ABN AMRO Quarters Picks: Soderling vs. Benneteau

Rotterdam, Netherlands – Robin Soderling is in the midst of his first winning streak on the season, at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament and he will aim to extend his two-match run (put that way it is not quite so impressive is it, now) to three when he takes on French veteran, Julien Benneteau.

Soderling got his season off to a rather lop-sided start. He was impressive in Abu Dhabi and en route to a runner-up finish (l. to Nadal) he overcame Roger Federer in the semis for the first time in his career. The event was an exhibition event however and so had no bearing on his season in terms of points or ranking. It did encourage many to interpret the performance as a sign of good things to come from the Swede in 2010. Can you blame them?

Thus, it was with unmasked surprise to see Soderling crash out of the Chennai Open to world No.100 Robbie Ginepri and immediately afterwards crash out of the Australian Open first round to World No. 113 Marcel Granollers. To say that was not the start anticipated for the Sod-man is an understatement.

Robin Soderling fans must be heartened to see him finally get some wins on the season under his belt, but, and this is not to yank ye fan’s chain, they were not convincing. Let us be honest. He needed three sets to take out Florent Serra and two tight sets to take out qualifier Igor Sijsling. He was so unimpressive that one almost could not watch his matches. (Although when he is “hot” I can’t bring myself to watch him play, his forehand shot is just one of the most awkward shots in the game, the take back so awkward).

But I digress. Where was I? Ah, in a huff: He is supposed to be a top ten player. Crikey! A standard that for most players is but wishful thinking. He should have been schooling these players, the latter more so than the former.

This tournament may not mean so much for the broader season yet I cannot help but think that should his performance here continue in such a painful manner, it will have far-reaching consequences and the pain will spill over into the coming events.

Julien Benneteau is not a high-ranked rival but the world No. 38 has held his own against Soderling over his career and only trails 2-3 lifetime. The last meeting between the two was in Brisbane in 2009 where Benneteau succumbed to Soderling in straight sets 6-3, 6-3.

Soderling managed an enviable coup last year when he beat Roger Federer in Paris. That victory was the biggest victory in his career; surely, beating world No.8 Soderling would be a cakewalk. Significantly, Benneteau has been solid in Rotterdam and he comes into this match on form.

Tennis Betting Line: Robin Soderling -350 Julien Benneteau +225

First Set Line: Robin Soderling -275 Julien Benneteau +190

Match Time: 10:30 AM Eastern Time Friday February 12, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Having ranted all that above the market is at complete opposites, listing Soderling a cushy favourite at -350. I will get straight to the point: I don’t think he is worth that price (surprise, surprise). He has been too patchy in Rotterdam to recommend bettors lay down that much money on him and in turn, to win a measly payout. I much rather Benneteau’s odds at +225 as well as the Frenchman’s odds on the first set. That’s just my humble opinion.

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