Allianz Suisse Open – Andreev and Beck favored to reach the final

Gstaad, Switzerland – The Allianz Suisse Open moves into the semis and the only remaining seeded player still alive in the tournament is third seed Igor Andreev. Andreev, 26, finished runner-up last year when he lost to Victor Hanescu in straight sets. He is within shot of back-to-back finals, but standing in his way is Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci, who was granted a spot in the semis ager Nicolas Kiefer was forced to retire with a left ankle injury when leading 6-3, 0-1.

Elsewhere, Marcos Daniel of Brazil dismissed Florent Serra 6-4, 7-6(!) to reach his first ATP World Tour semi-final. He next meets Andreas Beck of Germany, who also reaching his first ATP World Tour semi-final when he edge out Victori Crivoi 6-4, 7-6(5).

Tennis Betting Line: Marcos Daniel -115 Andreas Beck -125

Match Time: 04:00 A.M. Eastern Time Saturday August 1 2009

Tennis Betting Verdict: Marcos Daniel has found his stride at Gstaad and reaches his first ATP World Tour semi-final to the surprise of all. Prior to Gstaad, Daniel boasted a 3-8 mark. He had not won back-to-back matches in forever. Yet, here he is in the semis; and at 31-years-old, Daniel is the oldest player still alive in the tournament. He punched above his weight class and got a bit of help from an easy section of the draw to reach the semis. He beat an on-and-off French trio – Paul-Henri Mathieu, Julien Benneteau, and Florent Serra – to his final four spot. He takes on Andreas Beck for the first time in his career. Beck, 23, is also appearing in his first-ever semis. Beck arrived in Gstaad, 11-12 on the season; he improves to 14-12. Expect this to be an interesting match. Beck has youth and exuberance on his side; Daniel experience. Oh and organic clay court skills. Value whichever way you split it really. No wonder the line is so tight. For my part, Daniel is the pick; I expect, experience to prevail.

Tennis Betting Line: Daniel in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: Thomaz Bellucci +175 Igor Andreev -225

Match Time: 04:00 A.M. Eastern Time Saturday August 1 2009

Tennis Betting Verdict: No.119 Bellucci, 21, enters the match as the underdog, listed at +175 at BetOnline Sportsbook. Bellucci was both fortunate and unfortunate to reach the semis. He was lucky because he benefited from the withdrawal of Kiefer; unfortunately, he was losing the match and advance only when Kiefer was unable to continue. Benefiting from the misfortune of another player – so some might feel he didn’t quite earn the free pass (maybe him included). Bellucci reached the final at Costa Do Sauipe earlier this year. He accounted for the upset over Wawrinka in the second round. He improves to 12-12 on the season.

Meanwhile, Andreev is the favourite at -225 and most tennis bettors will find value in backing the Russian. Andreev, 26, has hit a fine run of form this week and reaches his second semis on the season; he was a semi-finalist in Casablanca (clay) where he lost to eventual champion Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-7(9), 3-6. Overall, Andreev improves to 22-20 on the season. Most recently, he reached the last 16 at Wimbledon.

Tennis Betting Line: Andreev in three sets