ON WEDNESDAY the remaining French Open men's quarter-finals take place at Roland Garros and expectations are sure to be high after Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer thrilled the crowds on Tuesday.
World No.2 Rafael Nadal remains on course for a record seventh title and I won't be changing my forecast that the Mallorcan will be crowned champion again on Sunday.
Next in his way is his fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro while later in the day our very own Andy Murray tackles the third Spaniard in the quarters, David Ferrer.
Rafael Nadal (No.2 seed) v Nicolas Almagro (No.12 seed, 2.30pm, approx).
History is stacked against Almagro ahead of the eighth career meeting with his fellow countryman because he is still looking for his first victory! Twice the duo have met in the French Open, 2008 and 2010, and on both occasions Nadal has won in straight sets.
That's why the best price you will get for the favourite is 1-20 with BetVictor, Almagro available at 14-1, bet365. Unsurprisingly I cannot see past Nadal, not just for this match, but for a record seventh Coupe des Mousquetaires.
Almagro has won just two sets against his rival although in 2010 he pushed him all the way to two tiebreaks. So for me it's Nadal in straight sets, perhaps with a tie-break thrown in.
Recommendations
Nadal 3-0 (4-11, Bodog, Stan James)
Tiebreak in match (7-4, bet365)
Andy Murray (No.4 seed) v David Ferrer (No.6 seed, 2.30pm, approx).
Bookies have Ferrer as favourite (4-7, Betfred, Stan James, William Hill) for their 10th career meeting but I'm confident Murray can repeat the heroics he served up against Richard Gasquet.
The British No.1 (8-5, sportingbet, boylesports) has yet to beat Ferrer on clay after three meetings but they have never met at Roland Garros and he does lead the Spaniard 5-4 overall.
Ferrer's a slugger and won't be brushed aside but I fancy Murray to produce one of those performances we wish he could deliver more often and edge into the semi-finals.
However, he won't win in straight sets, and I hope the back holds up because he might need five to secure his first clay success over the Valencian.
Recommendations
Murray to win (8-5, sportingbet, Boylesports)
Murray 3-2 (7-1, Stan James)
Can’t agree with the Murray tip mate. Apart from Djokovic and Nadal, Ferrer is the fittest player on the men’s circuit and he’s a clay court specialist, Murray seems to want to blame his back for every poor point he plays and struggled against the first piece of real quality he came up against in the first set against Gasquet and as well as Murray played in the next 3 sets a lot of it was down to Gasquet’s mental fragility. Ferrer hasnt lost a set in the tournament so far and brushed aside Granollers in the last round, he has also only been beaten by Nadal, Federer and Bellucci on clay this season and boasts a 12-3 record on the dirt. Even though Murray holds the advantage in the head to head all of his wins were on a hardcourt were the ball travels a lot quicker. I just think Murray will be outlasted and will eventually get frustrated due to Ferrer’s superior movement. Ferrer to win 3-1
Matt, we’ll see who is right. David knows all about Ferrer and his clay-court record against Murray. He’s taken an opinion about who he thinks will win and it’s up to guys look yourself to decide whether to follow him or not. Most people on this site are accomplished punters who don’t blindly follow the tips put up. On a lot of occasions they simply want someone to reinforce their own opinion. Personally, I reckon it could go either way but ask David to make a call and he’s done that. Interestingly, the Racing Post have also backed Murray to win today so David hasn’t gone out on a limb. Good luck to whoever comes out on top.
2/2 so far, lets hope ur right about murray now, goin behind again in 1st set and now back level
Just to clarify I was only giving my thoughts on that game and meant no offence
Matt, at the end of the day you got it spot on and Davie was was correct with his two tips on the Nadal match. Fair play to you but do you feel Murray threw it away? Looked like he made too many mistakes to me and Nadal won’t allow Ferrer that leeway.
Murray made a lot of errors, but I don’t think Ferrer played much better, both of their service games were dreadful however over 60 unforced errors from Murray’s part is inexcusable. I tend to bet against Murray whenever he plays a top 10 player he’s too inconsistent and he gets wound up too easily
Matt, I find hard to criticise a guy who is Britain’s only tennis star but to me it looks like he’ll never win a Slam and that’s a real shame.
His forehand is like messi through on goal… Nine times out of ten he hits the net!
Badham, you’re a bad man! Like I said can you imagine if we were relying on Britain’s No.2 to give us some success on the big stage. An remember clay’s his worst surface so I don’t think anyone’s ever tipped him to win the French Open.
Yes Paul, I don’t think he will ever win one, look at Djokovic, a few years ago he and Murray were around the same level, now they are worlds apart
Needs to practice not giving away too many points to step up to the next level. The rain delay done him no favours in this one though.