of the two – enters as the steep favourite. But the fact of the matter is Ljubicic is but a shadow of the player he used to be. He has fallen in rankings and suffered some demoralizing opening and early round losses at the Australian Open, Rotterdam, ATP Masters Series Miami, Monte Carlo, Rome and Hamburg, Halle, s-Hertogenbosch and Wimbledon. In fact, he has enjoyed more disappointment than success this season. So although he is a favourite he is not a sure bet. Roko Karanusic is no spring chicken at just shy of 26-years of age. He ranks just without the top 100 and spends a lot of time contesting the lower circuit events. He won one earlier this year.

Tennis Betting Verdict: Now the chance of an upset here is possible, but then again I am not sure that Karanusic’s game warrants much credence. Home court edge is cancelled out so it is a bit of a tossup of a match. In the end, I like Ljubicic to come through.

Tennis Free Picks: Ljubicic in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: Maximo Gonzalez +250 Ivo Karlovic -400

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

Tennis Analysis: No.20 Ivo Karlovic got what was largely a disappointing turnout in 2008 on track with a victory in Nottingham last month. However, he followed up with disappointing first round exit from Wimbledon. Since he has not enjoyed a lot of success at the All England Club – in four tries he has fallen in the opening round – perhaps his Grand Slam turnout can be overlooked. It is a fact that Karlovic fares better in minor tournaments where his serve is deadly against lesser challengers. Maximo Gonzalez ranks No. 101 in the world and arrives in Umag after winning a clay-court challenger event. This year he also finished runner-up in another challenger. Gonzalez flits between the lower and main circuit with mixed results. In ATP-level play, he posted only one match win prior to the Studena Croatia Open. With the opening round victory over Filip Prpic he improved to 2-3.

Tennis Betting Verdict: Karlovic owns home court edge in this match. Although the best mover on clay he is not and clay takes away some of the power of his serve, he should ace his way to a victory against Gonzalez.

Tennis Free Picks: Karlovic in straight sets

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