Posted on 4/17/2008 5:34:48 PM

WTA Tennis Betting - Estoril Open Quarterfinal Tennis Picks

By Nila Amerova

Estoril, Portugal -- Bet on the Estoril Open at BetUS Sportsbook – your one-stop-shop for all your online tennis betting thrills. To get you started speculating, here is a look at the matchups schedule for Friday, April 18, 2008.

Tennis Betting Line: Maria Kirilenko vs. Tatiana Garbin

Analysis: Second seed Maria Kirilenko is the highest seed alive in the tournament, after top seed Flavia Pennetta was ousted in the second round. Currently ranked No.32 in the world Kirilenko, by advancing into the final eight, improves to 8-7 for the season. Kirilenko is not known for the best clay court game, most of her best results came on hard. At this event, in two tries (2003 and 2007) she failed to advance past the first round. As such, the balance tips in favour of the lower-ranked Garbin. No.50 Tatiana Garbin has the surface edge in this matchup. She favors clay and owns some of her best results in tournament play on the red dirt. Her best result at this event came in her debut year in 2000, where she made a semifinal appearance. Returning to this event for the first time since 2004, Garbin has an opportunity to upset the second seed and emerge into the final four.

Tennis Free Picks: Garbin in three sets

Tennis Betting Line: Maret Ani vs. Olga Savchuk

Analysis: No. 90 Olga Savchuk was my R16 pick to advance into the quarterfinal and I must say she came through, despite the odds against her. Savchuk upset the tournaments seventh seed in Sofia Arvidsson and in so doing, she arrives in the final eight with an improved 11-9 mark for the year. Savchuk is predominantly a clay courter, a fact reflected by her modest results during the hard court portion of the season. In this matchup, she faces No.145 Maret Ani of Estonia. A surprise member of the final eight cast at the Estoril Open. Again in terms of handicapping this match, I would give Savchuk the edge as she favors this surface. Ani favors hard courts.

Tennis Free Picks: Savchuk in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line:  Iveta Benesova vs. Camille Pin

Analysis: No.68 Camille Pin outranks No.132 Iveta Benesova, but I expect Benesova to emerge as the winner in this event. Benesova spends much of the season contesting clay court events on the WTA circuit and the ITF circuit. In Acapulco (clay), Benesova reached the quarterfinal and on the ITF circuit, she won the Latina (clay) event and finished runner-up in Torhout (clay). By all indications, Benesova should win this match. She also has the added confidence boost of upsetting the tournament’s top seed, Flavia Pennetta in the second round.

Tennis Free Picks: Benesova in straight sets

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