posted April 24, 2008 at 17:50 in Tennis Free Picks

Monte Carlo, Monaco – The final quarterfinal matchup at the ATP Masters Series Monte Carlo, between Novak Djokovic and Sam Querrey, offers very little mystery for the online tennis betting community, as the bookmakers are unanimous in their favouritism. Tennis betting opens on Djokovic at -2000 on the money line, while Querrey weighs in as the heavy underdog at +800. With the odds so one-sided, the betting market trend on this match up would appear to be straightforward.

Tennis Betting Line: Novak Djokovic -2000 608 Sam Querrey +800

Match Time: 04:00 AM Eastern Time, Friday April 25, 2008

Tennis Prediction: World No.3 Novak Djokovic is the tennis betting world’s new darling. He is golden and can do no wrong it would seem. After a breakthrough year in 2007, Djokovic kicked of his 2008 season with enviable success. He scooped up the first Grand Slam title with the Australian Open and lifted the ATP Masters Series Indian Wells title. Aside from his hiccup in Miami – lost to qualifier Kevin Anderson, something that most would relegate as a minor detail – Djokovic is bettors pick almost in every match and tournament he contests.

Djokovic – 2000 At a whopping price tag of -2000, there is little one can say to assuage a bettor from betting on Djokovic. After all, he is the bookies pick for the win, and they should know how to price the line, No?

Querrey +800 The real question in this matchup is whether there is value in betting on the underdog. In terms of underdogs, how does Querrey stack up. Does he have the calibre of game and mental fortitude required in a player to upset an elitist like Djokovic? As much as long shot pushers will be tempted to risk money on his odds, for the payout would be well worth the risk, the writing is on the line – so to speak. He has a very slim chance.

Betting Verdict: If there record were an indication, then a bettor finds added recommendation for the favourite. In 2008, Djokovic beat Querrey in the R32 en route to the Australian Open title, with a 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 score. It was not much of a contest. Only three months have passed since their sole career encounter that I do not believe Querrey has improved his game to the level required to come away with the victory tomorrow.

Although Querrey arrives in the final eight with one upset in the tournament to his name, a R16 victory over seventh seed Richard Gasquet, the Frenchman is pegged as somewhat of a flake – a lover and not a fighter on court (Nadal, Ferrer and Djokovic are examples of the latter) – that his triumph should be taken in context. Querrey is an up-and-comer, his appearance in the final eight in Monte Carlo attests to that fact, but now it is not his time for the taking. It is Djokovic’s time to assert himself on the circuit.

Tennis Free Picks: Djokovic in straight sets

So there you have it, a nice short break down for you of some of the exciting tennis betting options available at BetUS Sportsbook. Now that you are all read up, you are ready to start betting on tennis!

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