Home faves Querrey and Isner eye quarterfinal spots in Houston

Houston, USA – Home favourites Sam Querrey and John Isner are set to bid for a spot in the US Men’s Clay Court Championships today when they take on Blaz Kavcic and Xavier Malisse, respectively.

Top American Sportsbook, BetOnline has some stellar markets set up for their respective clashes today, the least of which are straight bets. If you are considering betting on this event, or these matches (why wouldn’t you, seriously???), you will want to check out our breakdown below.

Tennis Betting Line:

Blaz Kavcic +4½ -105 +325 21½ O -115 U -125
Sam Querrey -4½ -135 -550 21½ O -115 U -125

First Set Line: Blaz Kavcic +275 Sam Querrey -450

Match Time: 04:00 PM Eastern Time Thursday April 8, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Sam Querrey enters the US Men’s Clay Court Championships as the No.3 seed and consequently one of several short odds on favourites for the title. Querrey is a modest 10-8 on the season, and a solid top 30 player. He has struggled somewhat this season but that is largely because he suffered an injury to his arm late last season and missed several months of tournament play. It has taken him some time to find form and he is still not as consistent as he should be.

Nevertheless, Querrey enters his opening match as the solid -550 favourite while his opposite, Kavcic is a significant puppy at +325. Everything about this clash suggests this is Querrey’s match to win or lose. He has home edge going for him as well as the advantage on paper. Kavcic ranks at No. 100 and prior to Houston was 1-2 on the season – both factors suggest he would be no threat to Querrey’s bid for a spot in the quarterfinals.

Tennis Free Picks: Querrey in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line:

Xavier Malisse +3 -120 +160 22½ O -125 U -115
John Isner -3 -120 -210 22½ O -125 U -115

First Set Line: Xavier Malisse +140 John Isner -180

Match Time: 07:00 PM Eastern Time Thursday April 8, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Xavier Malisse, 29, once ranked as high as No.19 in 2002, but he has fallen on hard times since. Now he weighs in at No.89 and is largely underwhelming on the season proper. He does though on occasion still manage to come up big. He will have to if he hopes to upset local favourite John Isner in the second round today.

Isner is a firm favourite at -210 while Malisse is only a mere +160 puppy. Clearly, the bookies have taken stock of Malisse’s credentials in the game and don’t take him lightly. There is an outside chance Malisse would upset Isner. Especially, on clay – a surface that is not the American’s best surface because he is not the best mover on court.

What he lacks in movement, he makes up for with his serve and forehand shots. Isner has a massive serve going for him, which should bail him out of trouble. He will rely heavily on this weapon against Malisse. Isner is a good bet to win but it might not be as easy as some would expect. Therefore, I fancy the Over 22 ½ -125 and Malisse to cover the spread at + 3 -120.

Tennis Expert Prediction: Isner in three sets