Shanghai Redemption in Tennis Betting

Shanghai, China – Sports bettors already know: Djokovic is in; Tsonga is out. However, this fact in Masters Cup contention does not make their clash in the final round robin fixture of the Gold Group any less thrilling. There is an air of redemption about their upcoming matchup that it would be wise not to discount the Frenchman.

Tsonga leads the head-to-head series 2-1, having beaten the Serbian twice since losing to him in the Australian Open final at the start of the season. It follows Djokovic will want to redeem himself in their series; meanwhile, Tsonga, his debut Masters Cup campaign ending against Djokovic on Thursday, will try to seek redemption in Shanghai by avoiding a winless fate.

Tsonga has already been eliminated from the semi-final race after recording back-to-back losses against Davydenko and Juan Martin Del Potro. Sports bettors will be sad to see Tsonga go because with his departure goes one of the most prominent showmen of the event. However, he has one more curtain call in Shanghai and if he lives up to his showman credentials, his final act will determine who takes the last bow tomorrow.

Tennis Betting Line:

Novak Djokovic -3 -130 -225 23 O -120 U -120

Jo Wilfried Tsonga +3 -110 +175 23 O -120 U -120

Match Time 05:00 AM Eastern Time Thursday November 13, 2008

Head-to-Head Analysis: Tsonga leads the series 2-1. He lost their first-ever career meeting in Melbourne 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(2) but won two consecutive matches since – the final in Bangkok 7-6(4), 6-4, and the R16 Paris Masters 6-4, 1-6, 6-3.

Tennis Betting Analysis: Though Djokovic enters this matchup as the odds makers’ favourite, the betting public loves Tsonga. Ever since his Cinderella run under the scorching heat of the Melbourne sun carried him to the Australian Open final, the tennis-betting world developed a crush on this Mohammad Ali lookalike.

Tsonga seemed to fade from whence he came from after the Australian Open but he was in fact struggling with injuries and he could not reproduce the same level of play he brought to Australia. Eventually he was forced to take some time off.

However, fast forward through the season and Tsonga finally came into his own in the fall swing, delivering on the scintillating promise he hinted at during the start of the year. He won his maiden title in Bangkok, beating Djokovic in the final and then went on to pick up the last Masters Series title of the season in Paris.

Tennis betting Verdict: Djokovic is 2-0 in Shanghai, Tsonga is 0-2 and not much is at stake for either player this time around aside for pride. Tsonga did not play poorly in his previous two matches despite losing. There is no pressure on him so I expect he will come out swinging big. The slow surface in Shanghai does not suit his game though as it takes some of the enthusiasm out of his play. This could give Djokovic some edge against Tsonga tomorrow. Djokovic will be looking to carry the momentum into the semis but he will not want to overly exert himself as he has another match at the very least to play in Shanghai.

Tennis Betting Pick: Tsonga in three sets

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