posted March 27, 2008 at 19:03 in Tennis Free Picks

Miami, Florida – Day three of the Tier I event in Miami will see World No.1 Justine Henin start her campaign against Angelique Kerber of Germany. Last year in the final against Serena Williams, Henin blew a 6-0 first set lead and two match points, allowing the Williams to impose herself in the match and comeback from behind to win 0-6, 7-5, 6-3. Although Henin lost (terribly at that) it was her best performance in five tries at this event; previously the furthest Henin had advanced was the quarterfinals in Miami. At the 2008 Sony Ericsson Open, Henin will hope to put her disappointment of last year’s final behind her. Kicking off her Miami campaign against Angelique Kerber, here is a look at Henin’s quarter of the draw and a breakdown of the second round action in her quarter.

Match Time: 10:00 AM Eastern Time, Friday March 28, 2008

Tennis betting Line: Justine Henin vs. Angelique Kerber

Tennis Prediction: With the championship credentials that precede World No.1 Justine Henin into this matchup, few would bet against her in her opening round contest in Miami. Owning a 12-2 record for the season, which includes two WTA titles, Henin should edge past the 20-year-old Kerber easily.

Tennis Free Pick: Henin in straight sets

Tennis betting Line: Sara Errani vs. Maria Kirilenko

Tennis Prediction: Seeded thirtieth in the tournament, the twenty-one-year-old Russian beauty by virtue of rank should be favored to advance in this match. After getting off to a promising start early this season (Kirilenko reached the quarterfinal of Auckland and the R16 in Australian Open, upsetting Ana Chakvetadze in the R32), Kirilenko has been on a bit of a downward slide, and in her four subsequent tournaments saw her crash out of her opening match. A sign of what to expect tomorrow? Perhaps, but I will go with the Russian, and hope for a turnaround in her luck.

Tennis Free Pick: Kirilenko in straight sets

Tennis betting Line: Agnes Szavay vs. Elena Vesnina

Tennis Prediction: Agnes Szavay is another player who after posting some promising results in 2007, has floundered in 2008. To date, Szavay posted one performance reminiscent of her 2007 season, a run to the final in Paris. Since then she has struggled to factor in a tournament. With no sign of gaining confidence, Szavay would be a risky play. Go with Vesnina to advance.

Tennis Free Pick: Vesnina in straight sets

Tennis betting Line: Virginie Razzano vs. Ashley Harkleroad

Tennis Prediction: This is the second time this season, Razzano and Harkleroad meet; they first met in the opening round of the 2008 Australian Open and Razzano seized the victory in straight sets 6-3, 7-5. However, in Miami, the American Harkleroad will be the crowd favorite, and with support a plenty, she may be spurred to the next round. Recommending Harkleroad is a 16-5 record for the season, which includes a semifinal run in Hobart and a R16 appearance in Indian Wells.

Tennis Free Pick:

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