Tennis Picks – Clay court Specialists in Barcelona

Barcelona, Spain – The Barcelona Open offers tennis bettors a little bit of everything, from hard-hitters to clay-court specialists, top-players to young-up-and-comers, and everything else that falls in between, making this one of the more exciting ATP Tour 500 events of the season. It doesn’t hurt that clay-court guru Rafael Nadal is back to defend his four back-to-back titles in Barcelona as well, elevating the status of the event that much more just by his attendance.

Tennis bettors have not forsworn the market nor have they been forsworn by it. Nadal is the undisputed clay court King. He casts an imposing shadow over the rest of the playing field and for the most part, tennis bettors feel he has the title in the bag. The weeklong tournament just a formality to what is a foregone conclusion in the market. Yet, some clay-court specialists might have something to say about that. And some sports bettors are of the mind something has to give. Will Nadal have it easy in Barcelona or will it be a tough battle to the title.

Tennis Betting Line: Nicolas Almagro -190 Juan Ignacio Chela +145

Match Time: 04:30 A.M. Eastern Time Wednesday April 22, 2009

Tennis Betting Verdict: Nicolas Almagro was once Spain’s most promising clay-courter. He was thought to be better than Nadal at one time (hard to believe in hindsight). But that was a long time ago, way back during their junior years. Since then, their fortunes have been different. While Nadal established himself as the clay-court King and went on to win many accolades, Almagro has not. In 2009, Almagro has failed to impress consistently enough, especially on his beloved surface. Granted, he has had some encouraging results, such as winning the title in Acapulco. First round exits in Buenos Aires and the ATP Masters Monte Carlo are concerning results though. Lately, he has slipped into another slump. He is 10-6 on the season proper, which includes a 7-3 mark on clay.

He opens his bid against veteran Juan Ignacio Chela, who currently ranks No.155 in the world and brings a 7-6 mark on the season to Barcelona. Chela opened his tournament with a first round victory against Thomaz Bellucci. In Monte Carlo, Chela reached the second round (l. to Nadal). Chela has not notched more than a two match-winning streak this season. Clearly, he is a long way from stellar form so Almagro should have a routine match.

Tennis Betting Picks: Almagro in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: Tomas Berdych -200 Oscar Hernandez +150

Match Time: 04:30 A.M. Eastern Time Wednesday April 22, 2009

Tennis Betting Verdict: Tomas Berdych is in a major slump. He has not impressed at all this season that most tennis bettors have all but given up on him entirely. He consistently punches below his weigh that tennis bettors have been more profitable when hedging their bets by taking an opposite position to him than risking money on him coming through as the favourite. This might be another case where tennis bettors would do worse than risk against him. On paper, this should be a blowout with Berdych trumping Hernandez. Given his recent woes and downward trend, he is well poised for an upset. And why not by the Spaniard Hernandez who will have the partisan crowd rallying behind him.

Tennis Betting Picks: Hernandez in three sets