Verdasco and Tsonga headline day 3 action at Wimbledon

London, Great Britain – Seventh seed Fernando Verdasco and ninth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga are on a collision course in the fourth round. The Spaniard and the Frenchman are fan favourites but they have gone under the radar a little since their exploits in Melbourne – Verdasco was the 2009 Aussie Open semi-finalist meanwhile Tsonga was the 2008 Aussie Open finalist. Verdasco is not much of a grassie but he is a good hard court player and he is high in the confidence department so he might do something special at SW19. Whereas Tsonga certainly has the game to shine on this surface but his confidence is suspect. Either way, should both Verdasco and Tsonga come through for tennis fans theirs will be an exciting fourth round contest. Here is a look at their corner of the draw at Wimbledon.

Tennis Betting Line: Fernando Verdasco -1000 Kristof Vliegen +500

Match Time: 07:00 A.M. Eastern Time Wednesday June 24 2009

Tennis Prediction: Fernando Verdasco enters this match with a hefty price tag of -1000. The Spaniard really came into his own at the 2009 Aussie Open and has carried the momentum since. He had a slight hiccup at the French Open two weeks or so ago (but then again who didn’t) when he lost in the fourth round – it was the first tournament this season that did not see him reach at the very least the quarterfinal round. Overall, Verdasco is 27-11 on the season. Belgian Kristof Vliegen stacks up as a lightweight. He is ranked No.82 in the world and he takes an 8-11 mark into Wimbledon. He has the 1-0 edge over Verdasco but that victory came in 2006 at the Aussie Open. Different time, different Verdasco. This Verdasco should win this math easily.

Tennis Free Picks: Verdasco in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: Guillermo Canas -190 Albert Montanes +145

Match Time: 07:00 A.M. Eastern Time Wednesday June 24 2009

Tennis Prediction: Guillermo Canas received a wild card into this event and I have to admit he put it to better use than I had expected. I thought he would crash in the opening round. But kudos Canas. You da man. Next up for No.140 Canas, who is 3-11 on the season coming into Wimbledon is No.33 Albert Montanes a clay-court specialist who is 14-15 on the season. both players are in a cosy section of the draw, with a unique chance to go to the third round, possibly even the fourth round depending on whom they will face next. But let us not get ahead of ourselves. In terms of who will go to the third round, it is a tossup. But going on form – or rather more match play, I like Albert Montanes and his chances to go to the third round. Either way

Tennis Free Picks: Montanes in four sets

Tennis Betting Line: Ivo Karlovic -500 Steve Darcis +300

Match Time: 07:00 A.M. Eastern Time Wednesday June 24 2009

Tennis Prediction: Big-serving Croatian Ivo Karlovic plays surprisingly well and moves rather gracefully on grass. He won the Nottingham title twice in his career. He ranks a solid No.36 in the world but this season has not been his best, evinced by his 14-13 mark that he arrived in Wimbledon with. That said, No.77 Steve Darcis has had an abysmal season. He is 3-11 on the year. Definitely a beatable opponent for Karlovic.

Tennis Free Picks: Karlovic in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: Simone Bolelli +600 Jo Wilfried Tsonga -1200

Match Time: 07:00 A.M. Eastern Time Wednesday June 24 2009

Tennis Prediction: I would love to see Jo-Wilfried Tsonga advance deep into Wimbledon but he has been short on confidence lately and at times patchy. Don’t think his time is nigh here yet. That said, he has had little trouble against lesser opponents this season and he shouldn’t tomorrow against No.66 Simone Bolelli. Tsonga owns their head-to-head series 2-0, having beaten the Italian twice this season in Sydney and Marseille. I expect a competitive match but the big price tag on the big man says it all. This match is on his racquet.

Tennis Free Picks: Tsonga in straight sets