posted February 14, 2007 at 18:11 EST in Tennis Free Picks

Bangalore, India, February 12-18, 2007,

Tier III

Prize Money: $175,000

Surface: Hardcourt/Outdoors

Delayed due to a statewide strike, the Sony Ericsson International in Bangalore has finally commenced. With Serena Williams withdrawing from this event, the playing field opens up for the returning 2006 defending champion, Mara Santangelo, as well as Sania Mirza and Alicia Molik, to name a few.

So without further delay, let us look at some of the odds that are shaping up with BetUS.com:

 

Martina Sucha +235 Sania Mirza -375

Prediction: No. 46 Sania Mirza a regular at this event, should have no problems against No. 94 Martina Sucha. Both of them are coming to Bangalore from the Pattaya Open in Thailand, where Mirza had a much better run than Sucha. However, Mirza did have some troubles, particularly towards the end of her Pattaya Open campaign, with first serve errors and double faults that lead to her semifinals loss against Gisela Dulko. Mirza will have to work on that part of her game if she wishes to advance further in this tournament; however, at this stage, the favorite should find no contest.

Pick: Mirza in straight sets.

Result: Mirza battles through in three sets – 6-4, 4-6, 6-3

Mara Santangelo -800 Shengnan Sun +425

Prediction: Mara Santangelo, the defending champion, is heavily favored. According to predictions she should advance past No. 251 Shengnan Sun.

Pick: Santangelo in straight sets.

Result: Santangelo won 6-2, 7-6(4)

Alicia Molik -300 Alberta Brianti +200

Prediction: Australia’s most promising young talent, Alicia Molik should send Brianti home without breaking into too much of a sweat.

Pick: Molik in straight sets

Result: Molik advances in 6-4,6-3

 

Yung-Jan Chan -200 Melinda Czink +125

Prediction: The favorite is Yung Jan Chan ranked 79th and by all accounts is expected to advance. However her year to date win/loss record is a mere 0-2 while No. 107 Melinda Czink holds an 8-4 win/loss record thus far in 2007. Czink has been playing well and perhaps she is en route to upsetting the favorite. I’ll go out on a limb here and say that she will in fact advance.

Pick: Czink in three sets.

Result: Czink defeated Chan in three sets – 1-6, 7-5, 6-2.

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