Toray Pan Pacific Open Second Round Tennis Free Picks

Tokyo, Japan – The second round of the US Open. While Jankovic, Dementieva and Safina enjoyed a great tournament in Flushing Meadows,

Ana Ivanovic (recently deposed from the World No.1 ranking to No.3) did not. Given that Ivanovic has been struggling lately of the top four seeds she is the most vulnerable but also the player with the most to prove. (Last year she finished runner-up in Tokyo, losing to Martina Hingis in straight sets).

So with so much wagering on tennis.

Tennis Betting Line: Jelena Jankovic -450 Flavia Pennetta +275

Match Time: 10:00PM Eastern Time, Wednesday September 17, 2008

Tennis Betting Verdict: Since finishing runner-up at the US Open (l. to Serena Williams) Jankovic returns to tournament play. She arrives in Tokyo on the heels of another impressive season. She brings a 50-15 mark and 1 WTA title. The ever-consistent Jankovic enters the tournament as one of the favourites for the crown. Should she win the title in Tokyo she could shake up the WTA rankings and take over the World No.1 spot from Serena Williams. So she has added incentive.

In fact, she will have to get off to a good start here if she hopes to accomplish the double sweep (the title and the top ranking) as her opening match is against another in form player. No. 16 Flavia Pennetta is no pushover. She won two titles earlier this year and tallied a 41-19 mark for the season, which includes a personal best quarterfinal appearance at the US Open. If there were a player to upset Jankovic, it would be Pennetta. Although Pennetta trails 0-3 lifetime against Jankovic, buoyed by her US Open outing, should she string together a perfect game and she could upset Jankovic. Although betting on the upset is not a sure thing I like Pennetta’s odds to accomplish the act.

Tennis Free Picks: Pennetta in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: Elena Dementieva -400 Alize Cornet +250

Match Time: 10:00PM Eastern Time, Wednesday September 17, 2008

Tennis Betting Verdict: Russian Elena Dementieva has had a standout year. Winning the gold medal in Beijing was the most satisfying victory in her career. She also won the title in Dubai earlier this year. She has amassed a 45-12 mark for the season. She opens her campaign in Tokyo against one of the hottest up-and-comers on the women’s circuit. Alize Cornet (18 years old) of France won her maiden title this year and posted a 33-18 mark. She is a huge talent and could be a tricky opponent for the Russian. For now though, I like Dementieva to go through to the next round.

Tennis Free Picks: Dementieva in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: Agnieszka Radwanska -200 Marion Bartoli +150

Match Time: 10:00PM Eastern Time, Wednesday September 17, 2008

Tennis Betting Verdict: Polish teenager Agnieszka Radwanska is just another young talent on the women’s circuit that we are sure to see a lot of in the future. Ranked in the top 10, the 19-year-old has had a great year, picking up three titles and posting a 47-15 mark. She owns a 2-0 record against Bartoli, having beaten her most recently in Eastbourne.