Indian Wells R16 Tennis Betting: Roddick and Tsonga in action

Indian Wells, California – Fan favourites, Andy Roddick and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga are gearing up for some big-serving tennis today at the BNP Paribas Open.

They will definitely need to be on top of their games, especially in the serving department, because they each have tough competitors to stare down in Jurgen Melzer and Robin Soderling.

Neither of these two, Melzer and Soderling, is a slouch, each having a conceivable chance to advance into the quarterfinals. Actually, in the Tsonga vs. Soderling match, Soderling is the market favourite to advance so a win by Tsonga would be a mini-upset according to the market. Where the public is concerned, it would be the popular outcome. Much love for the big-man J.W.

Tennis Betting Line:

Jo Wilfried Tsonga +1½ -115 +115 23½ O -120 U -120
Robin Soderling -1½ -125 -155 23½ O -120 U -120

First Set Line: Jo Wilfried Tsonga +105 Robin Soderling -145

Match time: 06:30 PM Eastern Time Wednesday March 17, 2010

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Tennis Betting Verdict: Tsonga takes a losing 0-2 mark against Soderling into their match and the underdog price tag. Bookies are offering Tsonga at +115 odds to win outright. He is only merely disadvantaged and that is a function of the negative head-to-head as well as the slight disadvantage in ranking.

That said Tsonga is my pick to beat Soderling and advance into the quarterfinals. Tsonga for me has been more impressive than Soderling this season, and more importantly, he is the better player of the two. Tsonga has more weapons and he is the more complete package.

He just has to figure out a way to be consistent so that his ranking truly reflects his potential.

Tennis Free Picks: Tsonga in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line:

Jurgen Melzer +4 -135 +325 22 O -135 U -105
Andy Roddick -4 -105 -550 22 O -135 U -105

First Set Line: Jurgen Melzer +225 Andy Roddick -350

Match time: 10:30 PM Eastern Time Wednesday March 17, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Home favourite, Andy Roddick takes a 9-0 edge against Melzer into their last 16 encounter, an edge that makes him a considerable favourite to improve to 10-0 tonight. However, there is a nervous trepidation in the market regarding this encounter.

Melzer has been on form since the start of the season and playing better than many have seen him since arguably his junior days when he was touted a promising talent. Moreover, there seems to be an upset epidemic at the BNP Paribas Open. Roddick will have to be mindful of both and not take his convincing mark for granted.

At -550, he is a good play to advance and I would recommend backing him for the win. Where Melzer offers obvious value in my opinion is on the spread at +4 -135. He can make this an interesting contest and a tough battle. As such, the Over 22 -135 would also fall in line.

The actual upset, beating Roddick, which is trading at +325, is not exactly a hallucinatory bet but I think it will be tough to do on home soil.

Tennis Free Picks: Roddick in three sets