US Open Day 8 Picks (September 3rd)

Yesterday was as bad a day as I could have hoped for for the most part as Petra Kvitova was knocked out of the Women's event meaning my first outright choice from the five I made exited the tournament.

Her collapse after winning the first set 6-1 also meant both picks went down the crapper, although still in profit for the week.

However, all the doom and gloom was lifted as John Isner was knocked in the last match of the day and that leaves my pick of David Ferrer to win the Third Quarter of the Men's draw in a good position with his main rival out of the way. However, he has a tough couple of matches in front of him if he is to achieve his goal of making it back to the US Open Semi Finals.

Both the Men's and Women's events are shaping up nicely now as he we head into the final week of the last Grand Slam of the season. I have liked the look of both Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic and wouldn't be surprised if that is the Final we get this time next week, while all eyes are on Serena Williams in the bottom half of the draw.

Today we will get to complete the Women's Quarter Final line up as well as seeing some of the big clashes in the Men's Fourth Round that many would have been waiting for since the draw was made, including Andy Murray v Milos Raonic.


Tomas Berdych win 3-1 in sets v Nicolas Almagro: Anyone who watches tennis on a regular basis will know there isn't much love lost between these two players after their incident in Australia earlier this year.

This will be the fourth meeting between Nicolas Almagro and Tomas Berdych this season and it is the latter that has a 2-1 lead. Berdych has also looked impressive so far during the US Open and clearly has built more confidence from his run to the Final at Winston Salem in the lead up to the event.

He is the better hard court player of the two and he has spent a lot less time on the court than Almagro who has needed at least 4 sets in each of his first three matches and that includes a 5 set match against Philip Petzschner.

However, Almagro has enough belief in his game to think he will win a set in this one, although I expect Berdych to be too strong in the end. This looks worth a small interest.


Roger Federer - 6.5 games v Mardy Fish: Roger Federer has looked so controlled in the first week of the tournament and I am expecting him to make serene progress through to the Quarter Final in this one.

Mardy Fish is a tough opponent, but he is still rediscovering his form after a long lay off ahead of Wimbledon and he has already spent a lot of time on the court so his fitness has to be in question against someone like Federer.

They met a couple of weeks ago in Cincinnati and the 6-3, 7-6 win for Federer doesn't come close to telling the tale of that match as the World Number 1 dominated and had chances to win in much more comfortable fashion.

With the extra time on the court and the longer distance match, I think Federer will prove far too tough for Fish and he should be extra-focused against an opponent he knows can be very tough to play on his day.

I will be looking for a 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 win for Federer and a place in the last eight.


Milos Raonic + 2.5 sets v Andy Murray: The first two picks were going to be my only plays on the day until I saw this pick being offered at ODDS AGAINST by one firm of layers.

Milos Raonic has a huge serve and I think he has the chance of earning the upset considering this match will be played under the lights and that is when the ball seems to be moving that much faster through the court.

Raonic has a huge serve that will put pressure on Andy Murray, even though the latter is one of the best returners of serve on the ATP Tour.

The match is very likely going to see a couple of tie-breakers and there is every chance that Raonic will sneak one of those which will be enough for this pick to be a winner.

I honestly believe Raonic can pull the upset, but will take this at odds against which looks a remarkably bad insight into the match.


MY PICKS: Tomas Berdych win 3-1 in sets @ 4.00 Sporting Bet (1 Unit)
Roger Federer - 6.5 games @ 1.80 Ladbrokes (2 Units)
Milos Raonic + 2.5 sets @ 2.38 Paddy Power (2 Units)

US Open Update: 10-9, + 3.16 Units (34 Units Staked)