WTA Indian Wells: Jankovic and Wickmayer in third round action
March 15, 2010
Indian Wells, California – Jelena Jankovic and Yanina Wickmayer are in third round action today, a spot in the last 16 on the line. Jankovic is set to go head-to-head with Sara Errani while Wickmayer takes on Roberta Vinci. Here is a look at the mid afternoon action at BetOnline.
Tennis Betting Line :
Roberta Vinci +4½ Ev +275 20 O -115 U -125
Yanina Wickmayer -4½ -140 -450 20 O -115 U -125
Match time: 05:30 PM Eastern Time Monday March 15, 2010
First Set Line: Roberta Vinci +225 Yanina Wickmayer -350
Tennis Betting Verdict: Roberta Vinci enters as the +275 puppy against Yanina Wickmayer, listed at firm -450 favourite odds. The bookies also favour Wickmayer on the spread at – 4 ½ -140 and they are leaning towards a pretty solid performance by Wickmayer on the totals, offering up the expected outcome as the Under 20 -125. With Wickmayer favoured across the board so, it would be only natural for tennis bettors to fall in line and I have to say there is little to suggest doing otherwise. Wickmayer has all the edge over Vinci and frankly, the only way I would see Wickmayer losing is if she were to have an off day or if Vinci were to simply play lights out tennis.
Tennis Free Picks: Wickmayer in straight sets
Tennis Betting Line:
Sara Errani +4 -105 +200 20½ O -120 U -120
Jelena Jankovic -4 -135 -300 20½ O -120 U -120
Match time: 07:00 PM Eastern Time Monday March 15, 2010
First Set Line: Sara Errani +150 Jelena Jankovic -200
Tennis Betting Verdict: Jankovic has been nothing to rave about this season. She arrived in Indian Wells 5-4 on the season, which included first round exits at Monterrey and Sydney, and third round at the Aussie Open and Dubai. For a former world No.1 player these results are rather disappointing. They are so because there doesn’t seem to be a logical explanation for them, no apparent physical (injury) reason for the sudden slip in form. Save for perhaps a lack of interest, maybe? Just throwing it out there.
In spite of all this, the bookies would still have Jankovic as the favourite to win outright. In theory, I can’t argue with the cast, it falls in line with the respective ranking of each player and their perceived abilities. Yet, realistically, Errani has a shot. Most matches are determined in the locker room, before the first ball is struck. If a player leaves the locker room believing they can win, they just might do so.
Errani has to have noticed Jankovic’s woes on the season and her less than formidable form. One has to believe that in knowing this Errani should see Jankovic as a beatable opponent and not one to be feared. With the psychology thus altered, would not Errani have a better chance than her odds would indicate to mastermind the upset. I certainly think so.
Tennis Free Picks: Errani in three sets
NFL News – Browns Give Us Seven Million Reasons To Hate Jake Delhomme
March 15, 2010
The Browns have signed Jake Delhomme to a $7 million contract because apparently they were scared that the home-grown boy from Louisiana didn’t make enough money last year. Shouldn’t it have been a warning sign that the franchise that cut him recently did so despite still owing him $12.7 million from a contract signed last summer? Jake is expected to start for Cleveland Brown as Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn have both been sent away, and now the Browns’ fans have every reason to buy a fresh stock of brown, paper bags to wear at games.
This kind of stuff absolutely infuriates me. Delhomme entered the 2008 season with lots of hope, and his Panthers entered the playoffs with an outside shot of being a decent long shot bet. Then Delhomme threw 5-interceptions in the infamous game against the Cardinals. Apparently those five picks, along with the 12 he threw in the regular season, weren’t enough to stop Carolina from offering him an unearthly contract extension that guaranteed him $20 million and was worth up to $42.5 million.
Delhomme rewarded the Panthers by throwing a career high 18-interceptions with a quarterback rating of just 59.4. Let’s keep in mind that he managed to throw all those gut wrenching turnovers in just 11 games and was unseated by Matt Moore after he broke a finger late in the season.
The two-year deal offered by Mike Holmgren will give Delhomme $7 million this year and a total of $19.7 million in 2010 considering how much the Panthers still have to pay him. You read that right. He could’ve sat on his ass eating gumbo and shooting possums in his back yard and made more money than you or I will ever see in our lifetimes.
The Browns have been very busy at the quarterback position, and signing the 35-year old Delhomme to lead the new era of Browns football in to the new decade is indication that Mike Holmgren has either lost his mind, or just subscribed himself to the many years of ineptitude in Cleveland. In the midst of signing Delhomme, the Browns burned bridges with Derek Anderson and dealt Brady Quinn to the Denver Broncos for a fullback I don’t care about and a bunch of low-end draft picks.
Quinn will be aligned with Josh McDaniels and can now be the franchise guy of the future for the impatient Broncos. Honestly, I know that there are a few Quinn haters out there, but the guy’s mechanics and leadership, along with his experiences at college, could still make him a decent NFL quarterback. All hope isn’t lost with him and Denver can finally forget about subjecting us to any more Rex Grossman appearances.
What all this shuffling does for the Browns is reveal who they’re going to take in the NFL Draft. Sam Bradford has jumped in to the top-spot on most draft boards, especially because St. Louis would rather pay big money to a quarterback than either of the top-rated defensive linemen available. Jimmy Clausen is the second-best quarterback rated in the draft, meaning that Cleveland is slated to take yet another Notre Dame quarterback and employ their second Charlie Weiss product after Quinn.
Clausen has the chance to be the quarterback of the future in Cleveland, and it’s still not guaranteed that he’ll be selected when the Browns step to the podium with the seventh overall pick. But considering that Delhomme is under center and lifetime backup Seneca Wallace is sitting right behind him, Holmgren owes it to his fans and franchise to at least shine a little ray of hope on the Browns.
Congrats on your signing of Jake Delhomme, Cleveland betting fans. You just spent $7 million for about 15 interceptions and an injury around Week 12. Only in the NFL can you make a ridiculous living by doing the opposite of what makes you successful.
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WTA Indian Wells: Zvonareva and Pennetta bid for last 16
March 15, 2010
Indian Wells, California – Women’s tennis betting action livens up this week as the tournaments heads towards the last 16. Vera Zvonareva and Flavia Pennetta will be looking to secure their spots in the fourth round at the expense of Anastasija Sevastova and Shahar Peer, respectively.
On paper, Zvonareva has the easier path against unheralded Sevastova; Pennetta has a tough course against on-form Peer. Nevertheless, both players are still bookmakers’ favourites to advance.
Tennis Betting Line:
Vera Zvonareva -4½ -125 -500 20 O -110 U -130
Anastasija Sevastova +4½ -115 +300 20 O -110 U -130
First Set Line: Vera Zvonareva -350 Anastasija Sevastova +225
Match time: 04:00 PM Eastern Time Monday March 15, 2010
Tennis Betting Verdict: Russian Vera Zvonareva arrived in Indian Wells on form, with an 11-3 mark that included a last 16 at the Aussie Open, a runner-up finish in Pattaya City and a quarterfinal appearance in Dubai. Zvonareva improves to 12-13 by reaching the third round in Indian Wells (she had a bye into the second round). She advanced without dropping a set over Sloane Stephens 6-4, 7-5.
Anastasija Sevastova is a player to watch in my opinion because she is after a very good week in Monterrey where she reached the semis. The run must have lent her some confidence as she reaches the third round convincingly, namely with victory over former world No.1 Ana Ivanovic in the second round. Having said expecting she would beat on-form top player, Zvonareva is an entirely different thing.
Tennis Free Picks: Zvonareva is the firm favourite at -500 and the better play. She really should advance into the last 16. Sevastova can make this match interesting though and there is value on her handicap odds listed at +4 ½ -115. The totals, at Under 20 -130 is the pick.
Tennis Betting Line:
Flavia Pennetta -2½ -125 -160 21½ O -105 U -135
Shahar Peer +2½ -115 +120 21½ O -105 U -135
First Set Line: Flavia Pennetta -150 Shahar Peer +110
Match time: 04:00 PM Eastern Time Monday March 15, 2010
Tennis Betting Verdict: Flavia Pennetta takes a 3-0 lifetime edge over Shahar Peer into their third round encounter. However, the last time Pennetta beat Peer was early in 2009. Since the start of the season, Pennetta has slipped a tad in form while Peer has really cranked up the volume.
Both however come into this match on the heels of a good start on the season, which should make this a more competitive match. Moreover, many expect this might be Peer’s best chance to get into the win column against Pennetta.
Tennis Free Picks: Whichever way you slice this match there is value to be had. Pennetta is still favoured at -160 and the good play. Peer has looked solid and at + 120, she is the value bet for the upset. The spread is a good option on Pennetta methinks, at -2 ½ -125. It is the favoured outcome. The Under 21 ½ -135 as well.
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Nadal Continues Indian Wells title defence against Ancic
March 15, 2010
Indian Wells, California – Rafael Nadal is set to continue his title defence campaign this afternoon but he takes on a dangerous floater in Mario Ancic. Elsewhere, Guillermo Garcia-Lopez will look to back up his upset win over Marin Cilic when he takes on Thomaz Bellucci.
Tennis Betting Line :
Mario Ancic +5 -105 +700 19½ O -125 U -115
Rafael Nadal -5 -135 -1600 19½ O -125 U -115
First Set Line: Mario Ancic +425 Rafael Nadal -800
Match time: 05:30 PM Eastern Time Monday March 15, 2010
Tennis Betting Verdict: Rafael Nadal enters as the massive -1600 favourite over Mario Ancic, listed at +700. Ancic has been out of circulation for a few years, injuries and illness sidetracked him. However, tennis bettors in the know will remember the Croatian, Ancic as a promising, rising star. In fact, he reached a career-high in the top ten three years ago but then his decline set in and he fell off the radar. That he has enviable organic talent is without question and it is what makes Ancic a bit of a dark horse in Indian Wells. The question is whether he has enough match form and confidence to upset the defending champion. I don’t think so. That is my opinion.
But why I would think so is because Ancic is after a three-setter against Julien Benneteau in the second round –two important things to note here a) he needed three sets to take out Benneteau (and he isn’t a top ten player) and b) he has to be a bit pooped after that match. Moreover, Ancic trails 1-3 lifetime against Nadal and has only ever taken a set off the Spaniard.
Tennis Free Picks – Nadal at -1600 | Nadal at – 5 -135| Over 19 ½ -115
Tennis Betting Line:
Guillermo Garcia Lopez +2 -115 +135 23 O -110 U -130
Thomaz Bellucci -2 -125 -175 23 O -110 U -130
First Set Line: Guillermo Garcia Lopez +125 Thomaz Bellucci -165
Match time: 05:30 PM Eastern Time Monday March 15, 2010
Tennis Betting Verdict: Guillermo Garcia-Lopez shocked Marin Cilic in the second round on Saturday to oust the favoured Croatian and move into the third round. That Garcia-Lopez was simply sensational against Cilic is highlighted by the fact that he held him to love in the second set,7-6 (1), 6-0. Now the question is whether Garcia-Lopez, who had arrived in Indian Wells without a match win on the season, can back-up the win with another against Bellucci.
The bookies are against him doing so, as is psychology. There is a tendency for players to come out flat after touching unimaginable highs that come with big victories. Moreover, Bellucci is considered the better player of the two and he has the added benefit of being well rested after receiving a free pass into the third round on Moya’s withdrawal.
Tennis Free Picks – Bellucci -175 | Over 23 -110| Garcia-Lopez +2 -115
WTA Indian Wells: Clijsters and Azarenka in action
March 15, 2010
Indian Wells, California – Kim Clijsters and Viktoria Azarenka are set to battle in the third round today, a spot in the fourth round on the line. Few expect Clijsters and Azarenka to falter at this stage and not make their last 16 appointments. That notwithstanding, Clijsters has a tough court date against Alisa Kleybanova of Russia and whereas Azarenka has on paper easy matchup against Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez several favourites have already wilted in the California desert, and both would do well to be mindful of that.
Tennis Betting Line :
Victoria Azarenka -5½ -135 -1000 19 O -115 U -125
Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez +5½ -105 +500 19 O -115 U -125
First Set Line: Victoria Azarenka -500 Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez +300
Match time: 09:00 PM Eastern Time Monday March 15, 2010
Tennis Betting Verdict: Viktoria Azarenka is one of the short-odd-on favourites to win the title in Indian Wells. That expectation is based on her performance last year during March Madness when the Belarusian beat Serena Williams at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami, an event that follows Indian Wells and is just as prestigious. In winning Miami, Azarenka cemented herself as a viable challenger at such events.
Azarenka is the -1000 favourite to win outright and by all accounts the better play. However tennis bettors looking for value would be better served betting on the spread and totals. Azarenka to cover the spread at -5 -135 and win convincingly, Under 19 -125 are the favoured plays. Methinks Martinez Sanchez might be more competitive than the market expects her to be, so I would make a play at the very least on her handicap odds, at + 5 ½ -105 and the Over 19 -115.
Tennis Free Picks:
Tennis Betting Line:
Alisa Kleybanova +4½ -110 +275 20 O -130 U -110
Kim Clijsters -4½ -130 -450 20 O -130 U -110
First Set Line: Alisa Kleybanova +225 Kim Clijsters -350
Match time: 10:30 PM Eastern Time Monday March 15, 2010
Tennis Betting Verdict: This is the most anticipated match of the day between two of the best hitters and power players in the women’s game today. So at least I think. In my opinion, both ladies are beautiful ball strikers and they have some of the best-controlled power shots in the game. They are good thinkers on the court. If there were an edge it would be Clijsters movement. Clijsters is a much better mover than Kleybanova. She is also the fitter of the two players and both these qualities should serve her well to victory. Of course, anything can happen – it was not long ago when Clijsters was completely blitzed by Nadia Petrova. Kleybanova is that good in my opinion, although I don’t think we have seen it from her yet. She still could win and as such there is value in bucking the trend in this match.
Tennis Free Picks: I firmly believe this match is a tossup with value in both camps for different reasons. Clijsters will be the popular play at -450 but Kleybanova at +275 should see action as well in the market, and a good chunk of it. Kleybanova on the spread might be the more popular play at + 4 ½ -110. This match should be competitive and the Over 20 -130 would be my recommendation.
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Berdych and Verdasco collide in the third round
March 15, 2010
Indian Wells, California – Tomas Berdych and Fernando Verdasco are set to battle for a spot in the last 16 today. Elsewhere, Ivan Ljubicic and Brian Dabul will go head-to-head for a spot in the last 16. BetOnline has already rolled out tennis betting lines and odds on both men’s third round matches so without further ado, here is a look at the markets and how they are trading.
Tennis Betting Line:
Tomas Berdych +3 -125 +150 22½ O -125 U -115
Fernando Verdasco -3 -115 -200 22½ O -125 U -115
First Set Line: Tomas Berdych +135 Fernando Verdasco -175
Match time: 05:30 PM Eastern Time Monday March 15, 2010
Tennis Betting Verdict: Fernando Verdasco enters his third round encounter against Tomas Berdych as the firm -200 favourite. Meanwhile, Berdych is listed at mere +150 odds. The close tennis betting line suggests this match could go either way, which is true, and it is indicative of these two players occasional inconsistent form.
Verdasco has the better results these days and so naturally, bookies expect he will win. Berdych has loads of talent but he has been the less convincing of the two recently. He can beat a player of Verdasco’s ilk, no doubt about that. The question is when rather than if where he is concerned.
One simply does not know when he might come up big or similarly fall flat. At this point, neither would be surprising of the Czech.
Tennis Free Picks – If I were betting house money I would bet on Verdasco to win outright. Verdasco at -200 is my pick but I would hedge this bet with Berdych on the spread at +3 -125. The Over 22 1/2 -125 would be the totals bet.
Tennis Betting Line:
Brian Dabul+3½ -110 +225 22½ O -115 U -125
Ivan Ljubicic -3½ -130 -350 22½ O -115 U -125
First Set Line: Brian Dabul +185 Ivan Ljubicic -250
Match time: 05:30 PM Eastern Time Monday March 15, 2010
Tennis Betting Verdict: Ivan Ljubicic is one of several veterans to have arrived in Indian Wells and so far so good for the 31-year-old. He had a bye into the second round where he topped Ryan Harrison to reach the third round. He now faces another unheralded challenger in the third round, No.175 Brian Dabul.
Tennis Free Picks – Ljubicic is the firm favourite at -350 to win outright and he is the smart play in my opinion. Take Ljubicic to beat Dabul and rather convincingly. Ljubicic on the spread at – 3 ½ -130 and the Under 22 ½ -125 are the popular bets.
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