WTA Rogers Cup Quarters - Jankovic and Sharapova in action

Toronto, Canada – Only one comeback kid persevered yesterday in the last 16; Maria Sharapova advanced into the quarters with a straight set victory over Vera Zvonareva. Sharapova a -180 favourite held her weight in the market to advance. Kim Clijsters was not so lucky unfortunately, falling to Jelena Jankovic (+105 underdog) in a thrilling three-setter, 6-1, 3-6, 5-7.

Sharapova and Jankovic move into the quarters and assume favourite status in their upcoming clashes. Sharapova gets set to take on Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland at 9:30 P.M. While Jankovic takes on up-and-coming Russian, Alisa Kleybanova at 7:30 P.M.

Tennis Betting Odds:

Jelena Jankovic -4½ -125 -600 20½ O -120 U -120

Alisa Kleybanova +4½ -115 +350 20½ O -120 U -120

Match Time: 07:30 P.M. Eastern Time Friday August 21 2009

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Tennis Betting Verdict: Jelena Jankovic won the title in Cincy last week, beating world No.1 Dinara Safina in the final. Jankovic is gaining momentum after a slow start to the season. She enters this matchup as the favourite at -600 – almost untouchable. She is 35-12 on the season with 2 titles.

Alisa Kleybanova ranks No.36 in the world. She is enjoying a standout tournament and in reaching the quarterfinals she has outdone herself. She benefitted from the dismissal of Safina by Rezai in the second round, an outcome that cleared her path to the quarters; certainly, it made it easier.

Tennis Free Picks: Kleybanova is a power player and Jankovic won’t intimidate her. However, Jankovic is on form and you have to give her the edge. Although, I wouldn’t mind seeing Kleybanova go to the semis. I like her tempting price tag of +350.

Tennis Betting Odds:

Maria Sharapova -3½ -120 -300 21½ O -130 U -110

Agnieska Radwanska +3½ -120 +200 21½ O -130 U -110

Match Time: 09:30 P.M. Eastern Time Friday August 21 2009

Tennis Betting Verdict: Sharapova has proven that she is still a viable competitor in any tournament she enters. Her comeback trail has been largely successful and she is slowly clawing her way back up the rankings. She reaches the Rogers Cup quarters for the first time in her career. She is within a shot of the semis and standing in her way is Agnieszka Radwanska.

Radwanska trails 1-2 against Sharapova – her only victory against the Russian a three set win in the R32 at the 2007 US Open. For all the talent and top 20 pretensions Radwanska has and a relevant head-to-head series, Sharapova has more steel and firepower in her game. She is the better play.

Tennis Free Picks: Sharapova in three sets