RODDICK AND CILIC TO BATTLE FOR A SPOT IN THE AUSSIE OPEN SEMIS

Andy Roddick and Marin Cilic are set to battle for a spot in the Aussie Open semis when they collide on Rod Laver Arena in the quarterfinals, in the first of two marquee matchups on the tennis betting menu at today. The American, Roddick enters as the 4/7 favourite while the Croatian, Cilic is a mere 5/4 puppy.
A win for A-Rod would see him through to his second consecutive semi-final in Melbourne (fourth overall), while a win for Cilic would mark a career breakthrough on the major stage, his first-ever grand slam semi-final.
Obviously, two distinct and converse realities are set to converge on Rod Laver Arena. Roddick, 27, is the seasoned (maybe even hardened), veteran who can’t seem to capture that elusive second major title since winning the US Open in 2003; Cilic, 21, is the exuberant young gun, still learning how to deal with his meteoric rise to fame and wrestling with the “potential grand slam champion” expectations he has been saddled with recently.
Heck, couldn’t he not quite believe it himself when he dumped the 2009 US Open champion, Juan Martin Del Potro in a dramatic five-set epic – never mind shaking up the tennis betting market on the Aussie Open by doing so and leaving quite a few tennis bettors agog.
Cilic punching above his weight class against Del Potro notwithstanding, in my mind, smart money will be on Andy Roddick to win this clash. For two reasons: experience and experience. More specifically, experience in the latter stages of a major and experience on the big stage. Roddick has both in abundance.
Tennis bettors looking to back Roddick for the outright win can also find Roddick favourably listed 11/4 to win in straight sets or to win in four sets (3-1 to the better). Because many expect Cilic will give a good accounting, the 3-1 to Roddick seems to be the popular bet. Roddick is listed at 9/2 to win in five should Cilic punch above his weight class and try to force the issue.
Cilic has only been once to a major quarterfinal – at the 2009 US Open where he lost to, ironically, Juan Martin Del Potro (incidentally, after beating Andy Murray in the last 16) – and he has yet to see inside of Rod Laver Arena. He isn’t a big enough name just yet to warrant a court date on Centre Court on his merit alone.
The biggest win of his career against Del Potro came on Hisense Arena; had they played on Rod Laver would the outcome have been the same. Who is to say it wouldn’t have been so. Still, whichever way you slice it, it raises the question whether he can mastermind a big win, against a big competitor on a big stage. The point is Cilic beating Roddick, in three, four or five sets, would mark a second upset in a row for the Croatian and another upset in the 2010 Aussie Open outright market.
Tennis bettors looking to back Cilic at the tempting odds of 5/4 can turn to the set betting market for added value. I don’t believe there is a case for Cilic to win in straight sets, listed at 7/1. It would be an outrageous and unthinkable result in my opinion. Don't see it coming. If Cilic is your man, to win in four sets is a decidedly more realistic outcome and carries a 9/2 price as does Cilic in five sets. However, if it goes to five you have to give the edge to Roddick, in my humble opinion, mind.