There has been a real focus on my part to ensure that only selections that pass a few check boxes are written up, but the Arthur Fils selection in his Quarter Final felt like a wrong decision and is one to put in the learning box.
Jessica Pegula won, but did not cover on the day too, although that selection still feels like it would return as a winner more often than not and so it is not really one that will leave a bad taste in the mouth. In reality even the Picks that feel the best can ultimately lose, but it has been a clear approach to tighten the way the selection process is made.
We are onto ATP Semi Final day on Friday with the Women's and Men's Finals to be played over the weekend with both the headline match of Saturday and Sunday respectively.
Bouncing back from a poor Thursday is the only ambition from the Semi Final matches set to head out onto the court.
Novak Djokovic - 3.5 games v Grigor Dimitrov: Failing to win a match since suffering an injury at the Australian Open had to have raised some concerns for fans of Novak Djokovic.
Reports suggested the former World Number 1 might have also called time on the surprising partnership with Andy Murray that had been announced on the eve of the new season beginning, although that was denied by Novak Djokovic.
With that in mind, it has been an important few days in Miami at the end of March with Novak Djokovic now the favourite to win the Masters event. His performances have been impressive and Djokovic has used the event to remind everyone that he remains one of the top players on the Tour, even if others are perhaps receiving a bit more attention for their tennis.
Novak Djokovic faces fellow veteran Grigor Dimitrov in the Semi Final with the Bulgarian also showing off considerable form at the event. Most importantly is the fact that Dimitrov has looked healthy with a number of mid-match retirements already on the board in 2025, which would have raised some concerns about the Bulgarian and his prospects.
The serve has been an immense weapon for Grigor Dimitrov in Miami, and that has perhaps covered up some of the returning shortcomings. This will be that much tougher to do on Friday in the ATP Semi Final against a return player as effective as Novak Djokovic and that will put Dimitrov under some pressure to get into the return games.
This looks a tough challenge considering the level of serving we have seen from Novak Djokovic throughout this Masters event.
He has also had significantly better returning numbers compared with Grigor Dimitrov, while Novak Djokovic holds the mental edge having won twelve of thirteen previous matches between the players. That record reads a perfect 7-0 on the hard courts and in those matches there has been a huge edge to Novak Djokovic on the serve (88% of games held compared with Grigor Dimitrov's 70% number).
There is no doubting the talent of Grigor Dimitrov and his ability to string points together when at his best, as he has been this week in Miami. However, Novak Djokovic is playing at a higher level and that has proven to be decisive when these players have met on the Tour in the past.
MY PICKS: Novak Djokovic - 3.5 Games @ 1.75 Bet Victor (1 Unit)
Miami Update: 12-9, + 1.24 Units (21 Units Staked, + 5.90% Yield)
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