in Tennis Articles

Tennis bettors should be pleased to know that this week’s Pacific Life Open, which gets underway today, has many of the worlds best players, including both the No. 1 ranked men’s and women’s players in the world: Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova. Both return to defend their Pacific Life Open titles from March 5-18, 2007 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in California.

The Reigning Champs

Federer and Sharapova lead two star-studded fields at the most-attended non-Grand Slam tennis tournament in the world.

As is always the case with sports betting on tennis – bettors should always look to wager on the best players, particularly early in tournaments, where victory is virtually assured.

Last year Federer had another one of the best years in tennis history, winning twelve titles, including every major except the French Open; four Masters Series crowns, including a third Pacific Life Open title, and the year-end Tennis Masters Cup, all while compiling a final win-loss record of 92-5.

This year, Federer began his 2007 campaign by winning his 10th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.

Sharapova also had a spectacular 2006 season. Beginning with her first Pacific Life Open title, she then won her second major, the US Open and three other Sony Ericsson WTA Tour events.

Sharapova has started 2007 in strong fashion, by reaching the finals of the Australian Open, before falling to a relentless attack from a Serena Williams who was not to be denied.

The Contenders

Blake, who was a finalist at the 2006 Pacific Life Open, enjoyed a tremendous season in ’06, winning five ATP titles and reaching the finals of the Tennis Masters Cup before falling to Federer.

Roddick, currently ranked No. 4 in the world, reached the finals of the US Open in 2006 after hooking up with a new coach, tennis legend Jimmy Connors, and he added a title at the Masters Series event in Cincinnati.

In 2006, Nadal handed Federer four of his five defeats, won his second Grand Slam title at the French Open and won four ATP titles, including two Masters Series victories at Monte Carlo and Rome, thus securing his current No. 2 world ranking.

Hingis returned to action on the Sony Ericsson WTA (SEWTA) Tour this year after a three-year hiatus due to injuries, picking up right where she left off, winning in Rome and Kolkata, India. In doing so, she has climbed to No. 6 in the world rankings. She is also a former Pacific Life Open champion, capturing the title in 1998.

Dementieva, who was a finalist in last year’s Pacific Life Open, added two SEWTA Tour titles last year and reached the quarterfinals of both Wimbledon and the US Open.

Petrova came on strong in 2006 also, winning five championships, while climbing to a career-high ranking of No. 3 in the world.

Rising Stars

As an ATP Masters Series and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour event, each of the top players in the entry system rankings will earn automatic entry into the 96-player Pacific Life Open main draw.

Online sports bettors need to watch out for several rising stars this year. Great Britain’s Andy Murray, Gael Monfils and Richard Gasquet of France, Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus, Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic, Novak Djokovic and Ana Ivanovic of Serbia, Anna Chakvetadze of Russia, Li Na of China, Shahar Peer of Israel and Sania Mirza of India.

The women’s qualifying draw will take place March 5-6 while the men’s qualifying rounds will be held March 7-8 with 48 players in each draw vying for 12 spots in the main draws.

First-round play begins on Wednesday, March 7 for the women and Friday, March 9 for the men.

The women’s final will be held on Super Saturday, March 17, which also will feature men’s semifinal action. The men’s championship will be held Sunday, March 18.

This year’s Pacific Life Open as the tournament will feature Electronic Line Calling, along with a player challenge system.

The system, which was used throughout the US Open Series, the US Open, and the 2007 Australian Open, allows players to challenge line calls, after which an official replay will be projected onto soon-to-be installed in-stadium video boards and simultaneously fed to the television broadcast.

This will allow players, officials, on-site fans and television viewers the opportunity to see the live results of a player challenge.

Again, bettors, when it comes to wagering on tennis, there is no better time than early in the tournament, when the best players in the world rarely lose to an inferior player. Of course, the money line may be a little on the high side, but hey, what do you expect for a sure thing?

Eric Williams is a nationally syndicated sports columnist. To contact Eric, e-mail sportsjunkie66@aol.com.

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