Posted on 3/6/2008 5:57:42 PM

WTA Tennis Odds - Bangalore Open Quarterfinal Picks

By Nila Amerova

Bangalore, India – As the Bangalore Open moves into the quarterfinal round, the top four seeds reigned supreme with second round victories that saw them receive their predetermined berths in the final eight. After receiving a first round bye, top seed Jelena Jankovic followed by Venus and Serena Williams, and bringing up the butt of the top four, Patty Schyder, all got their Bangalore Open 2008 underway with more-or-less overpowering victories (the only exception was Venus whose lapse in focus cost her a second set-tiebreak, forcing her to pull through in the third set).

Tennis Betting Line:

Patty Schnyder -400 Akgul Amanmuradova +250

Patty Schnyder (1st Set) -250 Akgul Amanmuradova (1st Set) +185

Match Time: 12:30 AM Eastern Time, Friday March 7, 2008

Tennis Prediction: No.12 Patty Schnyder of Switzerland meets No.83 Akgul Amanmuradova for the first time. The 29 year-old Swiss, who has lifted 10 Sony Ericsson WTA titles during the course of her long career is favoured at -400, over Amanmuradova of Uzbekistan, who at 23-years-old has yet to lift her maiden title.

Amanmuradova came to attention this year at the Pattaya Open, when she reached her first WTA semifinal of 2008. At 6’3” tall, Amanmuradova has a powerful serve and aggressive groundstrokes that could rattle Schnyder, taking her to a second semifinal of the season.

Tennis Free Picks: Amanmuradova in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line:

Anastasia Rodinova +600 Serena Williams -1200

Anastasia Rodinova (1st Set) +350 Serena Williams (1st Set) -600

Match Time: 12:30 AM Eastern Time, Friday March 7, 2008

Tennis Prediction: Frankly, I must admit to some surprise at this billing, as No.86 Anastasia Rodionova was not the player I had slotted for a berth in the quarterfinal. The 25-year-old Rodionova is best known for her on-court antics then play, but two years running, Rodionova finished in the Top 100 (2006-07). Although credit to her, she has earned some noteworthy results on the doubles circuit, but what began as a promising singles talent as well – Rodionova won the 2000 Russian Championships 18s in singles and doubles – did not mature accordingly on the professional circuit. At +600, Rodionova is a long shot in every sense of the term. Against Serena Williams, Rodionova trails 0-1. Dwelling too much on Serena Williams greatness seems an uneconomical waste of wordsmith-ing. Simply put, Williams at -1200 is a no-brainer.

Tennis Free Picks: Williams in straight sets

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