ATP Los Angeles Tennis Free Picks – Tipsarevic vs. Baghdatis

Los Angeles, USA –  Janko Tipsarevic and Marcos Baghdatis combine for an intriguing quarterfinal clash at the Farmers Classic tennis tournament that is underway this week. BetUS bookies have responded in kind with an equally compelling tennis betting market on this clash.

Baghdatis, ever so popular in tennis betting communities worldwide, is tipped the favorite at -170. Who can resist his infectious smile really.

Tipsarevic, a peculiar sort marching on and off court with his tennis bag on wheels (yes wheels, like a carrier on bag!), is listed as the mere +130 underdog. His eccentric manner is somewhat refreshing, at the very least, entertaining.

On a serious note (*chuckles at self), both Baghdatis and Tipsarevic have some serious hard court chops. It is no wonder the bookies have rolled out a tight betting line because really each has as good a chance as the other to advance.

So which will it be?

Here is a breakdown of their clash, complete with BetUS tennis free picks for your consideration.

Tennis Betting Line:

Janko Tipsarevic  +2½  -125   +130   22½  O -110   U -130  
Marcos Baghdatis  -2½  -115   -170    22½  O -110   U -130  

First Set Line: Janko Tipsarevic    +120         Marcos Baghdatis     -160

Match Time: 05:00 PM Eastern Time (02:00 PM Local Time) Friday July 30, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Tipsarevic recently got married but instead of going on a honeymoon (doesn’t seem like he had one) he has been all business, nose to the grind, as he joined the US Open series in Atlanta. Short-lived stint it was though as he fell in the first round to Kevin Anderson.

Choosing to continue his US Open Series adventure in Los Angeles has proved to be a good decision as he has met with some success here. He is through to the quarterfinals , his fifth on the season. Overall, he is 3-1 in quarterfinals this term (13-13 on the season proper including his matches this week).

Tipsarevic is a middleweight at best in the game, hovering in the mid 50’s. When you look at his entire output on the ATP Tour since turning pro, which is actually 120-128, you can see why he is where he is (his tipping point world No.33 in 2008).

Tipsarevic has never beaten Baghdatis. Well, they only met twice in their careers so it is not as discouraging as it sounds. The last meeting is now over three years old.

Still, Tipsarevic will have to accomplish something he hasn’t done before: beat Baghdatis. In that there is some pressure. Over his career, he hasn’t always stepped up to pressure convincingly and I would wager against him doing so here.

Baghdatis, a former top-ten player and an Australian Open finalist, is up to world No. 26. He is on the back of a good season at 26-16 with one title. The last time Baghdatis was in such good form was in 2006 when he reached the Aussie Open final. It has been a long time coming but now that he is seemingly back and up to scratch, I would much rather back him for the win.

Tennis Free Picks: Baghdatis in three sets