Sam Querrey bids for spot in the Pilot Pen final

New Haven, CT – That Sam Querrey clinched the US Open series and will now be competing for additional bonus money at the US Open (up to a $1 million) makes him an interesting underdog for the fast approaching Grand Slam. That he is competing at the Pilot Pen Tennis tournament this week gives tennis bettors an opportunity to spot this fast-rising American. That he might move into the final today and perhaps even win the title on Saturday would make his star shoot off to a new stratosphere.

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Sam Querrey hasn’t been messing around during the US Open series. He reached the final in Indy and seized the title in Los Angeles. In Cincinnati, he took down Andy Roddick – his biggest win this season. And during this last warm up event for the US Open, he has taken advantage of a relatively watered down draw to improve his value in the eyes of many tennis bettors. He moved into the Pilot Pen semis with a victory over world No.8 Nikolay Davydenko on Thursday. Standing in his way of the tournament’s final movement is veteran Jose Acasuso, who ranks at an impressively threatening (not) world no.52. Granted Acasuso is enjoying an extraordinary run at New Haven, more so because he is predominantly a clay courter. Yet for all his perceived surface disadvantage, it has not held him back to negotiating a spot in the final four.

Tennis Betting Line:

Sam Querrey -3½ -130 -450 22½ O -110 U -130

Jose Acasuso +3½ -110 +275 22½ O -110 U -130

Match time: Not Before 3 PM Eastern Time Friday August 28 2009

Tennis Betting Verdict: Sam Querrey enters this match as the solid favourite, tipped at -450 on the money line. The American is 35-21 on the season with a title in Los Angeles, and three runner-up-finishes this season – Auckland, Newport and Indianapolis. His form has been the most impressive over the summer months and while he is the third top ranked American in the men’s game, (Roddick and Blake ranking above him) he is arguably second after Roddick. Blake is on his way out, with his game failing to hold up against his peers, confidence in tatters and ranking on a downward spiral.

Querrey has home edge and takes a 1-0 head-to-head lead over Acasuso. Their only meeting came in 2007 at the Australian Open when Querrey beat Acasuso in the first round 6-7(2), 6-4, 6-1, 6-3. Two years is a significant time as a lot can change for a player. In this case, it is irrelevant. Acasuso is not a player that has enjoyed a significant breakthrough in his career and most likely, he will not. He is just there. Whereas Querrey has only gotten better over the last two years.

This is not to say that Acasuso will not try to be competitive. He is after all enjoying a dream week and he will aim to continue the momentum. But the match is on Querrey’s racquet. He should win handily and move to the title match where he will most likely be the favourite to win the title.

Tennis Free Picks: Querrey in straight sets -450 | Over 22 ½ -110