Posted on
4/16/2008 7:46:01 PM
WTA Tennis Odds - Pacific Life Open Quarterfinal Picks
By Nila Amerova
Indian Wells, CA – The high-flying Serbian duo – top seed Ana Ivanovic and third seed Jelena Jankovic – are set to contest their quarterfinal round matches at the Pacific Life Open on Thursday, March 20, 2008. The tennis odds are already in full swing at BetUS for the sensational quarterfinal line-up; with last year’s runner-up Svetlana Kuznetsova – the first to confirm her berth in the semifinal – you will not want to miss betting on the remaining quarterfinal matchups at this prestigious Tier I event. Check out the odds and start betting on tennis.
Tennis Free Picks
Match Time: 02:00PM Eastern Time, Thursday March 20, 2008
To win Outright: Jelena Jankovic -150 Lindsay Davenport +110
To win first Set: Jelena Jankovic (1st Set) -135 1508 Lindsay Davenport (1st Set) -105
Match Time: 04:00 PM Eastern Time, Thursday March 20, 2008
Analysis: In Dubai in 2005, Lindsay Davenport, as the World No.1 player, defeated Jelena Jankovic (ranked No.28 at the time) in a tough three set match 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. Even then, the Serbian tennis star held the promise of a bright future. Now, the roles are somewhat reversed, with the 23-year-old Serbian ranked in the Top 5, while Davenport is on a path of renaissance after taking some time off from professional tennis. As the third seed and World No.4 Jankovic holds value as the -150 favorite. However, lifetime she trails 1-4 against Davenport, earning her first and only career win over the American last year in Beijing. (In 2007, they met twice splitting apiece the victories.)
Currently ranked No.36, Davenport is tipped modestly at +110 underdog odds. The American arrived in Indian Wells with a 12-2 record for the season and two WTA titles for the year – Auckland and Memphis. Receiving the twenty-fourth seed, Davenport earned a bye into the second round and en route to the final eight, the 31-year-old American topped Gisela Dulko, Yung-Jan Chan and sixth seed Marion Bartoli. Davenport holds the edge on American soil, but Jankovic is a likeable player and crowds worldwide enjoy supporting her.
Davenport’s overall career and championship credentials weigh in on her odds, making her an underdog worth considering. However, Jankovic is the de facto favorite.
Tennis Free Pick: Jankovic in three sets
Tennis Betting Lines
Match Time: 02:00PM Eastern Time, Thursday March 20, 2008
To win Outright: Ana Ivanovic -330 Vera Zvonareva +220
To win first Set: Ana Ivanovic (1st Set) -250 Vera Zvonareva (1st Set) +185
Analysis: There is no question Ana Ivanovic is a threat in any tournament she contests. By reaching two Grand Slam finals – French Open (2007) and Australian Open(2008) – the semifinals of Wimbledon, the R16 at the 2007US Open and winning three of five career titles in 2007, Ivanovic was catapulted in the rankings. As the World No.2 she is indeed a threat in every tournament, however, the one noticeable facet missing on her credentials as a Top 5 elite player is a major title. If Ivanovic wants to deliver on her promise of winning a Grand Slam title, she must prove she is capable of winning a major title – a Tier I event like the Pacific Life Open for example. Tier I events are second only to Grand Slam events, and as the top seed in Indian Wells, by default as World No.1 Justine Henin chose to miss this event, Ivanovic is one of the short-odds-on favourites for the title.
Against Vera Zvonareva Ivanovic does not hold a convincing record. Lifetime, they are tied at 2-2; but in 2007, Zvonareva led 2-1 in head to heads. Zvonareva is enjoying a great 2008 season, with two quarterfinal appearances – in Auckland and Bangalore, and two runner-up finishes – in Hobart and Doha, the only blot on her 2008 year was her first round exit at the Australian Open. Last year she dismissed the defending champion Maria Sharapova in the R16; indeed, Zvonareva is a tough competitor, who can orchestrate the upset.
Tennis Free Pick: Zvonareva in three sets
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Nila Amerova is a freelance sports writer and regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room.