Shanghai Masters Cup Day Six: Battler Simon can grind down Stepanek

Events / Ben Caudell / 13 November 2008 / Leave a Comment

Radek Stepanek may fancy his chances as the outsider in this tournament but Gilles Simon has too much to lose to take his eye off the ball now and, if he wins, then Andy Murray's match with Roger Federer will have much riding on it, says Ben Caudell.

Nikolay Davydenko was in scintillating form as he brushed aside Juan Martin Del Potro 6-3 6-2 in one hour and twenty minutes to set up a semi final clash with either Andy Murray or Roger Federer. As predicted in yesterdays tip's Davydenko broke Juan Martin Del Potro early on and won in straight sets. The little Russian served well on the big points and held his nerve, something he didn't do against Djokovic in his previous match.

Jo Wilfred Tsonga won his first match of the Masters Cup beating Novak Djokovic in three sets. It was always going to be a big ask for the Serb to take this match seriously having already qualified top of the group. Djokovic will now face the runner up in the Red Group on Saturday in what will be his first semi-final appearance in a Masters Cup event.

Radek Stepanek v Gilles Simon:

Although Stepanek played with Novak Djokovic's racket, Andy Murrays socks and without his contact lenses in, he still somehow managed to take 10 games off Roger Federer in what was a very close fought match. Stepanek will now play Gilles Simon in a match that Simon has to win if he is to have any chance of qualifying for the semi-finals. Stepanek, providing he will be playing with his own racket, won't want to give this match away, however I feel that Simon will have too much to lose and will battle to grind out the result.

Selection: Back Simon Simon -3.5 Games at even money.

Andy Murray v Roger Federer:

This match has a lot riding on the outcome if Simon beats Stepanek in the earlier match. Federer can still top the group if he beats Murray because, although complicated, the rules of qualification start with whoever wins the most matches, followed by difference of sets won and lost and then finally head to head.

Selection: Back Roger Federer to win Red Group at even money