US Open Tips Day Nine: Back to his best?

US Open Betting / Ben Caudell / 07 September 2010 /

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Fernando Verdasco in action at Flushing Meadows

"I expect a close fought encounter that will probably end up going to five sets."

Tonight's all-Spanish clash continues a great year of sporting excellence for the country of Ferrer and Verdasco. But who will prevail here? asks Ben Caudell.

David Ferrer (ESP) v Fernando Verdasco (ESP)

This has already been a record-setting first week for Spanish men at Flushing Meadows. Six Spanish men, with Nadal leading the processions made it through the fourth round, there are now five remaining and tonight's all Spanish affair between David Ferrer and Fernando Verdasco will highlight the prominence this sporting nation has over other countries in the world of tennis.

Verdasco looked to have rekindled some of the fighting qualities he showed earlier in the year when the number eight seed dispatched Argentine David Nalbandian in four sets 6-2 3-6 6-3 6-2. The Spanish number two, who started the clay court season with a tournament win in Barcelona, a final appearance in Monte Carlo and Nice, also reached the semi-final stages of Rome where he lost to Ferrer in straight sets. Since the French Open the standard of his tennis dropped significantly as he lost in the first rounds of Wimbledon and Cincinnati and the second round of Toronto.

With these abject displays his confidence hit at an all-time low but, with three match wins under his belt, the tide is turning in favour of the left-hander and, after beating Nalbandian, the Spaniard will fancy his chances against David Ferrer tonight, a player he has a 6-4 head-to-head series lead against.

Nine of the 10 matches played between this pair have been on the clay courts, with just the solitary encounter on hard, which Ferrer won way back in 2004. Although Ferrer has so far looked more convincing than Verdasco on this surface, having won all three of his US Open matches comfortably in three sets, I feel he is still too one dimensional and lacks the fire and power that someone like Verdasco possesses. I expect a close fought encounter that will probably end up going to five sets, however my money will be on the left hander who boasts more weapons in his armoury.

Selection: Back Fernando Verdasco @ [1.82] to win match
Back Over 39.5 Games @ [1.8]

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