in Tennis Free Picks

With the first round of the top half of the draw wrapped up in Memphis Tennessee, Andy Murray survived a scare against Frank Dancevic, finally advancing to the second round of the ATP RMK Championships in a tough three-set match 6-3, 4-6, 6-4. Andy Roddick, on the other hand, breezed by Thomas Johansson in the first set 6-2, but struggled to close the match in the second set, finally taking it at 7-5. While Benjamin Becker ousted Robert Kendrick in three sets 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.

With the majority of the tournament entering into the second round on Thursday, February 22, Stefan Koubek’s victory over Evgeny Korolev yesterday has determined at least one quarterfinal spot in the top half of the draw. With three more quarterfinalists yet to be determined, let’s take a look at the  that are shaping up with BetUS.com.

 
Prediction: This matchup is perhaps the most even out of the second round matches in the top half of the draw. While Jurgen Melzer is seeded sixth at this tournament and 31st in ATP ranks, save for rank he has no decided advantage over World No. 90 Yen-Hsun Lu. This matchup could go the way of either player, and aside from Melzer being a left-handed player, which at times can be difficult for some to play against, it would not be a stretch of the imagination to anticipate Lu to advance.

Pick: Melzer in two close sets.
Result: Yen-Hsun Lu def. Jurgen Melzer (6), 7-6 (7-2), 1-1 retired

Prediction: The last time these two met was at the 2006 US Open where Andy Roddick defeated Benjamin Becker in three sets 6-3 6-4 6-3. Scarcely a breezy victory for the World No. 4 and No. 1 seed at the ATP RMK Tournament. With only one meeting between the two, the stats do not determine a clear advantage for Roddick.

Benjamin Becker is an uncanny tennis player, and not averse to orchestrating upsets. At the US Open in 2006, he unceremoniously defeated Andrei Agassi and, most recently, he ousted Marat Safin from the SAP Open. For the sports betting enthusiast, Benjamin Becker holds great value as he has on occasion cashed in on his underdog status. At the very least, his price tag alone against Andy Roddick deserves even the slightest of bets.

While Andy is most likely the sure-bet on this line, in the event of an upset it would not be outrageous to cover both ends with a bet on Benjamin Becker.

Pick: A propensity for upsets demands Benjamin Becker as the pick in three sets.

Prediction: Following his successful defense of the SAP Open title, Andy Murray’s scare in the first round of the ATP RMK must have jolted him out of his revelry. Accordingly, a more focused Andy Murray is expected in the second round against World No. 86 Kristian Pless. Leading 1-0 in their head-to-heads, owing to a victory last week at the 2007 SAP Open in San Jose, California, Murray should advance smoothly into the quarterfinals.

Pick: Andy Murray in straight sets.

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

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