BNP Paribas Masters - Querrey sets up Murray clash

Paris, France – The online sports betting community received an exciting second round matchup at the BNP Paribas Masters to bet on tomorrow. Though the tennis betting line is decidedly one-sided (suppose it could not be otherwise, what with Scot Andy Murray tearing up something fierce on the ATP circuit lately), is all really that bleak for Querrey or does he have an outside chance to orchestrate the upset?

Murray enters the BNP Paribas on the strength of a title victory in St. Petersburg on Sunday and a Masters Shield triumph in Madrid on the previous Sunday. Prior to Madrid, Murray finished runner-up at the US Open (l. to Federer)

Murray takes a 10 match-winning streak, great form and high confidence against Querrey. But as all great runs go, they inevitably end. Is Querrey up for the challenge?

Querrey moved into the second round after earning a win over Marcos Baghdatis. Querrey advanced with a 7-5, 6-7((5), 3-2 score.

Tennis Betting Line: Andy Murray -1400 Sam Querrey +650

Match Time: 05:00 AM Eastern Time Wednesday October 29, 2008

Head-to-head Analysis: Andy Murray owns the head-to-head series 2-0, having relinquished no sets to the American. In 2008, they met at the ATP Masters Series Cincinnati R32, where Murray beat Querrey 7-6(3), 6-1 en route to picking up his maiden Masters title.

Tennis Betting Analysis:

Murray (-1400) The steep price tag on Murray says all one needs to know about this match up. Murray is one of the hottest betting tickets in the market right now. He won two back-to-back events in Madrid and St. Petersburg – his second career Masters Shield and second consecutive victory in the Tsarist capital of Russia. Gunning for his third Masters Shield in Paris few tennis bettors would bet against him doing so; however, as he has logged in a lot of court time over the last two weeks and is probably suffering some affects of jet lag from his journey from St. Petersburg, some believe Murray may be susceptible to an upset.

Sam Querrey (+650) Sam Querrey undoubtedly is a talent in waiting so to speak. There is a lot of wiggle room for him in terms of development and maturity as a valid challenger. He has had some encouraging results this season, not to mention a breakthrough summer. However, Querrey has yet to record a huge scalp like beating Murray.

Tennis Betting Verdict: True, Murray may be pooped somewhat. He has had a busy fortnight after all. But the champion that he has proven to be should prepare him for Querrey. So long as he plays smart low risk tennis, he should scrape by with a victory. Querrey will try to exploit the slight edge a tired Murray might give him but whether he has the wherewithal to close the deal is another matter entirely. One day his time will come. Not tomorrow I think.

Tennis Free Picks: Murray in straight sets

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