It's quarter-final day at the ATP 1000 Paris Masters with British No.1 Andy Murray in action against local hero Gael Monfils.
Murray, (2-5, Boylesports, Betfred, 888sport, Blue Square) leads Monfils (9-4, bet365, totesport, Ladbrokes) 3-1 in previous meetings and I reckon the Scot will extend his lead after a tough clash with the flamboyant Frenchman.
Both players came through in three sets yesterday, against Marin Cilic and Fernando Verdasco respectively, and it's hard to imagine this meeting won't also go the distance.
The winner will face either Swiss world No.2 Roger Federer or Jurgen Melzer of Austria in the last four.
Melzer (6-1, bet365, Stan James) is enjoying arguably his best season on Tour but it's hard to see past Federer (1-9, boylesports, Blue Square, Paddy Power, 888sport) who is yet to drop a set after victories over Richard Gasquet and Radek Stepanek.
The pair have met only twice before, at Wimbledon and the US Open this year, with Federer winning on both occasions, surprise, surprise, without losing a set.
Defending champion Novak Djokovic crashed out yesterday, suffering a shock straight-sets defeat to 30-year-old Frenchman Michael Llodra.
World No.34 Llodra tackles the unpredictable Nikolay Davydenko (4-5, Boylsports) and while the Russian is favourite to reach the semi-finals, another shock cannot be ruled out.
Llodra trails Davydenko 4-1 in previous meetings but has bagged two ATP titles to this season to his opponent's one. Also the Parisian will have a fervent home crowd behind him and might be worth a look at 6-5 with Betfred and William Hill.
In the same side of the draw Andy Roddick (4-5, Betfred, Stan James) and Robin Soderling (23-20, Boylesports) will meet for a fifth time with the winner set to edge in front in their head-to-head match up.
American world No.8 A-Rod, who qualified for the ATP Finals yesterday, has won both of this season's clashes with the world No.5 from Sweden.
Both those meetings on US hardcourts went the distance so I reckon a three-set match is worth a look here.
Quarter-final Super Singles
- Murray/Monfils (3 sets, 6-4)
- Roddick/Soderling (3 sets, 13-10)
- Double pays £57.50 to a £10 stake at boylesports
