WTA Acapulco 1st Round Tennis Betting Picks: Cornet and Cirstea players to watch

Acapulco, Mexico – Young up-and-comers Sorana Cirstea and Alize Cornet will be looking to steal some of the spotlight in Acapulco but they are in illustrious company with Venus Williams headlining the draw, and who, for all intended purposes, is the player to beat in Acapulco. Cirstea falls into the same section of the draw as Venus and could potentially be a semi-final matchup for the American. Of course, it is a long way to go before the final four are set and there is the small matter of earlier rounds.

Cirstea is seeded fourth in the tournament and ergo one of the market favourites in her section to reach the semis. Of course, starting the tournament convincingly will add shine to her stock value, something she has struggled to do so far this year. In fact, she has barely gotten her season off the ground. Can she turn things around finally?

Cornet enters the event unseeded but the Frenchwoman is a perceived threat on clay and as such, has a shot to shakedown a seed or two before all is said and done. She has had a slow start this year as well and will be looking to find form.
Here is a look at some of the women’s first round action in Acapulco, complete with BetOnline odds and expert tennis free picks.

Tennis Betting Line:

Sorana Cirstea -3½ -120 -250 20½ O -110 U -130
Sharon Fichman +3½ -120 +185 20½ O -110 U -130

First Set Line: Sorana Cirstea -190 Sharon Fichman +145

Match Time: 06:00 PM Eastern Time Monday February 22, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Sorana Cirstea of Romania, ranked No.40, enters this tournament as the fourth seed. Last year, she had an amazing run at Roland Garros, reaching the quarters wherein she lost to Samantha Stosur. Afterwards, Cirstea enjoyed a few more standout performances – Los Angeles semis and Cincinnati and US Open third round appearances. But that was the last time she enjoyed a winning streak, however brief.

Cirstea finished the season on a barely audible note, a five-match losing streak, and extended that negative run with a first round exit at Sydney, her first tournament of the 2010 season. She went on to make a second round showing at the Aussie Open, before slipping back to her losing ways. She arrives in Acapulco on a three-match losing streak since falling in the Aussie Open second round.

Tennis Free Picks: Having said all that Cirstea is still the market favourite in this match, listed at -250 to win outright. She is the better play despite her negative trend because Sharon Fichman of Canada is a no name, ranked beyond the top 100 and boasts a 1-5 mark on the season. Fichman is a long shot.

Sign up now and get FULL access to all of BetOnline features!

Tennis Betting Line:

Alize Cornet -4½ -125 -300 20 O -125 U -115
Jill Craybas +4½ -115 +200 20 O -125 U -115

First Set Line: Alize Cornet -200 Jill Craybas +150

Match Time: 06:00 PM Eastern Time Monday February 22, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Alize Cornet, 20, takes a 1-0 edge over Craybas, 35, into their first round match, a mark she gained when she beat Craybas in the semis in Acapulco, two years ago. This time they are meeting in the first round at Acapulco. Craybas has been slow to get her season going, she is only 3-5 for the term. Craybas, who has had her share of woes, takes a 3-4 mark. Both players are ranked in the top 90. On paper, as things currently stand, they would appear to match up well. Cornet though has several things going in her favour – youth and surface edge. Cornet is at least 15 years junior and a budding clay-court talent that really should be ranked better. Craybas is a good clay-courter mind but the American struggles on the circuit more and more these days.

Tennis Free Picks: Cornet is the smart play, listed at -300 to win outright and at -200 to win the first set. Craybas will be competitive methinks, you don’t play the game at 35 if you don’t love the competition. Craybas to cover the spread at + 4 ½ -115 as well as force the Over 20 -120 is an additional angle.

Get in on the action now – SIGN UP HERE