It was more disappointment for the picks on Day 8 of the Australian Open as things came close to being successful, but once again fell apart as the day developed.
I have to say, Roger Federer and Serena Williams were both in imperious form and you could make a serious case for both to win their respective tournaments. I will be honest- I am still not convinced that Federer will beat Andy Murray and I think he is going to be severely tested by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
On the other hand, Serena Williams looks head and shoulders above the rest of the competition and she is certainly the player to beat... For all of what you hear about Maria Sharapova, the mental edge is with Serena and the ability is with Serena and I think she will be taking the trophy home on Saturday.
David Ferrer - 6.5 games v Nicolas Almagro: I have little doubt that we are going to see David Ferrer in yet another Grand Slam Semi Final now, especially considering he has never lost on the professional Tour against Nicolas Almagro. Further to that, this is the first time Almagro has made the Quarter Final at Slam level outside of the clay court even held at the French Open and that brings another set of pressure on him.
The Spaniards will both know each other very well and I expect it could be close for spells in the match- Almagro has a serve that is capable of providing enough cheap points, but Ferrer definitely has the edge in extended rallies.
Any time we see the rally go to 7 plus shots, I think Ferrer will win the point more often than not and that should be the difference between the players.
Despite thinking it will be close for spells, I do think Almagro is the kind of player that can throw the towel in mentally, especially when he falls behind- Ferrer is someone who fights for every point and it won't be a huge surprise to me if he wins one of the sets with a 6-2 scoreline to ensure the cover.
Agnieszka Radwanska - 2.5 games v Na Li: These two players have played a number of close matches over the last couple of seasons, although there was a period last Summer when Na Li was thumping Agnieszka Radwanska without too many problems.
Both players have been in form with Radwanska still unbeaten in 2013, while Na Li's sole loss this season came against her opponent here in straight sets in Sydney.
You have to take it a little further with Radwanska too as she has won two tournaments without dropping a set and has yet to be really tested at this tournament.
I am expecting breaks of serve and I am expecting this to be tight, but I just feel Radwanska is going to be a little too mentally tough and less erratic with her groundstrokes and that should see her book her place in the Semi Final. I think the scoreline could eventually be 7-5, 6-4 in favour of the Pole when it is all said and done.
MY PICKS: David Ferrer - 6.5 Games @ 2.05 Pinnacle (2 Units)
Agnieszka Radwanska - 2.5 Games @ 1.80 Ladbrokes (2 Units)
Australian Open Update: 13-20, - 8.06 Units (58 Units Staked, - 13.9% Yield)
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