Swedish Open – Robredo and Verdasco on crash course in semis

Bastad, Sweden – Defending champion Tommy Robredo went through to the final eight when he beat qualifier Peter Luczak of Poland. Joining him in the quarters is compatriot Fernando Verdasco who survived a three-set thriller and saved a match point against Daniel Koellerer of Austria 6-7(1), 6-2, 7-5.

Robredo and Verdasco are on a collision course in Bastad, set to collide in the semis should they both advance in the quarters. Here is a look at their upcoming quarterfinal encounters.

Tennis Betting Line: Tommy Robredo -800 Teimuraz Gabashvili +425

Match Time: 05:00 A.M. Eastern Time Friday July 17 2009

Head-to-Head Analysis: It will be the first-career meeting between No.16 Tommy Robredo and No.75 Teimuraz Gabashvili.

Tennis Betting Verdict: Defending champion and third seed Tommy Robredo is a hot favourite to advance into the semis, listed at BetOnline Sportsbook at -800. The Spaniard is enjoying a standout season and enters the quarters with a 35-14 mark and 2 clay court titles on the season. Robredo was a 2009 French Open quarterfinalist most recently. Clay courts are clearly his best surface.

Teimuraz Gabashvili is a hefty underdog in this match. The Russsian arrived in Bastad 8-16 on the season. In reaching the quarters, Gabashvili topped Christophe Rochus and Bjorn Phau and improves to 10-16. Gabashvili is not without clay-court skills himself but Robredo is in a different league. Gabashvili would have to play the match of the tournament to beat Robredo. Though anything is possible, banking on Gabashvili is a long shot bet. Robredo is the value play.

Tennis Betting Free Picks: Robredo in three sets

Tennis Betting Line: Fernando Verdasco -200 Juan Monaco +150

Match Time: 05:00 A.M. Eastern Time Friday July 17 2009

Head-to-Head Analysis: No.9 Fernando Verdasco trails 2-4 lifetime against No.61 Juan Monaco; however, Verdasco beat Monaco most recently at the Masters Madrid R16 7-5, 6-2.

Tennis Betting Verdict: Top seed and world No.9 Fernando Verdasco should enter this match as a firm favourite to advance into the semis. There is a lot of value in betting on Verdasco this season; he has made at least the quarters or better in 8 of 12 tournaments this season. He is an impressive 31-13 coming into this tournament and with his second round victory – a hard fought one – he improves to 32-13. That said, Juan Monaco (the underdog) in this match is a value play as well. If there were an underdog that could mastermind the upset in Bastad, it would be Monaco. The Argentine is a clay court specialist. In 2007, he picked up three titles on clay Buenos Aires, Poertschach and Kitzbuhel – ironically, he beat Verdasco in the semis in Kitzbuhel that year en route to the title. Granted going on season alone, Verdasco is the better play; going, on surface either player has a chance and tennis bettors would do worse than bank on the underdog.

Tennis Betting Free Picks: Verdasco in three sets