SAP Open - Blockbuster Early Round Betting

San Jose, California –One of the strongest fields in the history of the SAP Open has assembled this year, setting up an exciting week of tennis betting for North American BetUS bettors in their backyard. Andy Roddick is back to defend his title and leads a ten-man strong line-up of Americans in action in San Jose. Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis, Australian Lleyton Hewitt, Japanese star Kei Nishikori and Luxembourg sensation Gilles Muller are just some of the others hoping to impose their weight on the SAP Open marketplace. So let us get started handicapping some of the early round action.

Tennis Betting Line: Kei Nishikori -130 Gilles Muller -110

Match Time: 11:30 P.M. Eastern Time Monday 9 February, 2009

Tennis Betting Analysis: This is one of the most anticipated first-round matchups on offer at BetUS Sportsbook. Kei Nishikori is an up-and-coming player that everyone is talking about in the world of tennis. Gilles Muller of Luxembourg is a player whose career saw a second coming last season at the US Open and has been going strong since then. Given the buzz that surrounds both players, it is not surprising to see such a tight line for their matchup although I am surprised to see Nishikori slightly favoured over Muller. True, Nishikori ranks above Muller at No.56 compared to the others No.79 rank but he has been sidelined this first month of the season with a wrist injury. Meanwhile, Muller had a decent turnout in Melbourne reaching the R32, wherein he lost to Juan Martin Del Potro in a four-set thriller 7-6(5), 5-7, 3-6, 5-7.

Tennis Betting Verdict: Theoretically, this match could go either way. If Nishikori is in full health and good form, he will be tough to beat. It goes for Muller. Muller is riding a bit of a wave that started in Flushing Meadows and as he has a lot of confidence right now, he is my pick to win.

Tennis Free Picks: Muller in three sets

Tennis Betting Line: Sam Querrey EV Marcos Baghdatis -140

Match Time: 12:45 P.M. Eastern Time Tuesday 9 February, 2009

Tennis Betting Analysis: This is another exciting matchup –more fitting for a quarterfinal or some other late round of a tournament. Alas, sixth seed Sam Querrey will have to face this test in his opening match of the tournament. Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis is enjoying a renaissance this season after an awful slump in 2008 that saw him swoon in the ranks. Currently, weighing in at No.82, Baghdatis lifted his ranking from No. 96 (at the start of the season) on the back of some good results. He reached the R16 at the Australian Open and last week was a quarterfinalist in Johannesburg. He brings a 5-3 mark for the year. By contrast, No.34 had only one good tournament in Auckland where he was a finalist. In his two other tournaments, he was a first round casualty (Brisbane and Australian Open).

Tennis Betting Verdict: Querrey‘s two first round exits are concerning. The question is whether he can break the duck on home turf, where he will have a clear edge over the Cypriot. In terms of Baghdatis, aside from the disadvantage of having the crowd largely against him, he has the added disadvantage of having just flown in from Johannesburg so jet lag could be a factor against him. That all said, I like Baghdatis in this match, so do the bookies.