US Open Day 10 Picks

Unfortunately it looks like it is going to be a frustrating time for us tennis backers over the next week. Day 9 was cancelled as a whole as the rain showed no signs of abating, and the forecast for the rest of the week does not exactly bode well for the tournament.

I am almost sure the Men's Final will have to be played on a Monday for the 4th year in succession- for the first time in a long time, the US Open is going to be left behind by the other Grand Slams.

This has always been my favourite Grand Slam, but the decision to not create Arthur Ashe Stadium with a roof looks to be a terrible one considering the last few years rain.

Australian and London both have roofs for their main court, while Paris is due to have completed work on a roof by 2014, meaning New York will be the only Grand Slam without the benefit of playing regardless of the weather.

Things are not exactly helped with the decision NOT to put down 'ugly' covers over the courts which could speed up the chances of getting things going quicker than it takes right now.

The forecast for today suggests play will not start on time and the players are likely to be going on and off court for most of the day- the organisers will be desperate for the 4 remaining Men's 4th Round matches to be completed today and also hope at least 2 of the Women's Quarter Finals can be played.

The schedule also looks to be favouring Novak Djokovic, in my opinion, as he is due on 2nd on Arthur Ashe, and there is a good chance he could have booked a Semi Final spot while his rivals wait on their Quarter Final clashes.

Day 10 Picks:

Novak Djokovic - 8.5 games vs Janko Tipsarevic: If this match had occurred earlier in the tournament, I think Tipsarevic could have caused plenty of problems, but he looked to be running out of gas a little in his win over Juan Carlos Ferrero in the last Round.

Tipsarevic is a player capable of pushing the very best players, but there may be a slight lack of belief mentally as he plays his compatriot knowing everything Djokovic has done this year.

I imagine the first set could be close, but I think Djokovic will end up breaking any belief Tipsarevic has by winning that set and then running away with the match.

The World Number 1 will want to get his match completed as quickly as possible so he has additional rest on some of his rivals and I expect he will come through 7-5, 6-3, 6-2.


Roger Federer to win 3-1 in sets vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga: I still have the belief that Roger Federer is capable of winning a Grand Slam, and this match could be the key to his success this year.

Everyone knows that Tsonga is capable of beating Federer, as he has proven in his last 2 meetings including that fabulous come from behind win at Wimbledon at this very stage.

We have also seen Federer beaten by the bigger hitting players on the tour over the last 18 months, with players like Robin Soderling, Tsonga and Tomas Berdych all recording wins over the former World Number 1.

However, I also know Federer had beaten Tsonga twice this season before the loss at Wimbledon, and that was actually due to a special performance from the Frenchman.

I think Tsonga is still more than capable of hitting through Federer to take a set, but he looked a little out of sorts against Mardy Fish in the last Round and looked certain to exit the tournament before a mental lapse from the American allowed him back in.

The potential for rain delays during their match may also favour Federer as Tsonga could be cooled off by breaks in play.

I feel a Federer win coming, 6-3, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4.


Serena Williams - 6.5 games vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova: Serena Williams did not play that well against Ana Ivanovic in the last Round, but was still far too good in a routine win. She admitted she didn't play her best and I expect her to come out firing in this one.

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova has proven in the past she can hang with Williams, although that came on a clay court, and I think this match will be very difficult for her. Williams has the better serve, is quicker and has better variation in her shots off the ground.

I expect that to bamboozle the Russian more often than not, and I think Serena will come through 6-3, 6-2.


MY PICKS: Andy Murray - 8.5 games (from Day 9)
John Isner (from Day 9)
David Ferrer to win 3-1 (from Day 9)
Sam Stosur (from Day 9)
Novak Djokovic - 8.5 games @ 1.91 Paddy Power (2 Units)
Roger Federer to win 3-1 in sets @ 4.00 Sporting Bet (1 Unit)
Serena Williams - 6.5 games @ 2.00 Sky Bet (2 Units)




US OPEN UPDATE: 22-14, + 20.83 Units