posted June 2, 2008 at 19:01 in Tennis Betting Trends

Paris, France – The online tennis betting community has the French Open quarterfinal round to look forward to in the tennis betting market at BetUS Sportsbook. As the tournament takes one-step closer toward the final movement on Sunday, World No.3 Novak Djokovic, who is enjoying a sensational season, once again features in the final eight of a major tournament. With the community speculating whether the Serbian star will win his second Grand Slam here in Paris, here is a look at his upcoming sports betting matchup against surprise quarterfinalist Ernests Gulbis of Latvia.

Tennis Betting Line:

Ernests Gulbis +650 Novak Djokovic -1400

Ernest Gulbis 1st Set +500 Novak Djokovic 1st Set -1000

Match Time: 05:00 AM Eastern Time Tuesday June 3, 2008

Head-to-Head Analysis: This is the first-ever career meeting between Ernests Gulbis and Novak Djokovic at an ATP level event.

Novak Djokovic (-1400) Few tennis bettors would bet against Novak Djokovic at this stage of the tournament. Winner of thee 2008 Australian Open, AMS Indian Wells and AMS Rome, Djokovic is one of the hottest players on the tour this season. His intention to gatecrash the top two – Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal – is no secret, so what better opportunity to shake up the established order than on a big stage like a Grand Slam.

Ernests Gulbis (+650) For fans of the Latvian tennis star who have been waiting for this big talent to break through, his appearance in the final eight at the French Open is perhaps a sign he is finally living up to the hype that has surrounded him for some time now. Last year at the US Open, Ernest Gulbis featured in the R16. This year he has gone one better. Seemingly saving his best for the Grand Slams, does Gulbis have what it takes to orchestrate the upset?

Betting Verdict: I would venture to claim Ernests Gulbis has the game to beat Djokovic, but whether he can remain focused enough tomorrow to accomplish the feat is another thing entirely. The occasion – reaching the quarterfinal is a huge achievement for the Latvian His reward is to play one of the best players on the circuit. Gulbis has the tools, arsenal and game, but the wherewithal, mentally, remains to be seen whether he has. To reach the final eight, he topped Simon Gruel, James Blake, Nicolas Lapenti and Michael Llodra. With one top ten scalp en route to the final eight already, beating World No.3 Novak Djokovic would be the ultimate scalp.

Tennis Prediction: The majority of the tennis betting market will bet on Djokovic to win this match. Indeed, that would be the better play – if not the sure play. While I like Gulbis and believe he has the game to beat Djokovic, his Cinderella run has every chance of continuing to the semi-final, Djokovic is on a mission to claim the scale the pinnacle of the ATP rankings – continuing his campaign in Paris will go a long way to improving his odds at the end of the year to seize the top spot.

Tennis Free Pick: Djokovic in four sets @ -1400 | Gulbis to win the first set @ +500

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

BetUS Sportsbook is taking action on the French Open with the men’s French Open Futures. Check out the futures odds and start betting on the second Grand Slam of the year now!