Aussie Open 3rd Rd Betting: Nadal, Cilic and Gonzalez in action

Melbourne, Australia – Defending champion Rafael Nadal is set to take on Phillip Kohlschreiber for a spot in the last 16. Elsewhere, 2006 Aussie Open runner-up Fernando Gonzalez will battle Evgeny Korolev of Russia and Marin Cilic will take on Swiss No.2 Stanislas Wawrinka for a spot in the last 16. Here is a look at these stellar matchups and the BetUS market released on them.

Tennis Betting Line: Evgeny Korolev +300 Fernando Gonzalez -500

First Set: Evgeny Korolev +225 Fernando Gonzalez -350

Match Time: 08:30 PM Eastern Time Thursday January 21, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: This is a bit of an each-way market with value on both ends. Gonzalez is a solid favourite at -500 to win outright while Evgeny Korolev is a passable underdog at +300. The win ratio for Gonzalez is about 75% while Korolev is given a decent 25% chance.

Gonzalez is a known threat and a quality play and I believe most will side with him in this match. Given the 3-to-1 against odds for Korolev, it is fair to assume the match could go his way also and tennis bettors looking to back him will find him a tempting play. Korolev is after beating Tomas Berdych convincingly so he is being taken a bit more seriously now. There is also the fact that he is only just edged out by Gonzalez in head-to-heads 1-2 against.

Tennis Free Picks: I think this is a match that tennis bettors can find room to play within because it has the potential to go to at least four sets in my opinion. Korolev to win is not as outrageous as you might think and to take the first set at +225 is a good play as well. The betting trend will favour Gonzo at -500 to win outright and if it goes to five sets you have to give the veteran the edge.

Tennis Betting Line: Marin Cilic -140 Stanislas Wawrinka Ev

First Set: Marin Cilic -130 Stanislas Wawrinka -110

Match Time: 12:00 PM Eastern Time Thursday January 21, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Marin Cilic is the favourite bet in this match and he is the bookies fave at -140. The bookies give Wawrinka Even odds, which implies he is capable of winning this match. That is true. However, Wawrinka is a player that flatters to deceive in my opinion and most times, I recommend betting against him. He isn’t a clutch player and he rarely comes through in high stake matches. This would be a high stakes affair and I like Cilic to emerge victorious. I also like Cilic to take the first set.

Tennis Free Picks: In spite of the tight line, I am convinced Cilic is the better play. Of course, Wawrinka can put paid on my prediction easily but I don’t think he will.

Tennis Betting Line: Philipp Kohlschreiber +900 Rafael Nadal -2500

First Set: Philipp Kohlschreiber +500 Rafael Nadal -1000

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Match Time: 03:00 AM Eastern Time Friday January 22, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Rafael Nadal enters his third round match a solid -2500 favourite. Philipp Kohlschreiber is a plausible underdog at +500. The betting trend will most likely side with Nadal in this match. And from what I have seen of Kohlschreiber in Melbourne, he hasn’t convinced me he is ready to beat Nadal. Nadal is the smart play.