WE are down to the last eight in the Rome Masters but the name of Andy Murray is absent from the quarter-final draw.
The British No.1 suffered a shock three-set defeat at Foro Italico to Richard Gasquet and the Frenchman's reward is a meeting with Spaniard David Ferrer.
World No.6 Ferrer (2-9, Paddy Power) leads Gasquet 6-1 in previous meetings and the world No.22's best price 25-6 with 188BET indicates his bid will end here.
I can't disagree and I fancy Ferrer to see off his opponent in two sets (4-7, Betfred, Paddy Power, Stan James).
World No.3 Rafael Nadal and Tomas Berdych also meet in the last eight and, while I expect the Mallorcan to advance, Czech ace Berdych won't be brushed aside.
Five-time winner Nadal is a best 1-8 with Boylesports, world No.7 Berdych 7-1 at Sportingbet. Best bet here is Nadal in three sets (4-1, William Hill).
Internazionali BNL d'Italia champion Novak Djokovic (1-6 Boylesports), tackles Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France (5-1, 188BET, Bet365, Stan James, BetVictor).
Big-hitting world No.5 Tsonga leads Djokovic 5-4 on head-to-head meetings. Granted one of his wins was by way of walkover, but Tsonga buried Juan Martin del Porto in the last 16 and may just shock Serbia's world No.1.
This match is another sure to be a three-setter (5-2, Skybet, BetVictor).
Swiss Roger Federer completes the quarter-finals against unseeded Italian Andreas Seppi, who shocked Stanislas Wawrinka, and should advance with ease despite the crowd rooting for the home player.
World No.2 Federer is 1-16 with Bet365 and Skybet, Seppi, who has lost all their eight meetings, can be backed at 9-1 with Bet365. I wouldn't advise you do that, however!
Recommendations
Nadal 2-1
(4-1, William Hill)
Tsonga v Djokovic three sets
(5-2, Skybet, BetVictor)
