in Tennis Free Picks

Following the second round of the Open Gaz de Paris, the head-to-head matchups concluded much to my predictions, with Chakvetadze, Amelie Mauresmo, Justine Hennin and Dinara Safina advancing. The most notable second round matchup was Lucie Safarova’s big upset over Nicole Vaidisova. Needless to say, those of you who bet on Safarova at +325, must be pretty pleased with yourselves!

So how will Safarova, and the others fare in the quarterfinals? Let us take a look at the odds that are already in full swing at BetUS.com.

Svetlana Kuznetsova -170 Lucie Safarova +130

Prediction: Lucie Safarova is fast proving that she is no fluke! Summarily dispatching Amelie Mauresmo in straight sets 6-4, 6-3 at the 2007 Australian Open, Safarova replicated her performance in the second round of the Open Gaz de France by sending No. 9 Nicole Vaidisova home in a straight set win 6-4, 6-2.

If you are thinking that this was a stroke of luck, it was not! Lucie Safarova has the look and the game of a top player, so don’t be fooled by her +130 price tag on this line. While she is the underdog against No. 5 ranked Svetlana Kuznetsova, Safarova has proven that she has what it takes to upset Top 20 players. As such, her +130 price tag is a sweet deal that merits some thought. If you believe that she can once again script a victory against all the odds, then betting on her has value. For those of you who want to stick to the likely outcome that the line would indicate then go ahead and put your bet on Kuznetsova. However, if you have the tennis balls to cash in on Safarova’s underdog status then put your $100 on this lady for she is sure to more than double your money with a victory.

Pick: Safarova in three close sets.

Result: Lucie Safarova def. Svetlana Kuznetsova (3), 6-3, 6-4

Anna Chakvetadze +235 Amelie Mauresmo -375

Prediction: Unlike Lucie Safarova, Anna Chakvetadze is not a reliable underdog. On the other hand, she has had an excellent start to her 2007 season, winning her third career Tour singles title at Hobart and reaching her first major quarterfinal at the 2007 Australian Open. Chakvetadze has a great all round game and her biggest weapon is an incredible forehand shot! However, Chakvetadze has been known to waiver on occasion in her matches, allowing her game to fall apart by failing to convert on key opportunities.

Amelie Mauresmo comes to the 2007 Open Gaz de France as its defending champion and without a doubt, everyone including Mauresmo herself, is anxious to see how well she defends this title. Has she moved past her failure to defend her one career

Grand Slam title – the Australian Open?

While Amelie Mauresmo is decidedly on course to redeeming herself, you can be sure that Chakvetadze along with the rest of us witnessed her unceremonious loss to Safarova in Melbourne. Therefore, Amelie Mauresmo must be feeling far from invincible at this point. However, with home court advantage, Amelie Mauresmo should be able to fend off Chakvetdaze. Mauresmo holds a 1-0 record over Chakvetadze, a win that she secured on clay. As long as she does not underestimate her opponent, Mauresmo should come away with a victory here.

Pick: The prudent pick here would be Mauresmo, but a nagging feeling that Chakvetadze has it in her to pull off the upset prevails. Should Chakvetadze get her game together and take her forehand to Mauresmo, it would not be a stretch of the imagination to see her advance.

Result: Amelie Mauresmo (2) def. Anna Chakvetadze (8), 7-6 (7-5), 7-5

Dinara Safina +235 Nadia Petrova -375

Prediction: Any time there are two Russians facing off against each other, the match takes on a whole new dimension. With six Russian ladies in the top 20, and eight all together in the top 30, the competition is fierce as each one vies to gain in the ranks over the other. Add to the mix a temperament and you have one Molotov Cocktail of a match! No. 5 Petrova and No. 12 Safina are no exceptions. Both are great players in their own right, favoring the power tennis game that is increasingly becoming synonymous with women’s tennis.

Nadia Petrova holds a 2-0 advantage against her younger counterpart with one win earned on hardcourt and the other on clay. Clearly, Nadia Petrova is the oddsmaker’s favorite at -375, but as it has always been my contention with Petrova, she is always the risky bet. One never knows if, and when, her tendency at self-defeat will surface. But, knowing her propensity to do so, makes her always a good bet to bet against. Moreover, in this case, with the caliber of her opponent, it is hardly unlikely to assume that Safina could defeat Petrova. Considering their last meeting in 2006 was a close match that went three sets 3-6 6-4 6-3 in favor of Petrova, this time around it could very well go in favor of Safina!

Pick: Safina in three sets!

Result: Nadia Petrova (4) def. Dinara Safina (7), 6-3, 6-2

Justine Henin -450 Tatiana Golovin +275

Prediction: Justine Henin is world-class player and by all indications, she should walk away with a victory here. Although these two played only once before, a close two-set match that Henin took in 7-6(4) 7-5 on clay, Henin should have an easier time of it this time around!

Pick: Henin in two sets.

Result: Justine Henin (1) def. Tatiana Golovin, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3

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

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