posted July 10, 2008 at 18:36 in Tennis Free Picks

Stuttgart, Germany – Quarterfinal tennis odds for the Mercedes Cup are currently on offer at BetUS Sportsbook. Headlining the final eight in Stuttgart is second seed Richard Gasquet. Also still alive in the tournament are fourth seed Philipp Kohlschreiber, sixth seed Agustin Calleri and eighth seed Eduardo Schwank. But with four unseeded players also in the final eight, the online tennis betting community at BetUS Sportsbook has the thrilling prospect of speculating on some valuable underdogs to emerge as semi-finalists. Here is a breakdown of the tennis wagering lines that sports bettors can wager on at BetUS Sportsbook.

Tennis Betting Line: Albert Montanes +185 Richard Gasquet -250

Match Time: 05:00 AM Eastern Time, Friday July 11, 2008

Tennis Analysis: Richard Gasquet had a whitewash clay-court season during the spring. Entering two events – the ATP Masters Series in Monte Carlo and Rome – Gasquet walked away with a 1-2 mark. His confidence at an all-time low point he chose to withdraw from the French Open this year. After enjoying a much-better grass court spell that saw him hoard a 6-3 mark, he decided to carve out a small bit of glory on the red-dirt for the year, as in between the grass-court and hard-court seasons the tour returns to clay for a brief stint. With none of the big names in attendance at the Mercedes Cup, namely two-time defending champion Rafael Nadal, as the highest seed still in action, the title is his for the taking. Or more aptly put – at least where Gasquet is concerned – his for the losing.

Gasquet is most recently known for letting the R16 match at Wimbledon slip through his fingers, when he allowed Andy Murray to comeback from two sets down and facing match point, to run away with it in five sets. The match goes down as one of the worst unravelling performances of the entire Wimbledon championships this year! Gasquet is not known for his grit or fighting spirit. This does not bode well for him, nor does it for bettors betting on him.

Albert Montanes is a journeyman player. Ranking in the top 100, Montanes belongs to the group of player that have a brief premier during the clay-court swing on the tour before disappearing in to the shadows. He could be a problem for Gasquet. At the ATP Masters Series in Hamburg, he reached the quarterfinal. In Barcelona, he also reached the final eight. On the challenger circuit – albeit a lesser calibre of challengers competed – he won the title in Monza, Italy.

Tennis Betting Verdict: This will be a good contest in the quarterfinals. Montanes is a clay-court specialist – although not of the quality of a Nadal he can still be a threat to Gasquet. And frankly, Gasquet is not an aficionado on the dirt. His opening challenge came from a qualifier in Lukas Rosol. This will be his first test of the tournament. I cannot help but feel he will fail, as he has been wont to throughout the year.

Tennis Free Picks: Montanes in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: Agustin Calleri -300 Michael Berrer +200

Match Time: 05:00 AM Eastern Time, Friday July 11, 2008

Tennis Analysis: This is the first-ever meeting between No. 104 Michael Berrer and No.52 Agustin Calleri. Berrer is a journeyman player who spends divides his time between the lower and main circuit. Although he ranks well below the Argentine, he is playing in his home event so he will enjoy home court edge. Calleri is a clay-courter and has enjoyed some good results this year. His best came in the Latin American clay court swing, where he reached back-to-back quarterfinals in Acapulco and Buenos Aires. He also reached the semis in Casablanca, Morroco in the spring clay-court swing. Calleri warmed up for this event by winning the challenger event in Prostejov.

Tennis Betting Verdict: I like Calleri’s chances in spite of Berrer’s home court edge. Berrer is not known for stringing together a series of match wins and although he reached the quarters by defeating Nicolas Almagro I do not think he can replicate the performance a second time around.

Tennis Free Picks: Calleri in three sets

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