ATP Pilot Pen Quarterfinals – Stepanek and Istomin eye semis

New Haven, CT, USA – Radek Stepanek and Denis Istomin are through to the ATP Pilot Pen quarterfinals. They will be bidding for a spot in the semis on Thursday. Stepanek takes on Viktor Troicki while Istomin goes head-to-head with Teimuraz Gabashvili. Here is a look at their quarterfinal matchups, which are currently trading at BetOnline Sportsbook.

Tennis Betting Line:

Teimuraz Gabashvili  +3½  -135   +200   22½  O -115   U -125  
Denis Istomin  -3½  -105   -300    +200   22½  O -115   U -125  

Match Time: 02:00 PM Eastern Time (11:00 AM Pacific Time) Thursday August 26, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: It will be the first career meeting between Gabashvili and Istomin when they collide in the New Haven quarters. Gabashvili is at the disadvantage going into this match. He weighs in at No.98 in the world and he takes an underwhelming 8-11 mark on the season.

[Off topic: by the way, do you want to get a 60% bonus on your first deposit here at BetOnline? So go on JOIN NOW.]

By contrast, Istomin looms threatening. The Uzbek is 25-19 on the season and ranks at a career-high No.46. Recently, Istomin has enjoyed some measured success – he was a quarterfinalist in Hamburg a semi-finalist in Eastbourne and he reached the third round of Wimbledon (which is a good result for an unheralded player).

Istomin is the bookies favourite and to all intents and purposes, the better bet. Gabashvili though isn’t without a shot, tipped at +200. Istomin is still inexperienced enough to be  beatable so I wouldn’t be surprised if Gabashvili did upset Istomin. That said Istomin has impressed me with his resolve lately and if I were betting house money I would back him to victory.

Tennis Free Picks: Istomin in three sets

Tennis Betting Line:

Victor Troicki  -2  -120   -150   23½  O Ev   U -140  
Radek Stepanek  +2  -120   +110  23½  O Ev   U -140

Match Time: 08:30 PM Eastern Time (05:30M Pacific Time) Thursday August 26, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Radek Stepanek is enjoying a standout week in New Haven. The veteran Czech is through to his first quarterfinal since Brisbane in January beating No.3 seed Fernando Gonzalez along the way.

Stepanek has had a rough year. When he wasn’t dealing with injuries, he was struggling in tournament play. Ahead of Pilot Pen, he was on a three-match losing streak and things looked dire. Nevertheless, he’s turned things around here, seemingly finding form at the last moment, and he’s on the verge of a spot in the semis.

Standing in his way is Troicki. He takes a 3-1 lifetime edge over Viktor Troicki into their clash. In spite of the solid head-to-head edge, he is the puppy at +110 to win outright. Troicki, who has the lone win on 2010 between the pair, is the slight favourite at -150.

In many ways, this match is a tossup. Whichever way you slice this match, there is value to be had. In my mind though Stepanek has the slight edge over Troicki, mentally and if push comes to shove, the Czech should come out on top.

Tennis Free Picks: Stepanek in three sets