in Tennis Free Picks

In the bottom half of the ATP RMK Men’s Singles Draw, Sam Querrey, Mardy Fish and Amer Delic, among others, are ready to try their chance at the title. With No. 5 seed Xavier Malisse already out of the tournament after retiring from his match against Teimuraz Gabashvili with a wrist injury, the highest seed left in the bottom half of the draw is No. 2 seed Tommy Haas.

With the bottom half wide open for the taking lets take a look at the following head-to-head matchups:

Bottom Half of the Draw:

Alex Kuznetsov +120 Kevin Kim -160 
Prediction: With neither player ranked in the top 100, this matchup could go either way. Kim could have had a better run at the SAP Open, but he came up against Andy Murray in the first round. However, favored on this line and coming up against a lesser opponent in Kuznetsov, compared to Murray, he may fare better in the first round. Kuznetsov, on the other hand, might prove to be a surprise contender.

Pick: Going against the odds on this one, Kuznetsov in two sets.

Juan Martin Del Potro -170 Feliciano Lopez +130 
Predictions: No. 69 Juan Martin Del Potro and No. 93 Feliciano Lopez both consider hardcourt surface to be their best surface. Having never played each other, this match is a bit of a tossup. While the odds favor Del Potro, Lopez holds the edge with his serve. Then again, Del Potro has a good return game. Tough to call, but considering there has to be a winner, I pick Lopez to serve up the win.

Pick: Lopez in three sets

Prediction: Following a good run at the SAP Open, where Mardy Fish made it to the quarterfinals, he should have no problems in the first round against Bjorn Phau. Moreover, considering the luck of his draw, he should be looking to bank on the wide-open playing field and possibly arrive at the semifinals or even the finals of this event.

Pick: Fish in straight sets.

Julien Benneteau -105 Hyung-Taik Lee -135 
Prediction: Crossing the Atlantic following his appearance at the Open 13 in Marseille where he made it the quarterfinals, Benneteau is looking to try his luck in Memphis. Coming up against Lee in the first round, he is the slight dog. Lee also had an impressive run last week at the SAP making it to the semifinals. Closely matched up, either one could come away with the victory.

Pick: Benneteau in a close match

Vincent Spadea +225 Tommy Haas -350 
Prediction: No. 2 seed Tommy Haas is favored in this matchup against Vincent Spadea. With a head-to-head record of 7-2 Tommy Haas should make it 8-2 easily.

Pick: Haas in straight sets.

Paul Goldstein -135 Amer Delic -105 
Prediction: No. 89 Amer Delic arrives as the underdog in this matchup against No. 74 Paul Goldstein. Considering these two have never played against each other, this is another match that could go either way in the first round. Despite the odds against him, I pick Delic to upset the favorite.

Pick: Delic in straight sets

Ivo Karlovic -155 Sam Querrey +115 
Prediction: No. 92 Sam Querrey advanced to the second round at the SAP Open, falling to the eventual finalist, Andy Roddick. Considering he falls in a better draw at this event, he should not bow again this early in the tournament. Not entirely a stretch of the imagination to see Querrey advance.

Of course, No. 70 Ivo Karlovic will be a tough opponent to beat. Following his impressive run all the way to the semi-final at the SAP Open last week, Karlovic will be ready to take a stab at it again in Memphis. Finding himself in the better half of the draw, Karlovic could go all the way this time.

Pick: Karlovic in two sets.

Federer might be winning everything these days, but with online sports betting in the to earn cold, hard cash!

Nila Amerova is a freelance sports writer and regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room.