ATP Basel Semis - Redemption on the line in all Argentinean Affair

Basel, Switzerland – The bottom half of the draw has fallen in line with pre-tournament predictions as second seed David Nalbandian and third seed Juan Martin Del Potro emerge in to the final four. Both scored important victories in the quarterfinal today to set up their scintillating clash – a matchup that from the start of the tournament was a much-anticipated tennis-betting affair.

In Madrid last week, they met in the R16. Nalbandian was the defending champion in Madrid, but his title defence campaign ended when Del Potro rose to the occasion, beating him in straight sets 6-4, 6-2. Now Nalbandian has a second shot in as much time at Del Potro. Will Nalbandian redeem himself this time around or will Del Potro assert himself as the new standard in Argentine tennis by trumping his compatriot and Davis Cup teammate in back-to-back events.

Tennis Betting Line: David Nalbandian vs. Juan Martin Del Potro

Match Time: 05:00 AM Eastern Time, Saturday October 24, 2008

Head-to-Head Analysis: The series is tied 1-1. David Nalbandian beat Del Potro in 2007 at the ATP Masters Series R16, 6-2, 6-4. A year later, ironically at the same event and in the same round even, Del Potro got his revenge when he beat Nalbandian 6-4, 6-2.

Tennis Betting Analysis: This match has the markings of a derby. Last week, Nalbandian suffered his first-ever loss to Del Potro.

For a long time, Nalbandian had been the standard-bearer of Argentine tennis and the Davis Cup teams’ No.1 player. Recently, there has been some controversy in the Argentine camp as they prepare for next month’s final against Spain, and Nalbandian has been in the thick of it all. Admittedly, the Davis Cup tie between Argentina and Spain is very important to the team’s talisman Nalbandian – so much so, all his focus has been on Buenos Aires. Seemingly distracted with all the brouhaha over the choice of venue and surface for the Davis Cup final, Nalbandian could perhaps fault his own indifference for having lost last week’s match in Madrid.

Now that all the drama seems to have been dialled back, you can bet Nalbandian will be ready to step up against Del Potro. He has only himself to blame for falling off track in Madrid and he will want to assert himself tomorrow.

Del Potro is the red-hot betting ticket in the market. Unlike Nalbandian, Del Potro is still in the running for a berth at the Tennis Masters Cup. A chance to qualify for the year-end showdown in Shanghai is a huge incentive for the young rising Argentine to back-up his victory with another one against his compatriot.

Tennis Betting Verdict: It is always important to make a strong start in big matches. Last week, Nalbandian instantly found he was trailing in both sets, and on such a quick surface, against a server like Del Potro, coming back never seemed on the cards. He went down easily 6-4, 6-2. This time around, I expect a closer and tighter contest, possibly even a three setter, in what is surely going to be an emotionally charged encounter. Both players have something to prove and they have an equal shot of advancing into the final. The balance tips in favor of Nalbandian for me. He will have learnt the lessons in his loss last week and will avoid making the same mistakes tomorrow.

Tennis Free Picks: Nalbandian in three sets

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