The two Finals will played at Indian Wells on Sunday and both look like they could be entertaining, although there is no doubt that the one most will be looking forward to is the Masters Final between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.
The Premier Event Final between Jelena Jankovic and Simona Halep should be a decent one, but I think most people at Indian Wells were hoping for the dream situation of Serena Williams returning to the tournament and competing on the final Sunday. Unfortunately Williams had to pull out before the Semi Final, although it is expected that she will take part in the tournament in Miami which will begin later this week.
Both Semi Final picks came in on Saturday, but it still hasn't changed the fact that it has been a poor tournament for the picks, although it is still a very good first three months. The second Masters/Premier Event begins in Miami later this week and hopefully it will be a more productive event for me personally.
Simona Halep - 4.5 games v Jelena Jankovic: This has been a really good tournament for Jelena Jankovic no matter how it ends for her as she has played herself into some sort of form to take into the next two months going into the French Open.
I still feel it might be a little too much for her to see off Simona Halep who benefited from the Serena Williams pull out in the Semi Final as I do think the Romanian will have the edge when it comes to the physicality of the match. Jankovic has had to spend a lot of time on the court and been in a number of very close matches, but winning those matches might have given her the belief that her destiny is to win the tournament.
She will have to come through some tough periods in this match if she is going to come out with the title because Simona Halep has been able to get a grip of matches and has been ruthless in making sure she takes her chances when they come. Both Madison Keys and Belinda Bencic missed their chances to earn double breaks of serve when they had Jankovic on the ropes and I don't expect Halep is going to let her off as they did.
Halep has won the last three matches between the pair, but they have been close in terms of needing to go the distance each time, although Halep has given Jankovic a bagel in each of the last two matches. I believe she is capable of earning a big enough win to cover these games as long as Halep doesn't let the nerves restrict her play.
This might need three sets to separate them again, but I think Halep will win and win one set either 61 or 62 to set the cover.
Roger Federer + 2.5 games v Novak Djokovic: Two of the big rivals on the ATP Tour will contest another big title between them in the Final on Sunday and Roger Federer has spoken of his desire to earn a measure of revenge against Novak Djokovic for the defeat at Indian Wells twelves months ago.
Federer did get the better of Djokovic in Dubai last month, but the conditions in Indian Wells are slower than in this tournament and it is going to be a lot more difficult for Federer to beat the World Number 1.
However, he clearly has a lot of belief in his game to win here after deciding to skip the event in Miami and I do think it will be incredibly close as many of their matches tend to be. Roger Federer has always gotten up for playing Djokovic and I do think he matches up very well against him with the sliced backhand particularly troublesome for the Serb.
The aggressive play from Federer in attacking the net when the opportunity arises has also seen him become very competitive against the best players in the best of three set matches, although physically it has been more difficult to put that game plan into action in Grand Slam best of five set matches.
Federer will have to serve well if he is going to win the title, but he has done that for the most part this week and I do think he will create chances against the Djokovic serve. Does Federer have enough to win the title? I am not sure to be honest, because Djokovic loves Indian Wells and showed in his win over Andy Murray that his eye is well and truly in.
However, I do expect to see this match to go the distance at the very least and there is every chance another final set tie-breaker is on the cards so taking the games might be the most sensible way to back Federer who is certainly capable of upsetting the odds and winning the title.
MY PICKS: Simona Halep - 4.5 Games @ 2.00 William Hill (2 Units)
Roger Federer + 2.5 Games @ 1.92 Bet Fred (2 Units)
Indian Wells Update: 19-22, - 9.24 Units (82 Units Staked, - 11.27% Yield)
No comments:
Post a Comment