Hot Tennis Picks: Tsonga and Robredo at the Barclay’s Dubai Tennis Championships

February 22, 2010 by admin
Filed under: Tennis Betting 

Dubai, UAE – Tommy Robredo moved into what would have been Roger Federer’s spot in the draw as the top seed but for withdrawing from the event. Typically, the top seed vantage point in the draw sets up a straightforward matchup for the top favourite and it would have been so for Federer with Julien Benneteau looming as his first round opponent (I know what you are thinking, Benneteau is on a hot streak with a runner-up finish in Marseille last week and he beat Federer in Paris last year, so… But I have one word on the Federer win, Fluke. As for the hot streak: sure kudos to him, but he would have been hard pressed to overcome le Maestro a second time).

Now for Robredo, however, this matchup is not so straightforward. Robredo hasn’t beaten Benneteau since 2003 and that was a win on clay, mind. With Benneteau tearing up the courts, Robredo will have his work cut out for him in topping Benneteau.

Elsewhere, Tsonga is gearing up for a first round encounter against compatriot Michael Llodra, who incidentally is after doubling up in Marseille – winning the singles and doubles titles.

Tennis Betting Line: Tommy Robredo -145 Julien Benneteau +105

First Set Line: Tommy Robredo -135 Julien Benneteau -105

Match Time: 05:00 AM Eastern Time Tuesday February 23, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: In spite of the negative trend that Robredo claims against Benneteau, Robredo is the favourite to win outright, listed at -145 odds. Benneteau meanwhile comes up at mere +105 puppy odds. The market cast is curious considering the form of each player. Robredo has the slight ranking edge over Benneteau but he is having a horrible start to the season with a 2-4 mark. Robredo hasn’t advanced past the second round of any tournament entered this season nor has strung together a winning streak. Benneteau on other hand is hot to trot lately with a big win over Monfils and Tsonga in en route to a runner-up finish in Marseille. He is 10-4 on the season with all the confidence that entails. The only downside for Benneteau is possible jet leg having only just made the flight to Dubai.

Tennis Free Picks: Benneteau in three sets

Tennis Betting Line: Jo Wilfried Tsonga -400 Michael Llodra +250

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First Set Line: Jo Wilfried Tsonga -300 Michael Llodra +200

Match Time: 05:00 AM Eastern Time Tuesday February 23, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Tsonga was showed up by Benneteau on home soil last week, losing a thriller 7-6(11), 5-7, 7-6(3) semi-final clash. Entering the Dubai draw as the fifth seed, Tsonga has to take on the Marseille champion Michael Llodra, who beat Benneteau 6-3, 6-4 in the final. Benneteau obviously had nothing left for that final after taking out both Monfils and Tsonga in three-set marathons. Kudos to Llodra for taking advantage. But before you think Llodra had an easy trip to the final, he didn’t. He took out Baghdatis in the quarters and top seed Soderling in the semis. He earned that title win with interest.

Interestingly, Tsonga had beaten Llodra in last year’s instalment of the Marseille Open 13 finale, 7-5, 7-6(3) to clinch the title. That Llodra reached the Marseille finale for a second consecutive year and this time took the silverware should not be taken lightly. It certainly poses some interesting questions where this matchup is concerned and whether Llodra can beat Tsonga. If you ask me, he certainly can.

Tennis Free Picks: Tsonga has the on paper edge in this matchup so it should come as no surprise he is the favourite to win, listed at -400. Llodra is tipped however slightly longer than I would have expected considering the incredible week he enjoyed in Marseille. At +250, the market suggests he has only an outside shot when I would maintain he has a better shot than that. He only lost to Tsonga the one-time; narrowly, mind. He also has the confidence of the week in Marseille, where he doubled up with both the singles and doubles titles. At least, we should be able to agree Llodra will account well against Tsonga, No?

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