The Men's Masters event in Miami gets underway today and you can see the outright picks I have made from both the Men's and Women's tournaments here
The picks went 1-1 yesterday, which left us in the same position at the start of the day, but hopefully things can get going with these picks today:
Jurgen Melzer v Richard Berankis: There is no doubt in my mind that Jurgen Melzer is on the slide and he will be taking another fall down the Rankings after a disappointing 2012 season. He has recorded fewer wins than the season before, on the Main Tour, in each of the last two years and I think that trend will continue for a player on the wrong side of 30 years old.
However, in saying all that, I think Melzer is worth chancing after picking up a title on the Challenger circuit last week against players of the same kind of calibre as Richard Berankis.
While Berankis has a lot of upside, he hasn't been able to put things together consistently so far in his career and I think he will struggle to get over the finishing line against Melzer today.
Don't be surprised if this one goes the distance, but I think the Austrian will have enough confidence flowing from the win in Dallas and should be able to at least make it through to the Second Round.
Albert Ramos - 3.5 games v Jan Hajek: I know that Jan Hajek has beaten Albert Ramos in both previous matches they have played against one another, but I like the Spaniard to earn a measure of revenge in this one.
Hajek just doesn't compete at the same level as Ramos these days and I think that will prove to be the difference, while I also believe Ramos is the better hard court player. Last season, Ramos reached the Third Round here and I think he will be a little more solid behind serve and that will be the reason why he can pull the win.
I like Ramos' chances of coming away with a 6-4, 6-3 win from this match so will take him to cover.
Marinko Matosevic - 2.5 games v Dudi Sela: It is Dudi Sela that has had to come through the qualifiers so is likely to appreciate the conditions a little more, but I like Marink Matosevic to make it 2-3 in the head to head between these players.
Matosevic looks to have 'got it' on the Main Tour and his Semi Final appearance in Memphis and a run to the Third Round at Indian Wells suggests he will be too good for his Israeli opponent.
My only issue is that Sela can be a real brick wall on the court, forcing opponents to play one more ball and that may make this closer than anticipated. However, I think the Australian has enough big shots in his locker to find a way to come through, possibly with a 7-5, 6-4 scoreline.
Svetlana Kuznetsova - 6.5 games v Lourdes Dominguez-Lino: Svetlana Kuznetsova missed much of last season, but her form to open 2013 certainly suggests she is more than capable of getting back up into the top 10 of the Women's game.
Kuznetsova should be too strong for Lourdes Dominguez-Lino who has won just 11 games in the last 6 sets competed by these players including a 6-2, 6-1 hammering at the Australian Open back in January.
The Russian's recent losses have come against players much higher in the Rankings than Dominguez-Lino and I am anticipating another fairly comfortable win for Kuznetsova in this one.
MY PICKS: Jurgen Melzer @ 1.85 Pinnacle (2 Units)
Albert Ramos - 3.5 Games @ 2.00 Pinnacle (2 Units)
Marinko Matosevic - 2.5 Games @ 1.92 Pinnacle (2 Units)
Svetlana Kuznetsova - 6.5 Games @ 2.05 Pinnacle (2 Units)
Weekly Update: 1-1, + 0 Units (4 Units Staked, + 0% Yield)
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