It has been a strange week at this Masters Event, one where the layers seem to be a step ahead of the game for the first time in a while.
That has meant that I haven't really had a lot of picks on a daily basis, instead relying on the three players that I picked in the outright market to do the business.
Yesterday was one of the better days, although Rafael Nadal did his very best to throw away the match with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and I am really hoping that Andy Murray recovers from his stomach complaint as the World Number 2 is there for the taking in my opinion.
I also think yesterday showed how good Novak Djokovic's achievements were last season as Victoria Azarenka lost her first match of the season. It is not a controversial statement to say that the Men's game is deeper than the Woman's so for Novak to go all the way to the French Open Semi Finals before he suffered his first defeat is an even more remarkable achievement.
Azarenka's exit also meant good things for those that follow my blog on a regular basis as Maria Sharapova is the most likely beneficiary of her defeat. Sharapova has a tough match with Caroline Wozniacki to negotiate today (currently leading 4-2 in the first set), but if she can come through that, I would expect her to be a pretty short favourite to win this event.
On another note, Nima Nowrouzi, one of my Twitter followers (@bossNUTS88) attended the event at Crandon Park during the Men's Fourth Round day and clearly had an exceptional time.
The event was run very well (as most of them are in North America) and the difference between watching a match on TV and actually be sitting just metres away was huge. I always recommend anyone who has not been to watch tennis in the flesh, especially when you see the best players in the World. Nima was lucky enough to watch Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and was clearly very impressed with all three players.
The speed of the game is one of the major differences from TV and live, especially when the players start teeing off with their forehands.
If you're lucky enough to live close enough to one of the major events, I would recommend it highly.
David Ferrer + 4.5 games v Novak Djokovic: Novak Djokovic leads the head to head between these two players 8-5 and I do expect the World Number 1 will be too good for David Ferrer tonight, but don't be surprised if it is a lot closer than expected.
3 of the last 4 meetings between the pair have been tight matches and I don't think Djokovic is playing at a ridiculously high level that he is blowing out his opponents.
This has all the makings of a three setter, and I think Ferrer will at least be able to keep it close if he is beaten in straight sets. I am backing Djokovic in the outright market so I do hope he continues on his path to the Final, but I think he may have to go through a bit of hardship to reach that stage if he does.
Agnieska Radwanska - 4.5 games v Marion Bartoli: There is the danger that Agnieska Radwanska will have a let down after a big win over Venus Williams, but surely there is more danger of that happening to Marion Bartoli after she ended Victoria Azarenka's unbeaten start to the season.
Radwanska has been in the better form of the two players this season, winning the event in Dubai, but more telling is her 6-0 head to head record against the Frenchwoman.
Venus Williams is the only player that has got up to 4 games in a set against Radwanska here in Miami, while no player has won more than 5 games overall in her 4 matches here.
Radwanska has also covered this spread the last 5 times she has beaten Bartoli so it looks worth chancing at odds against.
MY PICKS: David Ferrer + 4.5 games @ 1.92 Paddy Power (2 Units)
Agnieska Radwanska - 4.5 games @ 2.10 Paddy Power (2 Units)
Weekly Update: 7-8, - 0.29 Units (26 Units Staked)
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