Events / Ben Caudell / 17 March 2009 /

Ben Caudell was very impressed by Fernando Verdasco's demolition of Richard Gasquet. But who does he expect to triumph at Indian Wells today?

Fernando Verdasco was in scintillating form yesterday as he out-played Wimbledon semi-finalist Richard Gasquet in one hour and seven minutes 6-3 6-2.

We backed the Spaniard at [1.7] before the match, a massive price when you consider how straight forward a win this actually was. From the off, left-hander Verdasco went on the attack breaking Gasquet's first service game. He went on to break the Frenchman's serve five times and recorded an amazing 82% of second serve points won. Of all the performances I have seen over the last week, Verdasco's demolition of Gasquet ranks as the best. Before the start of the tournament I managed to back him at [55.0] in the Winner market, after this latest win the price shortened to as low as [13.0]. He now faces a tough match against Philipp Kohlschreiber and a potential quarter-final against Roger Federer. Can he go all the way? The way he is playing at the moment, I believe he can..........

The other winning bet of the day was to lay Philipp Kohlschreiber 2-0 at [1.83] against Nicolas Lapentti. The German played well against the veteran Ecuadorian and although our value bet of backing Lapentti at [4.5] to win the match didn't come in, we still had chances to lay the bet off at [2.3].

Today's Selections

Vera Zvonareva (RUS) v Na li (CHI)

Both these players are in exceptional form. Vera has won nine of her last ten matches, her only defeat was against Virginie Razzano at this year's Dubai Premier Open, she won the Pattaya City International without dropping a set, in fact she has dropped only two sets out her last 18. She now face's Na Li, a player she has a losing head-to-head against 1-2 and a player she has lost the first set against on all three occasions. Li will enjoy her underdog status and will relish the prospect of beating another top 10 ranked player.

Selection: Lay Vera Zvonareva 2-0 @ even money
Back Na Li @ 2.54 to win Set 01
Back Na Li @ 3.5 Match Odds - Trade out at even money

David Ferrer (SPA) v Jeremy Chardy (FRA)

David Ferrer will want revenge for their most recent meeting, which Chardy won 7-6 in the third set. Chardy will be a player to watch out for in the future and will put up a good fight against the dogged Spaniard. Ferrer will be enjoying the slower courts at Indian Wells this year and will be looking to break back into the top 10 sometime soon. The form he is currently in could provide him with a spring board to do just that.

Selection: Back David Ferrer @ [1.5] to win match

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