WTA Monterrey Quarters: Daniela Hantuchova vs. Vania King

Monterrey, Mexico – Slovak Daniela Hantuchova, the No.2 seed, is the highest seed still alive in the tournament, and with the dismissal of top seed Jelena Jankovic she is the de facto, short-odds-on favourite for the title.

Hantuchova reaches the quarters in relative ease. She took out qualifier Lourdes Dominguez Lino in the first round, staving off a late surge by the Spaniard 6-3, 7-6(6). She cruised against Kaia Kanepi 6-1, 6-3. Over all, she has been in good form in Monterrey.

Standing in her way of a semi-final spot is American Vania King. King battled Sandra Zahlavova for a spot in the second round, needing three sets to take out the ambitious Czech 4-6, 7-5, 6-3. She followed up with a solid performance against Julie Coin, taking out the Frenchwoman who had earlier ousted tournament favourite Lucie Safarova, in straight sets 6-3, 6-3.

Tennis Betting Line: Daniela Hantuchova vs. Vania King

Match Time: 06:00 PM Eastern Time Friday March 5, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: The market on this match is still not available but should be soon enough. The absence of a market though doesn’t mean we can’t discuss this matchup.

Hantuchova should enter this match as the solid favourite over Vania King. The statuesque Slovak, Hantuchova has a 2-0 lifetime edge over King, having beaten her at the 2008 Aussie Open R 128 6-3, 7-5 and the 2009 US Open, 6-2, 6-2. That Hantuchova has yet to lose a match, let alone a set to King, sets her up very well for their third career encounter.

Adding weight to Hantuchova’s odds (whatever they may be) is a ranking and form edge over King. Hantuchova, weighing in at No.24, is 10-4 on the season. Her highlights include: quarters at Brisbane, a third round at the Aussie Open and a R16 at Dubai. She also represented Slovakia in FED Cup action successfully, winning her rubber over Shuai Zhang of China 6-0, 6-1.

Vania King is an up-and-down sort of player and a lightweight in the game. Her tipping point came in 2006 when she reached a career high ranking of No.50. On the big stage, King’s best performance was a third round appearance at the US Open; she lost, ironically, to Daniela Hantuchova.

King arrived in Monterrey 3-5 on the season. In reaching the quarters she improves to 5-5. To continue her run and improve her score on the season, she would have to accomplish something she has failed to do twice before: beat Hantuchova. And because she wasn’t even competitive in their two previous encounters, it is a tall task for her.

Tennis Free Picks: Hantuchova in straight sets