Bell Challenge First Round Picks

Quebec City – The WTA Bell Challenge, in Quebec City, kicks of this week with several promising up-and-comers in action. So as the tennis betting market heats up, here is a look at some of the first round action currently available.

Tennis Betting Line: Edina Gallovits +250 Aleksandra Wozniak -400

Match Time: 11:00 AM Eastern Time, October 28, 2008

Tennis Betting Analysis: Canada’s Aleksandra Wozniak has home court edge so she will be the crowd favourite to not only win her opening match but challenge for the title in Quebec City. Currently ranked No.37 in the world, Wozniak enjoyed one remarkable tournament this season in Stanford, when she emerged from the qualifying rounds to win her maiden WTA title, beating Serena Williams in the semis. Overall, she is 37-21 for the year. A fortnight ago in Japan, Wozniak pushed to the semis in Tokyo.

Tennis Betting Verdict: No.94 Edina Gallovits from Romania brings a 17-16 mark. Given her season has hardly been noteworthy, the 23-year-old Romanian does not appear to have an outside chance. Wozniak should win before her home crowd.

Tennis Free Picks: Wozniak in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: Sofia Arvidssom -250 Galina Voskoboeva +185

Match Time: 11:00 AM Eastern Time, October 28, 2008

Tennis Betting Analysis: No. 58 Sofia Arvidsson brings a 27-22 mark for the season. In indoor events she is 1-4. She failed to qualify in Stuttgart and crashed out of the opening rounds in Shrewsbury and Luxembourg. In Zurich, she won her only hard court match but fell in the second round.

No. 98 Galina Voskoboeva owns a 2-1 edge against Arvidsson but the last time they played was in Sydney earlier this season in the qualifying rounds. Arvidsson won that match. The 24-year-old from Kazakhstan brings a 28-26 mark.

Tennis Betting Verdict: This should be a derby. They have played each other three times most recently earlier this year. Both have an equal chance of moving into the second round. In terms of betting, Voskoboeva’s odds are more attractive.

Tennis Free Picks: Voskoboeva in three sets

Tennis Betting Line: Anna Lena Groenefeld -200 Nathalie Dechy +150

Match Time: 11:00 AM Eastern Time, October 28, 2008

Tennis Betting Analysis: Veteran Frenchwoman Nathalie Dechy cuts such an unassuming figure on court that she is easily overlooked. Currently weighing in at No.75, Dechy enjoyed a great match against Ana Ivanovic at the Wimbledon Championships this year where she nigh-upset the top seed. In the end, mentally unable to rise to the occasion, Dechy was not able to close out the match. Overall, she is 21-20 for the year.

No. 77 Anna-Lena Groenfeld brings a 39-9 mark for the season but the bulk of her results came from the lower circuits. Although she enjoyed some great results in the lower ranks – winning four titles – the calibre of her opponents at that level is markedly lesser.

Tennis Betting Verdict: Dechy is a veteran with a whole lot of experience. I like her to move to the second round.

Tennis Free Picks: Dechy in straight sets

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