Posted on January 17 2011 by Caitlin Carver

Australian Open Blockbuster matches – Hewitt takes on Nalbandian and Clijsters and Safina battle

Melbourne, Australia – Leaping off the page is the blockbuster clash between Lleyton Hewitt and David Nalbandian scheduled for the night session at Rod Laver Arena. But before these fierce rivals close the day’s tennis betting card Kim Clijsters and Dinara Safina go head-to-head in a battle of the former World No.1’s.

BetUS Sportsbook is taking action on both these matches so without further ado, here is the lowdown of what should be a standout night at Rod Laver Arena.

Tennis Free Betting Picks:

Dinara Safina +6½ -135 +700 18 O -125 U -115 Kim Clijsters -6½ -105 -1600 18 O -125 U -115

Match Time: 03:05 AM Eastern Time (00:05 AM Pacific Time) ) Tuesday January 18, 2011

Tennis Betting Verdict: It’s a real shame that these former World No.1’s are set to collide in the first round and that for one the tournament will most certainly end. Unfortunately, that is the way of things, though, when a player falls off the radar as Safina has over the last season.

It’s tough to decide between these two because when in top form there is much to like about them. Of course, Clijsters is in top form right now taking a 4-1 mark into their first round encounter and a lofty world No.3 ranking. Well not talk about her Sydney meltdown shall we.

Safina, by contrast, has had a tough time. She’s slipped out of the top ten, down to No.75 and comes to Melbourne on the back of a two-game losing streak. There is little to suggest she is on the verge of scoring a big win.

Predictably, Clijsters is the favourite and the better bet. Might Safina find her top form and hand Clijsters the defeat. It’s hard to imagine. If she does, few would be surprised. After all she was World No.1.

Tennis Free Betting Picks: Clijsters in three sets

Tennis Betting Line:

David Nalbandian -2 -125 -145 40½ O -115 U -125 Lleyton Hewitt +2 -115 +105 40½ O -115 U -125

Match Time: 04:30 AM Eastern Time (00:30 AM Pacific Time) Tuesday January 18, 2011

Tennis Betting Verdict: There is absolutely no love lost between Lleyton Hewitt and David Nalbandian which makes their first round encounter one of the most-anticipated clashes of the night. That and the obvious reason: Hewitt is the home favourite which adds a domestic twist to their affair.

Hewitt is no stranger to highly charged, emotional matches on Rod Laver. He seems to draw them on every trip to Melbourne, this upcoming one being no exception.

Hewitt has the 3-2 head-to-head edge over Nalbandian but he hasn’t beaten him since the 2005 Australian Open. In fact, Nalbandian is on a two-game winning streak over the Aussie and he’ll be looking for his third straight win. They haven’t played since 2009 when they met in the Sydney quarterfinals and played a tough match that Hewitt lost 6-7(3), 5-7.

Nalbandian is coming off a runner-up finish in Sydney (l. to Ferrer) while Hewitt won the exhibition event in Kooyong. The bookies are tipping Nalbandian the favourite at -145 but if Hewitt is anywhere near top form he’s a value bet at +105. Certainly, this market isn’t cornered either way and tennis fans have good reason to back either. For my part, I quite fancy Hewitt. Call me a sentimentalist.

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