ATP 2012 Indian Wells Tennis Betting Odds and Preview

Djokovic back for defence of California title

djokovic_&_nadal
Djokovic & Nadal - © GEPA pictures

ATP Indian Wells Tennis Betting Info
This is the first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event of the new season (the first of nine) and because of the high points on offer for the world ranking, this curtain raising 1000 event has really attracted a lot of attention. The stars come out for the ATP World Tour Masters1000 events in full force, because these are the highest tiered events behind the Grand Slams themselves. Actually called the BNP Paribas Open, most tennis fans know it simply as Indian Wells, with the event being held out in California. So we can expect a thrilling tournament to come as the season kicks into high gear again, and that means a wealth of tennis betting opportunities across next week, leading up to the final. Will the resurgent Roger Federer have a big say this time around? Will Nadal be able to hit his best form again? Will Andy Murray claim another ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title, or will world number one Novak Djokovic storm the field again?

ATP Indian Wells Tennis Betting Defending Champion
The defending Champion is, and with little surprise, Novak Djokovic. Last season’s final at Indian Wells was a great match, in which Nadal took the look, but Djokovic hit back to take his tenth ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title. His triumph here last season was the second time that he has won in Indian Wells, having won it back in 2008 over Mardy Fish. Perhaps the biggest feature of Novak Djokovic’s run this year at Indian Wells, is the likely semi final clash against World Number Four Andy Murray. Murray became the first man to beat Djokovic this season, as the Scot took down the Serb in the Dubai semi final in straight sets. So Djokovic will probably be out for a bit of revenge out in the desert, and that expected semi final surfaces, it will be the third Djokovic v Murray semi final this year. But for now, Djokovic, the world number one and 2012 Australian Open Grand Slam winner is the favourite in ATP Indian Wells tennis betting, trading ahead of the field at a market best priced of 9/5 with Boylesports. Despite that loss in Dubai, Djokovic is still going to be the man to stop, and his draw, up until the semi finals, looks very comfortable

ATP Indian Wells Tennis Betting Favourite
Novak Djokovic, so the defending Champion is also the favourite. So that proves his current great form and his tournament history, which should be enough to influence your ATP Indian Wells tennis betting, Djokovic holds a 22-4 match record at the event, with two titles.

Other Contenders
Well, Roger Federer, who has rediscovered his winning touch this season with a couple of titles already, will want to prove that he can still win these top title. Federer comfortably beat Andy Murray in the final of Dubai last week and Federer is a three times Indian Wells winner. He won it in straight years from 2005 through 2006 and he holds an impressive 33-8 match record at the event. Is playing very well at the moment, and although he missed out on the Australian Open when he ran into Nadal in the semi finals, he looks ready for real title run here. However, you need to assess Federer’s draw, which is the hardest quarter out of the big four’s. Federer has David Ferrer, Juan Martin del Potro and Milos Raonic all in his quarter. But should he prevail, Rafael Nadal will likely be Federer’s semi final opponent in ATP Indian Wells tennis betting. So we have that treat to look forward too as well, Nadal has been quiet this season so far, with only appearances at Doha and the Australian Open. Nadal lost the Australian Open final to Djokovic in that epic match, but he pushed the world number one all the way, which suggest the Spaniard is getting back close to his best. He should be well rested for a good run in California next week, and like Djokovic is a two times winner of the event, lifting the Indian Wells crown in 2007 and 2009. Nadal holds a 31-5 match record at Indian Wells. It should be a comfortable run to the semi’s for Nadal, with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga his biggest threat at the quarter final stage. So to Andy Murray. The only one of the big four not to have won Indian Wells, so he has incentive to carry on his good form this season. Murray has gone out in the second round of Indian Wells for the last two years, so he needs to get past that mental block. He has been playing very well though, his service game against Djokovic in Dubai was superb, but it then deserted him in the final completely against Federer. But he should have a lot of confidence from beating Djokovic and his only realistic threats in his quarter is Mardy Fish and John Isner, the world eight and eleven respectively. Murray does seem to be far more consistent this year, and, just like the rest of the big four, will be expected to be putting in a semi final appearance. Murray holds just a 15-6 record at Indian Wells though, his best effort was losing finalist in 2009 to Rafael Nadal.

Outside Bet
Juan Martin del Potro. The big Argentinean would be chomping at the bit to get back at Roger Federer again. Federer has beaten Del Potro in the quarter finals of the Australian Open, the final of Rotterdam and the semi final of Dubai. The only time he hasn’t ran into Federer this season, Del Potro won the title in Marseille. The best of the rest, and although many will be considering Jo-Wifried Tsonga as the outside bet, Del Potro has beaten him twice this season.

Latest ATP Indian Wells Tennis Betting Prices
Novak Djokovic: 9/5 at Boylesports
Rafael Nadal: 4/1 at Bet365
Roger Federer: 4/1 at Bet Victor
Andy Murray: 6/1 at Bet Victor
Juan Martin Del Potro: 14/1 at SkyBet
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga: 33/1 at Boylesports

Online Bookmaker Promotion
Online bookmaker Bet Victor run a great tennis betting promotion which is worth dipping into throughout the 2012 season. Place a match bet on any match from the main draw of an ATP or WTA event, and if your selection loses the match in a final set tie break, then you will get your lost stake back as a free bet. So this gives you some nice coverage on your tennis betting throughout the season, should your match selection lose in a cruel way in a final set tie break. Online bookmaker Bet Victor offer a free £25 bet for new customers registering an account. The bookie will match the value of your first stake on a new account, up to the maximum value of £25, with a free bet.