Indian Wells R16: Berdych and Baghdatis aim for quarters

Indian Wells, California – Tomas Berdych and Marcos Baghdatis aim to book a quarterfinal spot at the BNP Paribas Open when they get their last 16 encounters underway against Viktor Troicki and Tommy Robredo, respectively. Here is a look at their matchups, complete with BetUS tennis betting markets currently available.

Tennis Betting Line:

Viktor Troicki +3½ -110 +200 22½ O -110 U -130
Tomas Berdych -3½ -130 -300 22½ O -110 U -130

First Set Line: Viktor Troicki +150 Tomas Berdych -200

Match time: 06:00 PM Eastern Time Wednesday March 17, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Tomas Berdych enters this match as the -300 favourite to win outright and you have to believe he should win this match after his convincing performances in the early rounds; namely, his clinical destruction of Fernando Verdasco in the third round, 6-0, 6-3. All this makes Berdych a good bet.

What makes him a risky play, something that I always refer to, is his inconsistency. It would not be surprising to see Berdych tank after such a master class performance. He has done it before and it is rather inexplicable. He is the enigma in tennis.

Troicki has value as the +200 underdog and definitely a chance to upset Berdych, especially if the Czech suffers one his mysterious brain cramps.

Having said that I still believe Berdych is the better bet in this match. Both players are one-trick ponies in my opinion but Berdych is the more devastating of the two when he is on.

Tennis Free Picks: Berdych in three sets

Tennis Betting Line:

Marcos Baghdatis -3 -115 -220 22½ O -110 U -130
Tommy Robredo +3 -125 +170 22½ O -110 U -130

First Set Line: Marcos Baghdatis -180 Tommy Robredo +140

Match time: 07:30 PM Eastern Time Wednesday March 17, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Marcos Baghdatis is after the biggest win of his career, beating Federer 5-7, 7-6, 7-6 in the third round. Typically, after such a performance players come out flat the next day. It is the way of highs to be followed by lows immediately afterwards.

That said I still believe Baghdatis is the better play in this match because the quality of his opponent is not up to scratch. Robredo for all his wonderful results and achievements in his career is beatable. Baghdatis is also in my opinion the more complete player on hard courts.

Baghdatis is the -220 favourite, a firm favourite and well priced. Robredo is given consideration with mere underdog odds of +170. Both bets would be reasonable plays and tennis bettors could not be faulted for backing either player.

However, if I were playing with house money I would back Baghdatis on the win at -220 and take Robredo on the spread at + 3 -125 just in case the curse of big wins does actually factor against Baghdatis.

Tennis Free Picks: Baghdatis in straight set