US Open Betting – Tursunov, Kohlschreiber in action (Matches Delayed)

Flushing Meadow, New York – Russian Dmitry Tursunov and German Philipp Kohlschreiber are amongst many kicking off the 2009 US Open today. The pair open their bids against dangerous floaters in Marc Gicquel and Andreas Seppi respectively. Here is a look at their upcoming matches.

Tennis Betting Line:

Marc Gicquel -3½ -110 -220 39½ O -125 U -115

Dmitry Tursunov +3½ -130 +170 39½ O -125 U -115

Match Time: Not Before 04:00 P.M. Eastern Time Monday August 31, 2009

Tennis Betting Verdict: Both Dmitry Tursunov and Marc Gicquel have been around for some time on the Tour yet they have never crossed paths at an ATP event, until now that is. Tursunov is a talented player but his day-to-day output does not reflect that talent. He is too inconsistent and unpredictable that he moves from event-to-event oscillating between good to abysmal turnouts. That he is an underwhelming 14-16 on the season but with picking up one title is case-and-point.

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Gicquel is a veteran at 32 but still ranks in the top 100 – a decent accomplishment some would say. This season has been a trial for the Frenchman and he has only tallied a mediocre 17-21 mark. During the US Open series, he totted a 5-4 mark. Not great by any means but he beat some talented (albeit struggling) players along the way in Ernests Gulbis and Victor Troicki.

Having said all this, note that Gicquel, who currently ranks No.81 is favoured to advance into the second round over No.32 Tursunov. The market clearly does not put much stock in Tursunov’s one title this season or his significant ranking edge over Gicquel. And I would agree. Gicquel is the better play in my opinion and I expect he will advance into the second round. But it will be a hard fought battle, just as the totals (over/under) indicates.

Tennis Free Picks: Gicquel in five sets | Over 39 ½ -125

Tennis Betting Line:

Philipp Kohlschreiber -3 -130 -170 40 O -115 U -125

Andreas Seppi +3 -110 +130 40 O -115 U -125

Match Time: Not Before 04:00 P.M. Eastern Time Monday August 31, 2009

Tennis Betting Verdict: Andreas Seppi gave a good account of himself against Rafael Nadal at the Rogers Cup. Nadal is Nadal, and rusty or not he still dispatched Seppi by playing the big points better 7-6(4), 7-6(3). Last week, Seppi competed in New Haven where he lost to eventual champion Fernando Verdasco in the last 16 7-6(3), 6-2). With only two US Open series events under his belt with a 2-2 mark sum total of his turnout and a significant ranking disadvantage to Kohlschreiber, it is not surprise that Seppi enters as the underdog in this matchup.

Kohlschreiber weighs in as the world No.24 player, he is seeded in New York and he takes a 31-18 mark on the season. He is the favourite at -170 to advance into the second round. Yet, Kohlschreiber has not had a particularly encouraging US Open series by his standards. He is a disappointing 1-2 in two events – Canada and Cincinnati Masters.

The fact that Kohlschreiber is seemingly off form leads me to believe Seppi is in with a shot to mastermind the mini upset. At +130 he is a value play. In addition, the mood in the market points to another drawn out battle; take the Over on the totals.

Tennis Free Picks: Seppi in five sets | Over 40 -115