WTA Acapulco Quarterfinal Picks: Venus Williams favored to clean up

Acapulco, Mexico – Venus Williams is the odds-on-favourite to clean up in Acapulco. It must help her odds that she is competing in a relatively watered down field. At world No. 5, Venus Williams outclasses the field, including the bunch of seeds that descended on Acapulco: starting with Agnes Szavay, the No.2 seed, ranked closest at No.32 and finishing with No.8 seed Polona Hercog, ranked No.59. Indeed, Venus should clean up in such a field without too much trouble.

Venus Williams is taking on Laura Pous Tio (who?) in the quarters, a qualifier that punched above her weight class to negotiate her place opposite the great American. I am sure she is thinking what a reward to get for all that effort. Elsewhere, Agnes Szavay and Polona Hercog will battle for a spot in the semis.

Tennis Betting Line:

Polona Hercog +3 -115 +140 21 O -110 U -130
Agnes Szavay -3 -125 -180 21 O -110 U -130

First Set Line: Polona Hercog +110 Agnes Szavay -150

Match Time: 06:00 PM Eastern Time Thursday February 25, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Agnes Szavay enters this match as the market favourite, carrying a price of -180 to win outright. Her price is well set and tennis bettors looking to the Hungarian to victory should have no objection to her market value. Recommending Szavay’s odds on the win is an ok start to the season that includes a recent appearance in the Paris quarters (l. to Melanie Oudin).

Slovenian Polona Hercog is after winning a lower circuit title in Cali (clay) two weeks ago; however, in Bogota last week she failed to build on that moment, falling in the first round to a no name. She has turned things around in Acapulco but it remains to be seen whether she can upset Szavay today and extend her run.

Tennis Free Picks: Szavay in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line:

Venus Williams -6½ -115 -2500 18 O -120 U -120
Laura Pous Tio +6½ -125 +900 18 O -120 U -120

Match Time: 07:30 PM Eastern Time Thursday February 25, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Venus Williams is an untouchable favourite at -2500 to win outright over Laura Pous Tio, listed at large +900 odds. The market cast is completely one-sided. The betting trend should be equally so. I can’t imagine anyone betting against Venus Williams with any confidence; perhaps only risk takers looking to make big returns would but even they would have to accept there is about a 0.01% chance of such a risk paying out. If you can play with such odds without being rattled by a loss, sure bet on Pous Tios. Cooler heads should look at Venus to win outright and cover the spread at -6 ½ -115 and the Under 18 -120.

Tennis Free Picks: Venus in straight sets