Copa Telmex First Round Betting: Nalbandian and Gaudio in action

Buenos Aires, Argentina – We are into the third week of the South American clay court swing and the third tournament of this short, early season clay-court swing. On the books is the Copa Telmex Buenos Aires, featuring David Ferrer as the top seed and last week’s Brasil Open 2010 champion Juan Carlos Ferrero as the second seed. Also in the draw is Argentine David Nalbandian who is on the road to recovery after hip surgery last year and wild card Gaston Gaudio. With noteworthy clay-court guru’s such as Nicolas Almagro, Juan Monaco and Igor Andreev also competing in Buenos Aires, the Copa Telmex should serve up some exciting tennis betting this week.

Here is a look at home favourites, David Nalbandian and Gaston Gaudio as they search to reclaim former glory days.

Tennis Betting Line :
David Nalbandian -3½ -135 -250 22 O -110 U -130
Potito Starace +3½ -105 +185 22 O -110 U -130

Match Time: 05:30 PM Eastern Time Monday February 15, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: David Nalbandian is looking to rediscover his former top form as he gets is season underway in Buenos Aires. Appearing in his first event since undergoing hip surgery last year Nalbandian comes in as the world No. 140 ranked player, dropping from his 2009 season starting ranking of world No. 11. Nalbandian has been a top 20 regular and he reached a career high ranking of No.3 2006.

It is hard to tell where David’s form truly lies. And it remains to be seen how far he can go in the tournament. Nevertheless, he enters his opening match as the -250 favourite. Obviously, bookies have taken stock of his former quality rather than his current ranking. Nalbandian has a career head-to-head edge over Potito Starace of Italy, having beaten him twice before in 2008 at Acapulco and Buenos Aires.

Starace currently has the ranking edge over Nalbandian, sitting at No.63. He has been slow to get his season off the ground taking a 3-5 mark into their first round encounter. Moreover, Starace’s tipping was a career high ranking of No.27 in 2007. It comes as no surprise Starace is the underdog, trading at +185.

Tennis Free Picks: In terms of betting, Nalbandian is a good bet to win outright. He is the better player and has home edge. Because he hasn’t played any matches since early last season, he might struggle a bit against Starace. Therefore, Starace to cover the spread at + 3 ½ -105 is a good bet as well as the Over 22 -110.

Tennis Betting Line:

Horacio Zeballos -3½ -125 -225 22 O -115 U -125
Gaston Gaudio +3½ -115 +175 22 O -115 U -125

Match Time: 07:30 PM Eastern Time February 15, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: In this all-Argentinean affair, Gaston Gaudio is the more popular Argentine having won the French Open in 2004. In fact, Gaston was the last player to win Roland Garros before Nadal appeared on the season and dominated the event for four-consecutive years (2005-2008). Of course, Nadal’s undefeated streak ended in 2009 when he lost to Soderling in the last 16, paving the way for Roger Federer to finally win the elusive Roland Garros crown.

Gaudio currently ranks No.174 in the world and he is appearing in his first event on the season. The 31-year-old ’s experience and Grand Slam credential have not swayed the bookies as they list him as the +175 underdog. Horacio Zeballos, ranked No. 52 in the world, is given the favourite nod instead as he enters this match as the -225 favourite. Standing in stark contradiction to his favourite odds is a 0-4 mark on the season.

Tennis Free Picks: Because Zeballos has yet to win a match on the season, methinks he is rather undeserving off his generous market price. It also suggests Gaudio has a shot to win this match. Worth a small risk at least. Because this is an all-Argentine affair we might be in for a slug-fest. Hence the Over 22 -115 is the better play.

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