More Bell Challenge Quarterfinal Quick Picks
by Nila Amerova
Quebec City – For sports bettors looking to bet on women’s tennis the WTA Bell Challenge, underway this week, is the last opportunity of the regular season to do so. With only the Sony Ericsson Championships in Doha left this is it for the WTA season in 2008.
The quarterfinal line-up has taken shape in Quebec City and leading the charge is top seed Nadia Petrova who is looking to finish her season on a high. Also through to the final eight is sixth seed Bethanie Mattek of the USA. Both are favoured to negotiate a semis spot tomorrow.
Here is a look at their upcoming quarterfinal matchups, complete with tennis betting lines and free picks.
Tennis Betting Line: Nadia Petrova -900 Melinda Czink +450
Match Time:10:00 AM Eastern Time Friday October 31, 2008
Tennis Betting Analysis: No.11 Nadia Petrova is a veteran player on the tour at 26-years-old and a relatively consistent force in the top 20 for some time now. Petrova had a good start to the season but a mid-year hiccup saw her struggle through events. Her turnaround came in the summer at the start of the grass swing. She pushed to the final in Eastbourne (l. to Radwanska), the quarters at Wimbledon (l. to Dementieva) and the quarters in Los Angeles (l. to Jankovic). In Montreal, she made the R16 and then went on to Cincinnati to clinch the title, beating Nathalie Dechy in the final. The fall swing was just as good for the Russian who reached back-to-back semis in Bali and Tokyo before earning another runner-up finish in Stuttgart.
Tennis Betting Verdict: This is the first time Nadia Petrova meets Melinda Czink in tournament play. The 26-year-old Hungarian should not pose much of a threat though as she weighs in beyond the top 100 and brings a mediocre 34-28 mark on the season.
Tennis Free Picks: Petrova in straight sets
Tennis Betting Line: Bethanie Mattek -190 Melanie Oudin +145
Match Time:10:00 AM Eastern Time Friday October 31, 2008
Tennis Betting Analysis: This all-American affair should be an interesting contest. Bethanie Mattek comes in at No.43 in the world and more experience at this level. The 23-year-old Florida native posted some encouraging results on the main circuit this year, namely reaching the semis in Birmingham and Los Angeles and the R16 at Wimbledon. On the lower circuit, she won a title and finished runner-up twice.
Melanie Oudin is a newcomer at this level but one would not know it to see her results in Quebec thus far. The 17-year-old beat second seed Sybille Bammer in the first round and topped Olga Poutchkova in the second. Her Cinderella run defied the odds twice already can she go one better.Tennis Betting Verdict: Mattek has a 1-0 edge over No.209 Oudin having beaten her in a lower circuit event earlier this year 6-2, 7-6(2). Mattek is coming into good form this season and is hoping to improve her ranking for the next season. The balance tips in her favour.
Tennis Free Picks: Mattek in straight sets
Nila Amerova is a freelance sports writer and regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room
