ATP Indian Wells Tennis Betting: Nalbandian in first round action

Indian Wells, California – David Nalbandian, Marcos Daniel and Haracio Zeballos highlight mid-afternoon action at Indian Wells when they open their bids. Nalbandian goes head-to-head against Stefan Koubek, Marcos Daniel takes on Thiemo De Bakker and Horacio Zeballos battles Ricardo Mello. Here is a look at the BetOnline tennis betting market currently on offer.

Tennis Betting Line:

Stefan Koubek +3½ Ev +200 21½ O -125 U -115
David Nalbandian -3½ -140 -300 21½ O -125 U -115

First Set Line: Stefan Koubek +150 David Nalbandian -200

Match Time 05:30 PM Eastern Time Friday March 12, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Nalbandian returns to match play at Indian Wells after competing in only one tournament this season. Nalbandian staged his comeback at Buenos Aires where he reached the quarterfinals before withdrawing from the commitment. He also competed in Davis Cup action against last week winning his rubber against Andreas Vinciguerra 7-5, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4. Technically, Nalbandian has yet to lose a match in his comeback. He comes in with a perfect record of 3-0 and takes a 2-0 lifetime edge over Koubek into their first round encounter. As such, he is the favourite at -140 to win outright and most would have him the correct play. Koubek always makes things interesting. Or rather, he tries to. Koubek at +3 ½ Evens is a value pick as is the over 21 ½ -125.

Tennis Betting Line:

Thiemo De Bakker -3½ -125 -275 21½ O -125 U -115
Marcos Daniel +3½ -115 +190 21½ O -125 U -115

First Set Line: Thiemo De Bakker -200 Marcos Daniel +150

Match Time 05:30 PM Eastern Time Friday March 12, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Brazilian Marcos Daniel enters this match as the underdog at +190 while Thiemo De Bakker is listed as the favourite at -275. I can see why the market is cast so. De Bakker has a slight ranking edge over Daniel, as well, he is having a better season to date (only compared to Daniel that is). Having said that Daniel is a veteran and has experience, something De Bakker lacks. This is a big stage and I am not so certain De Bakker will rise to the occasion. Daniel in my opinion is the better play at +190. I would also recommend the over 21 ½ -125 on the totals.

Tennis Betting Line:

Ricardo Mello -2½ -105 -155 22½ O -120 U -120
Horacio Zeballos +2½ -135 +115 22½ O -120 U -120

First Set Line: Ricardo Mello -145 Horacio Zeballos +105

Match Time 06:30 PM Eastern Time Friday March 12, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: This match is wide open and up for grabs. Ricardo Mello enters this match on a ranking disadvantage but as the favourite at -155. He has the better form of the two hence his favourite odds. Mello is 4-3 ahead of his opening round encounter meanwhile, Zeballos is 2-6 on the season. That Zeballos is off form doesn’t mean he will not find form here. On paper, his ranking edge suggests he is the better player. The bookies do not discredit him entirely, listing him at mere +115 underdog odds. Zeballos should win this match in my opinion and I think he is after all the better play.

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ATP Tennis Betting: Ernests Gulbis and more in Indian Wells

Indian Wells, California – The men get their turn on Thursday to open the Indian Wells Masters Series tournament and it is with undisguised excitement that we are only a few hours away from that moment. I mean, finally, we get to see another instalment that features the best in the game – from Roger Federer to Rafael Nadal and more. Tennis betting cannot get more exciting than when these two players are in the draw. OF course, we will get to see them in the second round as they each get a bye. So until then, let us look at the first round itinerants, looking to reach the second round and a chance to hobnob with some of the best in their sport. And if they should be so lucky, go on to one up them.

Tennis Betting Line : Arnaud Clement -155 Peter Luczak +115

Match Time: 02:00 PM Eastern Time Thursday March 11, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: The battle of the 30-year-olds in the tournament might not hold a whole lot of appeal for some tennis bettors but there are still angles for profit to be had. Arnaud Clement is the favourite, modestly so at -155. I agree with the market take on this match and I think the price tag is just right, offering a decent payout. Tennis bettors should consider backing Clement here.

Tennis Free Picks: Clement in three sets

Tennis Betting Line: Christophe Rochus +185 Philipp Petzschner -250

Match Time: 02:00 PM Eastern Time Thursday March 11, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: The battle between Christophe Rochus and Philipp Petzschner is one of several battles between lightweights in the first round. Christophe Rochus is the underdog and with his form completely absent (0-5 on the season), I can understand why. Petzschner on the other hand is in the positive, but just so at 6-5. He is the better player of the two though so he really should hold his weight in the market. While I will go with Petzschner I have to point out Rochus would not be a bad play. In fact, they met as recently as Zagreb earlier this year where Rochus took it to Petzschner but still lost 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-1. He might reverse that result, which is very reasonable to think so even if he isn’t in perfect form ahead of this tournament.

Tennis Free Picks: Petzschner in three sets

Tennis Betting Line: Marco Chiudinelli +185 Ernest Gulbis -250

Match Time: 02:00 PM Eastern Time Thursday March 11, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Gulbis finally won his maiden title a few weeks ago at Delray Beach. Whoopee. Before tennis bettors get ahead of themselves, convinced that by virtue of one title victory he has somehow come of age, I would like to inject a bit of reality. As good as the result was, and I don’t mean to take it away from him, it was but one successful week in a tournament boasting a seriously watered down field. Proceed with caution where Gulbis is concerned.

Having said that, I cannot not say Gulbis is in prime position to take this match and advance into the second round. Yet I have a niggling doubt where he is concerned. I guess too many times a disappointment never a convincing play. In short, I won’t be surprised if Chiudinelli beats him.

Tennis Free Picks: Chiudinelli in three sets

ATP Indian Wells First Round Quick Picks

Indian Wells, California – The men’s Indian Wells Masters gets underway on Thursday and the market is already hopping with a whole slew of odds and lines on all the matchups scheduled. So let us get started handicapping some of those matchups.

Tennis Betting Line: Alejandro Falla +115 Florent Serra -155

First Set Line: Alejandro Falla +105 Florent Serra -145

Match Time: 02:00 PM Eastern Time Thursday March 11, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Alejandro Falla of Colombia and Florent Serra collide for the second time in their careers when they meet in the first round of the ATP Masters Indian Wells. Falla has the 1-0 edge after beating Serra in 2008 at Washington 7-6(2), 7-6(11). Falla enters this match with a 3-2 mark on the season.

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Yet in spite of all this, he is the underdog in the match, listed at +115. Serra is 4-6 on the season by contrast and the favourite listed at -155. Is it just me thinking this betting line, although tight, is lopsided.

Tennis Free Picks: Falla in three sets

Tennis Betting Line: Guillermo Garcia Lopez +135 Lukas Lacko -175

First Set Line: Guillermo Garcia Lopez +125 Lukas Lacko -165

Match Time: 02:00 PM Eastern Time Thursday March 11, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Slovak Lukas Lacko has had impressive moments in tournament play this season, namely reaching three quarterfinals in Memphis, Zagreb and Chennai, which includes victories over higher ranked, credible opposition such as Ivan Ljubicic and Jeremy Chardy and .

Lacko takes an 8-6 mark into his first round encounter against Guillermo Garcia –Lopez and the bookies vote of confidence as the favourite, carrying a price of -175. An overwhelming vote of confidence it is not but it is enough to make him the correct play. He is also the better play because Guillermo Garcia Lopez is completely off form this season, still searching for his first win.

Of course, Lopez might break duck – he simply can’t go the whole year without a match win. The question is when he will record his first win. The bookies certainly price him favourably as the mere underdog at +135 to do so here. But Lacko is hot right now and I would recommend backing the confident player over the not so confident.

Tennis Free Picks: Lacko in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: Olivier Rochus -160 Fabio Fognini +120

First Set Line: Olivier Rochus -150 Fabio Fognini +110

Match Time: 02:00 PM Eastern Time Thursday March 11, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Fabio Fognini owns the 1-0 lifetime edge over Christophe Rochus but this is his first-ever clash against his younger brother, Olivier Rochus. The market has sided with Rochus, offering him at -160 to win outright and taken the opposite stance on Fognini, offering +120 odds. There really isn’t any rhyme or reason for this stance in my opinion.

At least not that I can figure out. Both players are ranked within a few spots, Fognini at No.55 and Rochus at No.59. Both have had slow starts to the season: Fognini is 3-6 while Rochus is 3-7.

I suppose the only reason why Rochus is favoured over Fognini is surface edge. Fognini does better on clay. Having said that, I think he, Fognini, has a real shot to win this match. I don’t expect it will be easy, more a slugfest.

Tennis Free Picks: Fognini in three sets

Chardy, Ram and Cuevas in first round action at Indian Wells

Indian Wells, California – Jeremy Chardy, Rajeev Ram and Pablo Cuevas feature in early Thursday action at the Indian Wells Masters when the tournament officially gets underway on the men’s side. BetOnline is offering some interesting odds on their matchups so let us look at how they might be trading.

Tennis Betting Line: Potito Starace +185 Jeremy Chardy -250
First Set Line: Potito Starace +145 Jeremy Chardy -190

Match Time: 02:00 PM Eastern Time Thursday March 11, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Jeremy Chardy should be doing better than he is right now. He is an underwhelming 3-6 on the season and if he doesn’t pick up pace soon he will start to slip in the rankings. Not sure, what is ailing the Frenchman but he hasn’t impressed thus far.

The bookies don’t seem all to fussed with his sub-par performance though listing him as the favourite over Potito Starace. A 1-0 edge over Starace might have something to do with it as well as the fact that Starace has had his fair share of woes to date; he is only 4-7 on the season.

Now, I do agree with Chardy as the favourite but I am not tickled by his -250 price tag – think it is a tad steep considering he has flopped so far. Nevertheless, he has no excuse not to win this match. Put against Starace he is a much better overall player.

Tennis Free Picks: Chardy in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: Pablo Cuevas -180 Frederico Gil +140
First Set Line: Pablo Cuevas -170 Frederico Gil +130

Match Time: 02:00 PM Eastern Time Thursday March 11, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Pablo Cuevas comes into this match as the favourite, carrying a price tag of -180 to win outright and a -170 price to take the first set. Cuevas is 6-6 on the season with a ranking of No. 47, two spots down from a career high ranking of No.45. Cuevas is after a quarterfinal appearance in Acapulco, where he lost to eventual champion David Ferrer. Granted he is better on clay than on hard courts but his recent encouraging performance should set him up rather well, and with confidence, for his first round clash against Frederico Gil, incidentally, another clay courter. Gil is 3-6 on the season and the underdog at +140.

Tennis Free Picks: Cuevas in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: Rajeev Ram -150 Daniel Koellerer +110
First Set Line: Rajeev Ram -140 Daniel Koellerer Ev

Match Time: 02:00 PM Eastern Time Thursday March 11, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Rajeev Ram is better known for his doubles play rather than singles play but he has been more active of late on the singles Tour, most notably winning a title even last year. Ram enters this match as the favourite, listed at -150. He has been slow to get going though; he is only 2-6 ahead of his first round encounter against Daniel Koellerer of Austria.

Ram will be the home favourite though, something, that should come in handy against Daniel Koellerer . Then again, Koellerer is a rather unpopular with crowds all around the world, being a bit of a temperamental personality on court. He knows how to turn crowds against him and root for his opponents. This could be a tough match for Ram to win but win he should.

Tennis Free Picks: Ram in three sets

ATP Indian Wells Masters last minute First Round Picks

Indian Wells, California – Here is a quick rundown of some of the afternoon tennis betting action currently available at BetOnline Sportsbook.

Tennis Betting Line :

Leonardo Mayer -3½ -105 -275 21½ O -120 U -120
Brian Dabul +3½ -135 +190 21½ O -120 U -120

First Set Line: Leonardo Mayer -180 Brian Dabul +140

Match Time: 05:30 PM Eastern Time Thursday March 11, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Leonardo Mayer has the significant edge in this all-Argentine affair in my opinion. His ranks considerably higher than his compatriot and he is into a positive season 7-6 on the term. Moreover, Mayer is rather good on hard courts. Dabul ranks outside of the top 100, at No. 175 and he is making his first appearance at an ATP event this year. Beating Mayer would be a coup for Dabul, indeed; however, what are his realistic chances of doing so.

The bookies tip Mayer at -275 and in my book that is a good play. Mayer to take the first set at -180 is also a good bet. When compatriots collide matches can turn into royal slugfests. That is why I think Dabul might want to make a statement on national lines and try to force this match into three sets. Therefore, the Over 21 ½ -120 appeals to me as well as Dabul on the spread at 3 ½ -135.

Tennis Free Picks:

Tennis Betting Line:

Bjorn Phau +2½ -120 +130 22½ O -115 U -125
Kevin Anderson -2½ -120 -170 22½ O -115 U -125

First Set Line: Bjorn Phau +110 Kevin Anderson -150

Match Time: 05:30 PM Eastern Time Thursday March 11, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: I am a little puzzled at the market on this match. Bjorn Phau of Germany, ranks slightly better, at No. 112, than Kevin Anderson of South Africa, at No.127. Phau also has a 3-4 mark, not great but decidedly better than Kevin’s 0-3 mark, don’t you think. Yet in spite of these differences, granted minor they are, Phau is the underdog at +130 and Anderson the favourite at -170. This seems to me a bit lopsided. And I would go so far as to recommend bucking the trend here.

Tennis Free Picks: Phau at +130 to win outright and at +110 to take the first set. Anderson to cover the spread at -2 ½ -120 would be my hedge bet just in case bookies know something I don’t. Finally, the Over 22 ½ at -115.

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American Mardy Fish in action at Indian Wells

Indian Wells, California – American Mardy Fish will be looking to give the home crowd something to cheer about when he kicks off his Indian Wells campaign. Mardy Fish is set to take on form Michael Berrer in the first round.

Mardy Fish has great memories in Indian Wells; he was runner-up in 2008 to Novak Djokovic after beating Roger Federer in the semis, soundly mind, 6-3, 6-2. Fish has struggled with consistency since 2008, his best season to date. In fact, he has been so inconsistent and streaky that he has dropped off the radar, to his current No. 106 ranking.

Because of these struggles, Fish will need all the support he can get. The home crowd will get behind him surely; however, whether it will be enough to launch a successful campaign remains to be seen. I would hazard, no. Well, in the first round fans might do the trick but in later rounds, as the opposition gets tougher, it will come down to whether he has enough game.

Tennis Betting Line:

Michael Berrer -115 23½ O -120 U -120
Mardy Fish -125 23½ O -120 U -120

First Set Line: Michael Berrer -115 Mardy Fish -125

Match Time: 07:30 PM Eastern Time Thursday March 11, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: While Fish has dropped to a ranking outside of the top 100 he hasn’t exactly been playing badly. He has had two encouraging runs this season in Sydney and Delray Beach wherein he made the semis of both events. Overall, he is 6-5 on the season. For these parts and home edge the bookies have decided to give him the edge on the odds, listing him slightly ahead of Berrer at -125.

Berrer ranks No.51 in the world and is an impressive (by his standards) 10-5 on the season. This is the best start on a term for Berrer I can remember in some time. His highlights include quarters in Chennai and Dubai, and a runner-up finish in Zagreb. In between he also won a challenger event. Over and above his season, Berrer has the 1-0 edge over Fish having beaten him in Washington (2007). In spite of all this the bookies tip Berrer marginally shorter at -115.

Tennis Free Picks: The tight nature of this line indicates this will be a tough match. The bookies are edging Fish ahead and that has to be entirely because of having home edge. The environment is conducive to the local favourite winning. Berrer though is not going to be a cakewalk and he can beat Fish, even before a home crowd of fans. He did so once before at Washington, so theoretically, he could do so again. His chances are that much more improved because he is on form. Clearly, determining the winner is not going to be easy. I would go with the market and take Fish but one cannot be surprised if Berrer does indeed come through. Better value is on the totals at Over 23 ½ -120.

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ATP Masters Indian Wells Prime time Betting

Indian Wells, California –Taylor Dent has had his fair share of woes throughout his career, namely with back problems that sidelined him for over two years and threatened to end his career. Fortunately, Dent was able to return to tournament play last season and arguably no comeback has received as much attention in the American media.

With all the focus by the media a few things have become obvious, aside from the fact that his story of renaissance is heart-warming and everyone is wishing him well. That is becoming a viable threat in the game is a struggle and is going to take some time. This is his biggest challenge and what we have seen so far is not all that encouraging. The real question is whether he has enough time to do so and frankly, how viable can he become. After all, he isn’t the youngest spring chicken out there.

Dent takes on compatriot Ryan Harrison in an all-American first round encounter. Dent would have benefited from home edge methinks but given that both players are American home edge is cancelled out. It will come down to his game if he is to see into the second round.

Elsewhere Thiago Alves and veteran Rainer Schuettler will battle for a spot in the second round.

Tennis Betting Line:

Thiago Alves +2½ -125 +130 22½ O -110 U -130
Rainer Schuettler -2½ -115 -170 22½ O -110 U -130

First Set Line: Thiago Alves +115 Rainer Schuettler -155

Match Time: 09:00 PM Eastern Time Thursday March 11, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: World No.90 Rainer Schuettler is 33-years-old. That he is in the top 100 at his age and given the depth in the men’s game is a real achievement. It doesn’t come without a lot of hard work and dedication though something that Schuettler has in abundance. Unfortunately, Schuettler has been slow to get his season off the ground. He has only one victory on the term so far against four losses. He really needs to turn things around. Fortunately for his backers the bookies like his chances tipping him as the favourite at -170. I would have to agree with the market cast. I fancy Schuettler to go through. Thiago Alves is beatable and besides he isn’t having a great term either at 1-2.

Tennis Free Picks: Schuettler in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line:

Taylor Dent -3½ -120 -300 22 O -135 U -105
Ryan Harrison +3½ -120 +200 22 O -135 U -105

First Set Line: Taylor Dent -200 Ryan Harrison +150

Match Time: 10:00 PM Eastern Time Thursday March 11, 2010

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Tennis Betting Verdict: Last year Dent and Harrison met twice at the lower circuits and split the meetings. Dent, 28, lost the first encounter 7-5, 3-6, 6-1 to Harrison, 17; but won the second 6-3, 6-3. Dent takes a rather generous price into his opening round match, listed at -300 to win outright. Harrison, who clearly accounted well against Dent both times, takes a significant underdog price of +200. I can understand to some extent why the market is so spread out where these two are concerned. Dent has experience and a ranking in the top 100. Harrison has little experience and a ranking outside of the top200, verging on the 300’s. However, this is a shot for Harrison to make a statement. Dent hasn’t been exactly on form this year. He is only 2-6 ahead of Indian Wells, which makes him beatable. The question is whether he can do it.

Tennis Free Picks: I like Harrison’s chances in this match more than Dent’s price tag, which I believe to be unwarranted and too generous. I would therefore recommend backing the puppy at +200 to win and taking Dent on the spread at -3 ½ -120 (covers both results). The totals at Over 22 -135 would also be my recommendation.

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