It is Semi Final day in Cincinnati as both the Men's and Women's events begin to wind down.
With a little over a week to go until the US Open begins, I was more than a little surprised that there are so many big names in action next week in the final preparation events.
The likes of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Tomas Berdych, Andy Roddick, Petra Kvitova, Caroline Wozniacki and Angelique Kerber are all expected to be in action, and that is not really something we are used to in the week before a Grand Slam event.
I think it says a lot about the players and their belief that they can go deep at Flushing Meadows- don't get me wrong, I am 100% sure some of these will pull out, in particular Kvitova and Kerber, but it is surprising that they had these events on their schedule knowing the US Open was immediately following the tournaments.
Juan Martin Del Potro + 4.5 games v Novak Djokovic: It's a little risky to go against Novak Djokovic considering the form he has displayed over the last two weeks in Toronto and here in Cincinnati, but Juan Martin Del Potro should be able to keep the match relatively close considering how quick the courts have been playing.
Del Potro will also have the additional belief that comes from winning the last two matches against Djokovic, including for the Bronze Medal at the Olympic Games, and I am satisfied that the wrist injury he suffered in the Third Round wasn't as serious as first feared.
You have to believe that Del Potro can hold on to serve a little easier than Marin Cilic did yesterday against Djokovic as the second serve is a lot more effective. His groundstrokes will also feel heavier to the Serb as they seem to quicken through the courts this week.
I'm not sure Del Potro will do enough to get through Djokovic, but he has a chance of stealing a set, and you have to think a tie-break will be in play at some point and so I will take what looks like a lot of games.
Roger Federer - 4.5 games v Stanislas Wawrinka: Roger Federer just missed the cover for me yesterday, but that was much more down to an inspired second set from Mardy Fish and the World Number 1 continues to play at an extremely high level.
Federer will be plenty motivated knowing that a win here will guarantee he goes into Flushing Meadows as the Number 1 seed and he has dominated the head to head against his compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka, winning 12 of the 13 previous matches between the friends.
He has won the last four matches comfortably between the pair and Federer has been in absolute fine form this week.
That isn't to say Wawrinka hasn't as he has beaten the likes of David Ferrer, Kei Nishikori and Milos Raonic for the loss of just the one set. However, Federer will provide a different kind of pressure and will look to attack any second serves that he sees and that can be a problem for Wawrinka who can struggle to get a high percentage of first serves in play.
While it may not have worked yesterday, I still want to stick with Federer in this one and I think he can take this match 6-3, 6-4 this time.
Petra Kvitova - 1.5 games v Angelique Kerber: These two should provide an entertaining Semi Final tonight, but I am sticking with the form displayed by Petra Kvitova in the last two weeks when she has won in Montreal and continued that run here in Cincinnati.
Angelique Kerber had a big win over Serena Williams yesterday and there is the fear that that match could have taken more out of her, especially mentally, than Kvitova who was a straight sets winner.
They have already played two close matches this season, both winning one apiece, but I just feel Kvitova is the stronger player on this surface as her groundies will be able to fly through the court and her form has been brilliant of late and I'll look for her to come through, even if it may take three sets.
MY PICKS: Juan Martin Del Potro + 4.5 games @ 1.80 Ladbrokes (2 Units)
Roger Federer - 4.5 games @ 1.80 Paddy Power (2 Units)
Petra Kvitova - 1.5 games @ 2.00 Paddy Power (2 Units)
Weekly Update: 4-7, - 4.46 Units (21 Units Staked)
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