posted February 8, 2007 at 16:37 EST in Tennis Free Picks

The 2007 Open Gaz de France, a Tier II event with a prize purse totaling $600,000, attracts some of the top stars in women’s tennis. The most notable is World No.2 Justine Henin, who arrives at the Open Gaz de France seeded No. 1. Seeded No. 2 is last year’s Open Gaz De France defending champion, Amelie Mauresmo. Svetlana Kuznetsova takes the third seed followed by, Nadia Petrova, Nicole Vaidisova, Patty Schnyder, Dinara Safina and Anna Chakvetadze, respectively.

The top half of the second round wrapped up today with Henin, Kuznetsova and seventh-seed Safina advancing to the Quarterfinals of this indoor hardcourt event. Still to play out is the bottom half of this tournament, so let us look at these head-to-head matchups and the odds that are already in full swing with BetUS.com.

Lucie Safarova +325 Nicole Vaidisova -550

Prediction: Nicole Vaidisova is clearly favored against her fellow countrywoman Lucie Safarova, holding a head-to-head record of 3-1. Most recently, she defeated Safarova in the 2007 Australian Open quarterfinals to reach her first ever Grand Slam semifinal. Despite going on to lose the match to the eventual champion Serena Williams, the young and talented Vaidisova emerged as one of tennis’s most promising future talents. With her big serve and all court game, Vaidisova should win this match.

On the other hand, Lucie Safarova orchestrated Amelie Mauresmo’s unceremonious departure from the very same tournament in the fourth round and leaped from a WTA world ranking of 70 to 32!

Can Safarova, then, be dismissed so easily? Her favorite surface is clay, which she aptly demonstrated at the Australian Open. Her win was no fluke and she has the look of a top player about her. Underestimating her would be a serious mistake.

Therefore, while Vaidisova should win this matchup, there is value for the bettor in Lucie Safarova. Clearly, she is capable of an upset and, should she orchestrate another one, you’d more than triple your money!

 

Results: Safarova did pull off the upset victory, winning in two sets.

Anna Chakvetadze -650 Anabel Medina Garrigues +375

Prediction: Anabel Garrigues, whose highest career rank in the WTA tour was No. 23 in 2006, currently sits at No. 33 in the ranks. Anna Chakvetadze, seeded 8th in this tournament and ranked 13th in the world, is favored in this matchup. Coming off of a good performance at the Australian Open, Chakvetadze is unlikely to falter against Garrigues. Look for a quick two-set match.

Results: After losing the first set, Chakvetadze won the next two to move on.

Tatiana Golovin -900 Ekaterina Bychkova +450

Prediction: Tatiana Golovin, ranked 19th in the world, should have no problem dispatching Ekaterina Bychkova, ranked 100th in the world. Golovin is coming off of her best season to date, highlighted by her first Grand Slam QF appearance, third Tour singles final and four Top 10 wins, to mention just a few. At the US Open quarterfinals, she managed to defeat No. 5 Nadia Petrova, before losing to eventual champion Sharapova in the semifinals. Her 2007 season got off to a relatively good start with her appearance at the second round of the Sydney Final (lost to Amelie Mauresmo) and the third round of the Australian Open, where she lost to Shahar Pe’er. Look for a quick, two-set match with Golovin advancing to the Quarterfinals for a match against Henin.

 

Result: Golovin advanced in two sets.

Amelie Mauresmo -900 Nathalie Dechy +450

Prediction: Amelie Mauresmo cannot be happy with her Australian Open performance. Look for her to redeem herself in straight, easy sets against Nathalie Dechy.

Results: Mauresmo redeemed herself in straight, easy sets against Nathalie Dechy.

Martina Muller +500 Nadia Petrova -1000

Prediction: While Nadia Petrova is favored on this line, she is always a risky bet. With Nadia Petrova, it’s never a question of her winning a match as much as her losing the match. One never knows with this temperamental Russian who has a tendency to crumble in a match, only to defeat herself. At -1000, it almost seems preposterous to risk a $1000 on her to win a $100. If there were any value to be had on this line, it would be with Martina Muller. For, should a self-defeating Nadia Petrova appear at court tomorrow, a bet on Muller will earn you five times your cash!

Results: Petrova won this match handily.

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

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