Dubai Tennis Betting: Davydenko, Cilic and Melzer aim for Quarters

Dubai, UAE – Nikolay Davydenko, Marin Cilic and Tommy Robredo are favourites to advance into the quarterfinals when they take on their respective opposites Michael Berrer, Stefan Koubek and Jurgen Melzer. Might any of these underdogs have a credible shot to shake things up in Dubai or will the favourites keep the status quo and come through on their odds. Here is a look at the market as it is currently trading.

Tennis Betting Line: Tommy Robredo -140 Jurgen Melzer Ev
First Set Line: Tommy Robredo -130 Jurgen Melzer -110

Match Time: 05:00 AM Eastern Time Wednesday February 24, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Tommy Robredo and Jurgen Melzer set up the tightest matchup in the second round and the outcome is a tossup. Robredo is favoured, just barely, at -140 to win outright. He overcame Benneteau in the first round, a player he hasn’t had success against in a long time, which should be a huge confidence boost for the Spaniard. He needs all the confidence he can get because his season hasn’t been anything to write home about, at 2-4 to date. Jurgen Melzer is in the positive, at 7-5 ahead of Dubai and steadily showing signs of improvement. At Even odds, he has a real shot to upset Robredo. What is certain no match between these has been a cakewalk. Expect a tight contest with value whichever way you slice it. I am going with Robredo.

Tennis Free Picks: Robredo in three sets

Tennis Betting Line: Stefan Koubek +700 Marin Cilic -1600
First Set Line: Stefan Koubek +450 Marin Cilic -900

Match Time: 05:00 AM Eastern Time Wednesday February 24, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Stefan Koubek has nothing on Marin Cilic and he will be utterly out of his depth in this match. Cilic is an impressive 15-1 on the season with two titles; his only loss on the year came in the Aussie Open semis to Andy Murray. At a career-high ranking of world No.9, Cilic should advance into the second round with relative ease. Koubek has experience. He is a grinder and tough competitor, even when he knows the odds are stacked against him. I think he will try his best to be competitive but even he realizes he has no hope in this match, surely.

Tennis Free Picks: Cilic in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: Michael Berrer +650 Nikolay Davydenko -1400
First Set Line: Michael Berrer +425 Nikolay Davydenko -800

Match Time: 05:00 AM Eastern Time Wednesday February 24, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Michael Berrer can be a tricky opponent to play against for some players but not Davydenko, at least that is what the market believes. Davydenko is listed a solid, untouchable favourite at -1600 to win outright. Supporting this outrageous price is the fact that Davydenko is 12-2 on the season with one title. And a 2-0 edge over Berrer.

Davydenko was one of the best starters this season after seizing the ultimate prize at the end of last year at the Barclay’s World Tour Finals. Many expect Davydenko will be hot to trot this year as well.

Tennis Free Picks: Davydenko in straight sets.