Nadal Continues Indian Wells title defence against Ancic

Indian Wells, California – Rafael Nadal is set to continue his title defence campaign this afternoon but he takes on a dangerous floater in Mario Ancic. Elsewhere, Guillermo Garcia-Lopez will look to back up his upset win over Marin Cilic when he takes on Thomaz Bellucci.

Tennis Betting Line :

Mario Ancic +5 -105 +700 19½ O -125 U -115
Rafael Nadal -5 -135 -1600 19½ O -125 U -115

First Set Line: Mario Ancic +425 Rafael Nadal -800

Match time: 05:30 PM Eastern Time Monday March 15, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Rafael Nadal enters as the massive -1600 favourite over Mario Ancic, listed at +700. Ancic has been out of circulation for a few years, injuries and illness sidetracked him. However, tennis bettors in the know will remember the Croatian, Ancic as a promising, rising star. In fact, he reached a career-high in the top ten three years ago but then his decline set in and he fell off the radar. That he has enviable organic talent is without question and it is what makes Ancic a bit of a dark horse in Indian Wells. The question is whether he has enough match form and confidence to upset the defending champion. I don’t think so. That is my opinion.

But why I would think so is because Ancic is after a three-setter against Julien Benneteau in the second round –two important things to note here a) he needed three sets to take out Benneteau (and he isn’t a top ten player) and b) he has to be a bit pooped after that match. Moreover, Ancic trails 1-3 lifetime against Nadal and has only ever taken a set off the Spaniard.

Tennis Free Picks – Nadal at -1600 | Nadal at – 5 -135| Over 19 ½ -115

Tennis Betting Line:

Guillermo Garcia Lopez +2 -115 +135 23 O -110 U -130
Thomaz Bellucci -2 -125 -175 23 O -110 U -130

First Set Line: Guillermo Garcia Lopez +125 Thomaz Bellucci -165

Match time: 05:30 PM Eastern Time Monday March 15, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Guillermo Garcia-Lopez shocked Marin Cilic in the second round on Saturday to oust the favoured Croatian and move into the third round. That Garcia-Lopez was simply sensational against Cilic is highlighted by the fact that he held him to love in the second set,7-6 (1), 6-0. Now the question is whether Garcia-Lopez, who had arrived in Indian Wells without a match win on the season, can back-up the win with another against Bellucci.

The bookies are against him doing so, as is psychology. There is a tendency for players to come out flat after touching unimaginable highs that come with big victories. Moreover, Bellucci is considered the better player of the two and he has the added benefit of being well rested after receiving a free pass into the third round on Moya’s withdrawal.

Tennis Free Picks – Bellucci -175 | Over 23 -110| Garcia-Lopez +2 -115