Barclay’s Dubai Tennis Championships: Youzhny and Melzer bid for a spot in the final

Dubai, UAE—That this was not the matchup most expected in the semis of the Barclay’s Dubai Tennis Championships is an understatement of gross proportions. These coveted spots were reserved for notable names such as Andy Murray and Marin Cilic – what would have been a blockbuster billing had it panned out. Alas, it did not. Jurgen Melzer dumped Cilic in the quarters and Tipsarevic trumped Murray in the second round before falling to Youzhny in the quarters.

And that is how the story went – a story, I might add, that features for a third consecutive tournament. Two preceding events, Rotterdam and Marseille, ended with disappointing sub-plot for the favourites this season. Now we have Dubai going down the same road. Djokovic is still in the mix so he might yet salvage a pride for the top echelons of the game. But he has two-matches to play before he can seize the title so I will keep any celebrations in check for the time being and see how things proceed.

So back to the semis at hand: Jurgen Melzer and Mikhail Youzhny have set an appointment in the semis and one lucky player will be in through to the final by tomorrow, to compete for the most prestigious ATP-500-point tourney on the calendar. Which will it be? [Dramatic shiver and the sort...]

Tennis Betting Line: Jurgen Melzer +150 Mikhail Youzhny -200

First Set Line: Jurgen Melzer +135 Mikhail Youzhny -175

Match Time: 05:00 AM Eastern Time Friday February 26, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Mikhail Youzhny is back in the top 20 mix and looking the part. He arrived in Dubai with a 6-2 mark on the season that included a runner-up finish in Rotterdam and a R32 appearance in Melbourne. In last season’s wind down Youzhny broke out with a victory in Moscow and runner-up finishes in Tokyo and Valencia. His good start on the season was an extension of his form towards the end of last year.

For all these parts, Youzhny enters this match as the -200 favourite to win outright and the -175 fave to win the first set. Further recommending Youzhny in the outright market is a 3-2 lifetime edge over Melzer, which includes three consecutive victories over the Austrian since 2006. It should be pointed out that all their matches have come on clay.

That this is their first match on hard courts should necessarily alter Youzhny’s positive trend against Melzer. Youzhny is an all-surface player with a versatile game that he can switch up to suit surface or opponents.

Melzer will aim to snap his negative trend against the Russian and that the Austrian comes into this match in-form makes his chance better than had been off form. Melzer posted a semi-final appearance in Zagreb and a quarterfinal appearance in Rotterdam and he clearly built on that momentum in Dubai.

What this means: tennis bettors looking to buck the trend will find Melzer a reasonable play at +150 to win outright and at +135 to take the first set. Moreover, Melzer is after his first top 10 victory on the season, in beating Cilic. Could be some confidence in that to swing the match in his favour.

Tennis Free Picks: Youzhny in three sets

Delray Beach 2nd Round Winning Picks: Fish and Gulbis

Delray Beach, Florida – Online tennis betting action at BetOnline Sportsbook features Mardy Fish and Ernests Gulbis in the second round at Delray Beach. Mardy Fish is the defending champion and he takes on Germany’s Mischa Zverev for a spot in the quarterfinals. Elsewhere, Gulbis will take on Teimuraz Gabashvili for a spot in the quarters.

Tennis Betting Line:

Mischa Zverev +2 -115 +120 23½ O -125 U -115
Mardy Fish -2 -125 -160 23½ O -125 U -115

First Set Line: Mischa Zverev +110 Mardy Fish -150

Match Time: 07:30 PM Eastern Time Wednesday February 24, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Mischa Zverev is gearing up for a battle against home favourite and defending champion Mardy Fish. Bookies list him as a mere +120 underdog, a price-point that is rather favourable for an underdog as it indicates there is more than an off chance he would mastermind the upset. Zverev hasn’t come up with season numbers to back this notion. He is only 4-5 on the season going into the second round of Delray Beach and weighs in at No.86. To get a sense of the quality of play by Zverev, his career tipping point was a ranking high of No. 45. He is but 22-years-old so better days could be ahead. In fact, Zverev was winless on the season until last week in Marseille when he navigated a course into the semis and lost to eventual champion Michael Llodra. Zverev clearly found form last week and it remains to be seen whether he can string together another similar run, if not better, in Delray Beach. Given all this, he does hold some value on the fixed market.

Mardy Fish enters this matchup as the favourite. The consideration given to him is largely because he is the defending champion and he has home edge. At -160, you can’t call him an untouchable favourite. Moreover, given his penchant to streakiness, he isn’t the sure play either. Adding to the concern is Fish’s form on the season, which is 4-4 going into the second round. Prior to Delray Beach, Fish reached the semis of Sydney and immediately afterwards went winless in back-to-back tournaments. Proof-positive of streaky play.

Tennis Free Picks: Zverev in three sets

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Tennis Betting Line:

Teimuraz Gabashvili +4 -140 +190 22 O -125 U -115
Ernest Gulbis -4 Ev -275 22 O -125 U -115

First Set Line: Teimuraz Gabashvili +150 Ernest Gulbis -200

Match Time: 09:00 PM Eastern Time Wednesday February 24, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Teimuraz Gabashvili owns the 1-0 edge over Ernests Gulbis in ATP play having beaten the Gulbis at Bucharest in 2008, and he has three more wins against his Latvian opposite on the lower circuits from 2004-2007. Yet he has a ranking and form disadvantage coming into this match, which translates to a market disadvantage. Gabashvili, weighing in at No.104 to Gulbis No.72 ranking, was winless prior to Delray Beach, hence the bookies list him as the underdog at +190. Gabashvili recorded his first win on the season by taking out the top seed in Delray Beach, Tommy Haas. We are yet to see whether he will make that upset count.

Gulbis is off to a better start this season than last season. He is 6-4 coming into the second round of Delray and he was a semi-finalist during last week’s Memphis tournament. Gulbis also made it into the quarters of Doha at the start of the term. Gulbis is bidding for his third quarters on the season and everything about him suggests he should seize that spot. Tennis purists believe he is one of the most organically talented players on the Tour. His results don’t lend support though. At -275, bookies have taken a page from the purists. His inconsistency makes him an fair weathered favourite.

Tennis Expert Pick: Gabashvili in three sets

Tennis Betting Tips: David Ferrer and Bellucci headline act in Acapulco

Acapulco, Mexico – Thomaz Bellucci, a young, up-and-coming, Brazilian tennis sensation has a real shot to make a statement when he takes on seasoned veteran David Ferrer at the Abierto Mexicana Telcel today. The pair will collide in the second round to decide the quarterfinal spot between themselves. Ferrer is well-known clay-court aficionado and a real grinder – in short, tough to beat. Bellucci, who picked up the title in Santiago a fortnight ago and beat credible opponents along the way, mind in home favourite, Fernando Gonzalez and clay-court guru Juan Monaco, could really come of age here if he were to derail the No.3 seed Ferrer. Elsewhere, Simon Greul and Eduardo Schwank will battle for a spot in the quarters.

Tennis Betting Line:

Simon Greul +3½ -140 +140 22 O -110 U -130
Eduardo Schwank -3½ Ev -180 22 O -110 U -130

First Set Line: Simon Greul +130 Eduardo Schwank -170

Match Time: 07:30 PM Eastern Time Wednesday February 24, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: This match is a tossup as both Simon Greul and Eduardo Schwank have an equal shot to reach the quarters in Acapulco. Greul is coming off the more impressive win against John Isner but he is the puppy at +140. Eduardo Schwank, who beat wild card Santiago Gonzalez, is the favourite at -180 – largely because he is a natural clay-courter. Fact is little separates these two players on paper. And neither has gotten his season off the ground even.

Tennis Betting Picks: T’is a tossup but if I were playing house money, I would back Greul as he offers the better value. I would take Greul on the first set as well at +130 and Schwank on the spread at – 3 ½ Evens and the Under 22 -130.

Tennis Betting Line:

Thomaz Bellucci +2½ -135 +110 22 O -110 U -130
David Ferrer -2½ -105 -150 22 O -110 U -130

First Set Line: Thomaz Bellucci Ev David Ferrer -140

Match Time: 07:30 PM Eastern Time Wednesday February 24, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: It will be the first-career meeting between David Ferrer and Thomaz Bellucci when they collide in the Abierto Mexicana Telcel second round. David Ferrer is the better known of the two, the older and the more experienced. At 27, Ferrer has enjoyed a successful career in ATP with seven singles titles and a career 301/192 mark, on the back of which he has spent a long stint in the top section of the ATP ladder. Ferrer is the favourite, natch, for all these parts and more. However, he is not an out-of-reach favourite, listed at -150.

At the same time, Bellucci, who only started to enjoy a measure of success last summer when he won his maiden title, and his second career title a fortnight ago, is the mere +110 underdog. Bellucci was singled out some time ago as a player to watch, especially on clay. For this reason, backed up by his second title on the year, he is being given such consideration as a puppy.

Whichever way you slice this match, there is value. Ferrer can draw on his experience to dismiss Bellucci while Bellucci can draw on his youthful enthusiasm and organic talent to upset Ferrer. Either way methinks there is value.

Tennis Betting Picks: For my part, I like Bellucci to take the first set at Evens, and Ferrer to win in three sets at -150. I would also hedge these bets with Ferrer to cover the spread at -2 1/5 -105 and the Over 22 -110.

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WTA Acapulco Tennis Betting Venus Williams bids for quarters

Acapulco, Mexico – Defending champion Venus Williams will bid for a spot in the quarterfinals today against Kaia Kanepi of Estonia. Hoping to join her in the final eight will be Mariya Koryttseva and Agnes Szavay.

Tennis Betting Line:

Renata Voracova +5½ -110 +425 19 O -115 U -125
Agnes Szavay -5½ -130 -800 19 O -115 U -125

First Set Line : Renata Voracova +300 Agnes Szavay -500

Match Time: 07:30 PM Eastern Time Wednesday February 24, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Szavay is the second seed in the tournament and by virtue of her seeding, is one of the short odds on favourites to reach the final. Szavay enters this match as the -800 – pricey if you ask me – but she is the better play. There is little to suggest Voracova, a +425 underdog, has the game to touch Szavay. Szavay should win this match handily as well so taking Szavay on the spread at – 5 ½ -130 and the Under 19 -115.

Tennis Free Picks: Szavay in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line:

Sharon Fichman -125 21½ O -105 U -135
Mariya Koryttseva -115 21½ O -105 U -135

First Set Line : Sharon Fichman -120 Mariya Koryttseva -120

Match Time: 07:30 PM Eastern Time Wednesday February 24, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Mariya Koryttseva punched above her weight class in the first round to take out Angelique Kerber. She will now have to do so again according to the bookies as they favour Sharon Fichman to advance. If you ask me, Koryttseva should be the favourite in this match and not the other way around. Koryttseva has the slight ranking edge on the season and better form. Fichman upset Sorana Cirstea in the first round and methinks the bookies have rewarded her for it but one victory doesn’t mean much in the broader sense. Fichman will have to back it up and methinks she will not.

Tennis Free Picks: Koryttseva in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line:

Venus Williams -5½ -125 -900 18½ O -145 U +105
Kaia Kanepi +5½ -115 +450 18½ O -145 U +105

First Set Line : Venus Williams -500 Kaia Kanepi +300

Match Time: 09:30 PM Eastern Time Wednesday February 24, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Betting against Venus Williams doesn’t happen often and I don’t believe it will happen here. Estonian Kaia Kanepi looms small against Venus Williams. At No.96 in the world Kanepi is an average performer on the tour. She has been around long enough to be considered experienced, for all the good it has done her. She hasn’t broken out of the pack, had a moment of consequence or won anything of note. Venus Williams with 42 career titles, fresh off the most recent addition to her collection, overmatches her. Kanepi will be out of her depth.

Tennis Free Picks: Venus Williams in straight sets

Tennis Betting Tips: Verdasco and Monaco headed for quarterfinal clash

Acapulco, Mexico – Top seed Fernando Verdasco and seventh seed Juan Monaco could set up a scintillating quarterfinal clash today if they survive their second round encounters. Verdasco is set to take on Lukasz Kubot while Monaco will battle Juan Ignacio Chela. Both players are solid favourites to move into the quarters because each has a significant on paper edge over his opposites. Kubot and Chela are not going to be a cakewalk however as they are something of clay aficionados. Verdasco and Monaco; can they punch at their weight class or will the puppy’s rise to the occasion before all is said and done.

Here is a look at these two feature matches at the Abierto Mexicana Telcel Tournament, complete with BetOnline tennis betting odds and lines.

Tennis Betting Line:

Juan Ignacio Chela +4 -135 +190 21½ O -125 U -115
Juan Monaco -4 -105 -275 21½ O -125 U -115

First Set Line: Juan Ignacio Chela +150 Juan Monaco -200

Match Time: 06:00 PM Eastern Time Wednesday February 24, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Juan Monaco enters this all-Argentinean affair as the solid -275 favourite. The price-point is a good vote of confidence and tennis bettors looking to back Monaco can take heart from this vote by the bookies. Further recommending the play on Monaco is a 5-2 lifetime edge over Chela, which includes back-to-back victories as recently as Buenos Aires and Santiago. Monaco is 10-4 on the season, a mark largely made up during the South American clay court swing with a runner-up finish in Santiago and a semi-final finish in Buenos Aires. Monaco also reached the Aussie Open third round, not bad for a player who earns his bread and butter on clay.

Chela has played Monaco twice already and both times he lost, narrowly mind. He could take a page from those losses and learn from his mistakes to avoid striking out. Very possible indeed; therefore, at +190, Chela is a tempting underdog. Still if I were to play with house money, I would bet on Monaco to win. I believe he is a better overall player and the match is on his racquet. I would back Chela on accounting well once again and back him on the handicap at + 4 -135 and on the totals at Over 21 ½ -125.

Tennis Betting Picks: Monaco in three sets

Tennis Betting Line:

Fernando Verdasco -4½ -110 -500 20½ O -135 U -105
Lukasz Kubot +4½ -130 +300 20½ O -135 U -105

First Set Line: Fernando Verdasco -350 Lukasz Kubot +225

Match Time: 06:00 PM Eastern Time Wednesday February 24, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Fernando Verdasco is the top seed in Acapulco and he will be looking to book his spot in the quarters at the expense of a rising Polish star, Lukasz Kubot. Kubot showed his clay court skills when he navigated a course to the Costa do Sauipe final (l. to Ferrero). Kubot is 9-5 on the season and sporting a career-high ranking of No.48. Kubot’s success of late notwithstanding, Kubot is a significant underdog in this match at +300. Arguably, he has a shot but he would have to play lights out tennis against Verdasco if he is to mastermind the upset. I can’t say I see that happening and therefore I believe Verdasco is the better play. The match is on his racquet and he should come through for the betting public. The market favours him at -500 to win outright. That said Kubot could give Verdasco a good run for his money and therefore tennis bettors might like to hedge bets on Kubot to cover the spread at + 4 ½ -130 and on the totals at 20 ½ Over -135.

Tennis Expert Pick: Verdasco in straight sets

ATP Acapulco 2nd Round Marquee match: Ferrero vs. Andreev

Acapulco, Mexico – Inquiring minds want to know whether Igor Andreev has a credible shot to derail Juan Carlos Ferrero in Acapulco. In a word, yes. An answer in the affirmative however doesn’t mean that Andreev will have an easy time of it. The opposite, it will be a tall order for the Russian because Ferrero is hot to trot right now and on top of the world. He is the hottest player right now in the South American clay court swing and one of two players to already have two titles on the season (the other being Marin Cilic). Messing with that sort of confidence can only happen if Andreev plays lights out tennis. He is capable of it, especially on clay, his favourite surface. Whether he will find that zone at precisely the right time when he comes up against Ferrero, who is in a zone of his own, is another matter entirely.

Head-to-head, Ferrero takes the 4-1 lifetime edge into his second round encounter against Igor Andreev, which includes a 2-1 mark on clay lifetime.

The only time Andreev beat Ferrero it was a big victory and worthy a mention even if out-of-date; in the R64 at Roland Garros (2004), Andreev dispatched Ferrero in three sets. The victory was a huge upset because Ferrero had been the Roland Garros defending champion after winning the Grand Slam title in 2003.

Since the disheartening loss though, Ferrero has never lost to Andreev and more significantly, never dropped a set to the Russian.

Tennis Betting Line:
Juan Carlos Ferrero -3 -130 -220 22½ O Ev U -140
Igor Andreev +3 -110 +170 22½ O Ev U -140

First Set Line: Juan Carlos Ferrero -180 Igor Andreev +140

Match Time: 09:30 PM Eastern Time Wednesday February 24, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Ferrero enters this match as the -220 favourite and justifiably so. He is also well priced methinks, his backers will see as decent a profit on their risk as possible when betting on a favourite, expected to win. Ferrero is also well priced to take the first set at -180. Given the history between these two players and Ferrero’s current for (10-2 on the season with two-titles) you have to believe he is the correct play. I am sure the trend will fall in line with his odds. Additional value plays are the handicap at -3 -130.

Andreev is the kind of player most players wouldn’t mind to avoid in the draw. He is always a dangerous floater and you never quite know when he might step up. Something like he did in 2004 when he stepped up in Paris against Ferrero , the reigning champ at the time. Keep in mind, Andreev had Federer on the ropes at the Aussie Open earlier this year before succumbing in four sets. For that reason alone Andreev offers value at +170. Yet his unpredictability negates a strong recommendation. I would pound his odds but sprinkle some his way. Just in case, he does tap into that zone to mastermind the biggest upset of the South American clay-court swing.

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NFL Update – Possible Destination For Tomlinson

LaDainian Tomlinson is no longer a San Diego Charger. In what’s already been a confusing off-season for the San Diego Chargers, they’ve decided to sign Norv Turner to a long-term deal and are instead parting ways with the franchise’s all-time leading rusher, LaDainian Tomlinson. So where is the 30-year old, former MVP headed?

Tomlinson’s career numbers took a steep decline this past year, and his lackluster play caused the team to employ Darren Sproles more often. The 2009 football betting season was Tomlinson’s worst in his career. For the first time in 9 years, he failed to break the 1,000 rushing yard ceiling, ending the year with 730 yards and 12 touchdowns. It was also his lowest year in yards receiving, where he had a career low 20 catches for just 154 yards and failed to score as a receiver for the first time since his rookie season.

We’re used to seeing LaDainian burn defenses every which way possible, but in 2009 Tomlinson lost a tremendous step in speed, power and quickness. He seemed like a shell of himself this season, just three years removed from his record setting, 28 touchdown season in 2006.

The guy’s career has been nothing short of incredible stat wise, but it’s also noteworthy that the Chargers have never won an AFC Championship, let alone appeared in a Super Bowl during Tomlinson’s career. And while football is a team game, Tomlinson has never had a breakout effort in the playoffs to propel his team over the hump. This is still America and we covet winners. If the hall of fame was filled with guys that produced well, then Shaun Alexander would be a first ballot candidate. Sorry, but that’s not a football world I want to live in.

Tomlinson’s injury woes were a big problem for San Diego in the playoffs. In their best playoff run during 2007, the Chargers swept past Tennessee, crept past Indianapolis and then were blown out of the water by New England. Tomlinson had just 3 touches that entire game, gaining six yards.

Even worse, in the 2008 playoff run of San Diego, Tomlinson carried the ball just five times for 25 yards and a single score but was injured against Indianapolis and didn’t appear in the divisional game against the Steelers.

This season, against the surly New York Jets, Tomlinson had a pathetic 12 carries for 24 yards and 3 receptions for no yards. Does this sound like the playoff warrior that you want bolstering your 2010 Super Bowl betting odds?

The timing for Tomlinson’s release had more to do with money than anything else. He was due a $2 million roster bonus in March, so instead of fielding trades for the aging star, the Chargers simply released him. Now the market is open for a 9 year veteran who is just 5-foot-11 and 221 pounds with no speed burst. I remain pessimistic that Tomlinson will be able to give another team a boost, and I’m also unwilling to believe that he’ll accept a role as a third-down back.

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The main issue for LDT is that he’s not a banger. He’s a speed and finesse guy that has lost most of what made him a special player due to age and mileage. He’s not a goal-line guy and he’s hardly the player that can carry an offense anymore. But this is the NFL, and there’s always a desperate buyer out there when it comes to premium names. So who’s buying in?

Atlanta Falcons (9-7 SU, 11-5 ATS in 2009)

The Falcons already have Michael Turner, but they need a reliable third down option since Jerious Norwood is nothing more than glorified return guy. As a young team that desperately needs more veteran leadership in the locker room on offense, Tomlinson could find a home in the Dirty Dirty. Of course, the Falcons will need Tomlinson to prove he can be a more definitive leader like Tony Gonzalez, which is something he has not shown in his entire career.

Buffalo Bills (6-10 SU, 8-7-1 ATS in 2009)

Marshawn Lynch’s days in Buffalo seem to be numbered as he enters yet another offseason mired in legal troubles. Fred Jackson had a breakout year, but Buffalo hit all sorts of road blocks this season. Obviously, the bigger concern for the Bills is at quarterback. Still, with Tomlinson coming cheap and the Bills ranked just 16th in the league in rushing yards per game, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the sinking Bills make an offer. Whether Tomlinson takes it is another story.

New England Patriots (10-6 SU, 8-7-1 ATS in 2009)

The Patriots have long been a safe haven for wayward veterans like Fred Taylor and Cory Dillon and it’s no secret that they need a boost in the backfield. Ranked 12th in the league with 120.1 yards per game, the Patriots need to find some balance and seem more than comfortable using a platoon style backfield around Laurence Maroney than most other teams in need of a running-back. Tomlinson wouldn’t need to be a leader on Brady’s bunch, but it’s insanely improbable that he would sign with New England after being so openly hateful of Belichik and the Patriots during his tenure in San Diego.

New Orleans Saints (Super Bowl XLIV Champions)

The internet is buzzing that Drew Brees is making a case to bring Tomlinson in. Not exactly sure why they would. They already have three capable back in Mike Bell, Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas which provide them perhaps the most dynamic rushing attack in the league that doesn’t involve the one-man brigade of Chris Johnson.

Retirement

In all honesty, Tomlinson’s best days are behind him. He’s not a leader. He’s not a winner and he loves putting himself first because he simply want to prove he can be a game changer. The NFL is either headed towards a lockout and with so many teams leaking money like sinking ships, it seems irresponsible for teams to bring in Tomlinson when the championship caliber Chargers wouldn’t even want him. The 2006 MVP should walk off in to the sunset with his head held high…well, as high as a guy who never won a championship in a brilliant career can.

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BetUS Tennis Free Picks: Delray Beach First round action

Delray Beach, Florida – The Delray Beach event is one for three ATP delights served up on the BetOnline tennis-betting menu this week. Tuesday action features 2008 champion Kei Nishikori, as he opens his bid against Benjamin Becker; wild card Vincent Spadea as he bids for a spot in the second round against Santiago Giraldo; and wild card Sebastien Grosjean as he takes on Daniel Brands.

Here is a look at some of these matchups and more, already trading at BetOnline Sportsbook.

Tennis Betting Line: Paolo Lorenzi +300 Jarkko Nieminen -500

First Set Line: Paolo Lorenzi +225 Jarkko Nieminen -350

Match Time: 11:00 AM Eastern Time Tuesday February 23, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Nieminen’s edge in this match is experience. He has been around the circuit for some time, even enjoying success some years back when he broke into the top 20. As things currently stand in his camp, to say things don’t look hot would be an understatement. He is outside of the top 100 and if his season continues to ride the mediocre wave it started with, his ranking will not improve any time soon. He is 3-5 on the year with a second round appearance the farthest he has gone in a tournament. Having said all that doesn’t the market favour Nieminen at a whopping -500 to win outright and at -350 to win the first set. Win he might but at such prices tennis bettors are not going to clean up. Paolo Lorenzi has little to any experience on the ATP. He is a tempting underdog in price alone at +300 but there is nothing to suggest he would be capable of winning this match (He is 0-6 on the season). Then again Nieminen could be that off his game that an unheralded Lorenzi would capitalize. Not like it ever happened.

Tennis Free Picks: Nieminen in three sets

Tennis Betting Line: Vincent Spadea +200 Santiago Giraldo -300

First Set Line: Vincent Spadea +150 Santiago Giraldo -200

Match Time: 11:00 AM Eastern Time Tuesday February 23, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Veteran Vincent Spadea hopes to give the home crowd something to cheer about when he opens his Delray Beach campaign on Tuesday but methinks the man left standing to take the crowd congratulatory cheers at the end will be Santiago Giraldo. The market agrees, favouring the Colombian at -300 favourite odds. Giraldo is 3-3 on the season, which includes quarters at Chennai and a second round appearance at Melbourne – a result that is good for a previously inexperienced player at this level.

Tennis Free Picks: Giraldo in straight sets

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Tennis Betting Line: Benjamin Becker -375 Kei Nishikori +235

First Set Line: Benjamin Becker -250 Kei Nishikori +185

Match Time: 11:00 AM Eastern Time Tuesday February 23, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Benjamin Becker enters this match as the favourite in the market across the board. Hardly surprising when Benjamin with a No.40 ranking has a massive edge over Nishikori, ranked at No.898. Those of you in the know will remember Nishikori emerged as a qualifier in 2008 to win the title, upsetting home favourite James Blake in a three-set marathon. Nishikori is a talented player and only 20 years-old. For all these parts he shouldn’t be underestimated. Given current circumstances, Becker is the better play but I wouldn’t be surprised if Nishikori upset Becker.

Tennis Free Picks: Nishikori in three sets

Tennis Betting Line: Sebastien Grosjean -155 Daniel Brands +115

First Set Line: Sebastien Grosjean -145 Daniel Brands +105

Match Time: 11:00 AM Eastern Time Tuesday February 23, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Sebastien Grosjean and Daniel Brands collide for the first time at an ATP level event. Grosjean sees little action these days, semi-retired he is; nevertheless he has seen action in three events already this season and totted up a 1-2 tally. Meanwhile Brands doesn’t see much action at this level because he rarely ranks high enough more significantly, he won’t see much action of he continues on his losing streak, which currently sits at 0-4. In spite of Grosjean’s questionable form and low ranking (outside of the top 500) I would still be on him to win. He has experience and he once ranked as high as world No.4. Counts for something.

Tennis Free Picks: Grosjean in straight sets

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Tennis Betting Picks: Americans Blake and Fish begin Delray Beach campaign

Delray Beach, Florida – Americans James Blake and Mardy Fish will hope to give the crowd something to cheer about when they begin their Delray Beach campaigns. James Blake will have a tougher path to the second round however as he takes on another American, Taylor Dent. Appropriately, the all-American affair is the marquee billing of the day, scheduled for prime time. Meanwhile, Mardy Fish is gearing up to go head-to-head with Belgium’s Christophe Rochus earlier in the day.

Tennis Betting Line:

Christophe Rochus +4 -130 +300 21 O -125 U -115
Mardy Fish -4 -110 -500 21 O -125 U -115

First Set Line: Christophe Rochus +225 Mardy Fish -350

Match Time: 05:30 PM Eastern Time Tuesday February 23, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Mardy Fish has yet to strike an audible note on the 2010 season. The American is in the negative ahead of his first round clash against Christophe Rochus, 3-4 on the season, a mark that includes back-to-back first round exits at the Aussie Open and Memphis. Fish was ousted by world No. 128 Andrey Golubev in Melbourne and by No.73 Leonardo Mayer in Memphis. Fish, a former top-20 player (2004) and ranked as high as world No.20 last year, seems to have lost the plot. He was always streaky and inconsistent but right now, to put it bluntly, he is slumping. Coming in at No.73, Fish needs a good start in Delray Beach to get his season going.

Fortunately, for him, Rochus is completely off his game with a 0-3 mark on the season and a ranking outside of the top 100. Fish really should win this match. But where he is concerned, nothing is a sure thing. At 500 to win outright, the market is rather generous in pricing Fish. But it is the way to go as Rochus isn’t a viable alternative seeing as he has yet to win a match on the season.

Tennis Free Picks: Fish in straight sets

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Tennis Betting Line:

James Blake -3½ -115 -300 22½ O -125 U -115
Taylor Dent +3½ -125 +200 22½ O -125 U -115

First Set Line: James Blake -225 Taylor Dent +175

Match Time: 09:00 PM Eastern Time Tuesday February 23, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: James Blake and Taylor Dent have the misfortune of colliding in the first round of Delray Beach. It is never easy starting a campaign against a compatriot and friend. It is the way of things in competition however and these two will have to set aside any warm fuzzy feelings towards each other if they hope to advance into the second round.

Blake enters this match as the market favourite listed at -300 while Dent comes in at a price of +200. Although the market is clear which way it leans, this match is not going to be straightforward. Neither Blake nor Dent has gotten his season off the ground yet. Blake is a lowly 3-4 while Dent is a mere 2-5. Both are on back-to-back losing streaks and most likely a bit low on confidence as well.

What this says is that this match could see several momentum shifts with no clear indication of which player will win. Blake owns a 3-1 head-to-head edge over Dent but as the mark is completely out-of-date (the last time they clashed was in 2004), it should have no bearing on this match. Having said that, if I were to play with house money, Blake would be the pick.

Tennis Free Picks: Blake in three sets

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WTA Acapulco Tennis Betting: Venus Williams begins title defense campaign

Acapulco, Mexico – All eyes will be on Venus Williams in Acapulco as she begins her title defence campaign. That she is after winning the title in Dubai adds shine to her stock value in the market, making her the odds-on-favourite by a country mile to win a second consecutive Abierto Mexicana crown.

Venus Williams is set to begin her campaign against Mathilde Johansson. The market is completely one-sided on their matchup, as it should be, and Venus Williams’ backers will be reassured she is the sure bet. Neutrals might fancy Mathilde Johansson though as she is not completely without a shot in theory: Venus has had a long flight to Acapulco from Dubai and might be a tad jet lagged, which could affect her performance. Elsewhere, Mariya Koryttseva and Angelique Kerber will battle for a spot in the second round.

Here is a look at these two interesting clashes at the WTA Abierto Mexicana, kitted with BetOnline tennis betting odds and lines.

Tennis Betting Line:

Mariya Koryttseva +3 -110 +145 20½ O -110 U -130
Angelique Kerber -3 -130 -190 20½ O -110 U -130

First Set Line : Mariya Koryttseva +135 Angeligue Kerber -175

Match Time:05:30 PM Eastern Time Tuesday February 23, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: This match is going to be a close in my opinion. Angelique Kerber enters this match as the -190 favourite and understandably so. She has the ranking edge over Ukrainian Mariya Koryttseva as well as the form edge. Kerber is 9-2 on the season, which includes a third round appearance at the Aussie Open and a runner-up finish in Bogota last week. Kerber comes into this tournament with obvious momentum, making her the good play.

Koryttseva has one thing going for her, a 1-0 edge over Kerber having beaten her German opposite in 2007 at the Futures. Because Koryttseva has been slow to get her season off the ground and her form is questionable she is considered the underdog. But at mere +145 she is definitely capable of upsetting Kerber. Might be worth the small bet. Cooler heads will turn to Koryttseva on the handicap at +3 -110 and the Over 21 ½ -110.

Tennis Free Picks: Kerber in three sets

Tennis Betting Line:

Venus Williams -7 -105 -2500 17½ O -135 U -105
Mathilde Johansson +7 -135 +900 17½ O -135 U -105

First Set Line: Venus Williams -1400 Mathilde Johansson +650

Match Time:07:00 PM Eastern Time Tuesday February 23, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Venus Williams takes a stellar 9-1 mark into her opening round match at Acapulco, adorned by a title in Dubai. Her only loss this season came to Li Na at the Aussie Open quarters. Venus Williams will be looking to extend her solid form in Acapulco. Bookies are confident she will and tip her a massive favourite at -2500. Tennis betting fans looking to back Venus will not make a lot of money on those fixed odds I am afraid. Better value is offered on the handicap and totals, which is leaning towards a commanding performance or a blow out if you will. The choice bets are -7 -105 and Under 17 ½ -105.

Having said that the tempting play is Mathilde Johansson at +900, which might be worth the think. Not because Johansson is that great a player (at No.174 and 3-4 marks on the season she clearly isn’t) but because Williams might not be in the best form after a long haul flight. Keep in mind this is still a long shot bet.

Tennis Free Picks: Venus Williams in straight sets

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