You people need help. Seriously though, tennis is a parlay players dream if you can avoid getting hit by a huge beer can falling from the sky.
By Nila Amerova
Tennis Betting Line: Rainer Schuettler +425 Richard Gasquet -800
Matches Time: 03:30 AM EST (Thursday, October 4, 2007)
Tennis Prediction : Oddsmakers favorite No.13 Richard Gasquet arrives in Tokyo following his victory in Mumbai. The Kingfisher Airline Open title marks Gasquet's first title of the season, a season now comprised of a 41/18 record. Much is said about Gasquet's game and talent, but as a player, he is not known for heart and grit. Recently he twice withdrew himself from the midst of a tournament – the US Open and the ATP Masters Series in Cincinnati – citing various reasons. Nevertheless, owing to his rank, record and youth, Gasquet, by and large, should be the popular bet.
No.118 Rainer Schuettler should not be discounted. Although ten years Gasquet's senior, Schuettler enjoyed one of his best runs at an International Series event this season - a run to the semifinal round of the Kingfisher Airline Open. To advance into the third round, the veteran Schuettler bested a seeded player in the second round – [15] Frank Dancevic. Can he upset Gasquet in the third round? At +425 underdog odds, it would be no understatement to assume Schuettler is a long shot, but, the odds notwithstanding against Gasquet, it is not entirely out of the question.
Tennis Free Pick: Schuettler for the upset in three sets.
Tennis Betting Line: Fernando Verdasco vs. Thomas Johansson
Matches Time: (Thursday, October 4, 2007)
Tennis Prediction : At the time of writing this piece, the odds were not available for this match up. However, not to be deterred from making a pick, here is a short, but sweet, look at this match up.
Tied at 1 in head-to-heads, this is the first meeting in two years between these two players. No.32 Fernando Verdasco is coming off of a semifinal appearance in Bangkok last week, whereas Thomas Johansson appears in his first tournament since representing Sweden in the Davis Cup Semifinals.
Johansson is a veteran player whose record for the season sits modestly at 24/22. Verdasco holds a 28/24 record for the season. Although Johansson would not be the likeliest choice bet, against Verdasco, who, by and large, is considered to be a rather streaky and inconsistent player, betting on Johansson to orchestrate an upset would seem almost likely. The match is Verdasco's to lose. Should Verdasco, in his typical fashion, misplace his concentration and focus, he will hand the victory over to Johansson.
Tennis Free Pick:Verdasco in straight sets.
