Tennis Betting Picks - ATP Open De Mosel First Round Underdogs

Metz, France – Betting on the ATP Open de Mosel offers a little bit of everything – from established favourites to potential upset makers and dangerous floaters. The even playing field in attendance could make for a harder handicapping exercise. Nonetheless, the action should be sensational from the start, the blockbuster matchups appearing as first-round showdowns. Here is a look at some of the first round action scheduled for Wednesday October 1, 2008 complete with tennis betting verdicts and picks.

Tennis Betting Line: Michael Llodra -150 Feliciano Lopez +110

Match Time: 05:00 AM Eastern Time, Wednesday October 1, 2008

Tennis Betting Analysis: No.37 Feliciano Lopez of Spain has struggled this season and enters this tournament with many question marks. Earlier this year, Lopez pushed to the final in Dubai (hard court) where he lost to Andy Roddick and in the summer, he reached the quarters at Wimbledon. Aside from the two inspired performances, Lopez has not had a good season. He brings a 16-21 mark.

No.36 Michael Llodra, by contrast, has had a slightly better season with a 22-17 mark, which includes (more importantly) two ATP titles. He lifted titles in Adelaide (outdoor hard court) and Rotterdam (Indoor hard court). Llodra has home court edge. He features in a favourable section of the draw and has a fine chance of making a deep run.

Tennis Betting Verdict: In some respects, the two are evenly matched: they rank back-to-back, are lefties, and enjoy indoor hard court events. Llodra has had the better year though so in terms of confidence he should have it. Lopez, on the other hand, has misplaced his confidence. Unless he finds it somewhere in the interim before the match begins the talented Lopez will crash from yet another tournament disappointingly early.

Tennis Free Picks: Llodra in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: Julien Benneteau +200 Radek Stepanek -300

Match Time: 05:00 AM Eastern Time, Wednesday October 1, 2008

Tennis Betting Analysis: No.29 Radek Stepanek brings a 27-16 mark for the season to Metz. His highlights this season include beating Roger Federer at the ATP Masters Series in Rome and finishing runner-up in San Jose (indoor Hard Court). This is his first tournament since reaching the R32 of the US Open.

Frenchman Julien Benneteau has an outside chance in this match. He will have the crowd pulling for him tomorrow but is that enough to inspire Benneteau to victory? Benneteau is in a slump. He is on 6-match losing streak since he was ousted in the first round of Wimbledon. Lifetime, he is tied 1-1 with Stepanek but the last time they met was in 2006 at Roland Garros when Benneteau beat him for the first time in his career. Given the fact that Benneteau has not won a match in over three months it would be hard to expect him to do so suddenly.

Tennis Betting Verdict: There is a chance of an upset here. Benneteau enjoyed an inspired run at Roland Garros this season when he reached the R16, thanks largely to a hugely supportive Parisian crowd. Should they rally behind him in Metz tomorrow (as I am sure they will) they just might carry Benneteau to victory.

Tennis Free Picks: Benneteau in three sets

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