in Tennis Free Picks

The San Jose California 2007 Sap Open, formerly known as the Sybase Open and later the Siebel Open, kick-starts on Monday, February 12th. The tournament, with a prize purse of $416,000, attracts some of the top players on the ATP tour. This years draw features Andy Roddick, James Blake, Marat Safin and last years Sap Open winner Andy Murray.

Here is a look at some of the head-to-head odds on the 2007 Sap Open event with BetUS.com.

Andy Roddick -800 Frank Dancevic +425

Prediction: Andy Roddick has been playing some exceptional tennis and, without a doubt, the World No. 4 on the ATP tour should have no problems against World No. 94 Frank Dancevic. Andy Roddick is an outright favorite on this line, and he leads 1-0 in the head-to-head record against Frank Dancevic. While it may seem outrageous to have to bet $800 to win $100, he is decidedly a sure bet.

Pick: No brainer – Andy Roddick.

Robert Kendrick -160 Simon Greul +120

Prediction: No. 82 Robert Kendrick had a breakthrough year in 2006, achieving his highest ATP ranking to date, which consisted of a 31-17 record for the year and one title: the Forest Hills Challenger on clay, where he defeated Mamit. His most memorable match of 2006 was his second round match at Wimbledon against Rafael Nadal. Gaining a two set lead, he had Nadal perplexed before eventually falling in a stunning five set match 6-7, 3-6, 7-6, 7-5, 6-4.

In 2007, Kendrick’s campaign has gotten off to a relatively good start. He arrives to the San Jose SAP Open following a victory in Texas on Saturday, claiming the AT&T Challenger of Dallas. Robert Kendrick has never played Simon Greul. While this matchup could go either way, Kendrick - bolstered by his win and playing to a home crowd in the US - appears to have the slight edge, making him a good bet against the World No. 81 Simon Greul of Germany.

Pick: Robert Kendrick is on a winning streak, I pick him to advance to the second round.

Sam Querrey -175 Paul Goldstein +135

Prediction: No. 92 Sam Querrey made his debut at the San Jose event in 2006 where he lost in three sets against Spadea in the first round. Since then, he has come a long way, jumping more than 600 ranking positions to become the fourth-youngest player in year-end Top 150 ATP rankings. Sam Querrey is one of the US’s hopes for the future and while he still has a long way to go, at this stage of the tournament he is good bet for the win.

This matchup again is a bit of a tossup as neither player holds a clear advantage, particularly as both will be playing to a home crowd. For those of you that put stock on rankings, then the veteran player, No. 73 Paul Goldstein may be the bet with more value should he cash in on his underdog price tag of +135.

Pick: However, I would go with Sam Querrey on this one.

Ivo Karlovic -155 Guillermo Garcia-Lopez +115

Prediction: World No. 103 Croatian Ivo Karlovic is the favorite on this line against World No. 70 Guillermo Garcia-Lopez. However, Lopez leadsthe head-to-head matchup record against Karlovic 1-0, a match that was played on the clay courts of the 2005 Estoril Portugal event. If ranks and stats are an indication, then Lopez is the bet with the best value on this line should he cash in on his underdog status.

Pick: Lopez for the victory.

Results: Ivo Karlovic def. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, 6-3, 7-6 (9-7)

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

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