Cincinnati Masters Tips: Easy final for the Fed?

Events / Ben Caudell / 22 August 2010 / Leave a Comment

Roger Federer should have enough in the tank for an easy victory

"I'm siding with the greatest player to ever hold a tennis racket. Fish has played nearly seven hours more than Federer in Cincinnati, 90 more games and seven more sets."

Home favourite Mardy Fish faces Roger Federer in the Cincinnati Masters final - will it be win no.63 for the Swiss master?

Roger Federer (SWI) v Mardy Fish (USA)
The Championship of the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters in Cincinnati comes to a climax tonight with a clash between No.3 seed Roger Federer and wild card and home favourite Mardy Fish.

Federer has a distinct advantage coming into today's final leading the head-to-head series 5-1, although the American won the last encounter 6-3 6-2 in the semi-finals of the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Indian Wells in March 2008.

The Swiss legend - a three-time winner and defending Cincinnati champion - made light work of the resurgent Marcos Baghdatis, breezing into the final 6-4,6-3 in 71 minutes. Fed was helped by his immense serve stats, winning 90% of first service points against the Greek Cypriot. Federer understandably comes into the final as a huge favourite to recapture his crown.

Standing in his way is the 2003 finalist, who valiantly fought back from a set and 2-5 to defeat close friend and former champion Andy Roddick 4-6 7-6 6-1 to claim his 34th match win of the season.

Fish is trying to earn his first Master Series 1000 final and become the first un-seeded champion here in the open era. The 29-year-old Tampa-resident's record in finals is 5-11 compared with Federer who is appearing in his 90th ATP World Tour final, the Swiss is 62-27 in finals and 16-11 in Master series finals.

As much as I would like to see Fish upset the odds and win his third tour title of the year, the underlying fact is that the American will be far more fatigued than his illustrious opponent.

So I'm siding with the greatest player to ever hold a tennis racket. Fish has played nearly seven hours more than Federer in Cincinnati, 90 more games and seven more sets. This is an incredible differential that will almost definitely favour Federer and therefore my best bet is to back the Swiss master to win in straight sets.

Recommended Bets:
Back Federer 2-0 @ [1.8]
Back Under 23.5 Games @ [1.8]