Events / Ben Caudell / 14 October 2009 /

Ben Caudell is in hot form on the Shanghai Masters front. And because you should strike when the iron is hot, it may pay to back his selections ahead of Thursday's action.

Radek Stepanek (CZE) v Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI)

Stepanek has been in miraculous form at this year's Shanghai Masters. Against Juan Carlos Ferrero the Czech won an astonishing 96% of first service points, losing just 1/25 to record a 6-3 6-0 win over the Spaniard.

His second round match was slightly less convincing. However he still managed to save 5/5 break points and dictate the majority of the rallies against left hander Andreas Beck.

Stanislas Wawrinka has been less compelling. He struggled against Lukas Kubot in the first round and should actually be on the plane home after being a set down and 5-1 down in the second set tie-break. Having only played seven games in his match against Andy Roddick due to the American's injury withdrawal, the number two ranked Swiss player will be slightly less fatigued and will have had plenty of time to rest before Thursday's match.

The player people like to refer to as "the worm", (because of his ridiculous worm-like celebrations) after a winning performance, will be favourite to win this match and rightly so.

He has a 4-0 head-to-head series lead over Wawrinka including a three set win at this year's Barcelona Open . Although these two have never played each other on hard courts, I can't see any reason why the Czech's flat groundstrokes and all-round game can't make it 5-0.

Selection: Back Radek Stepanek @ [1.76] to win match

Gilles Simon (FRA) v Tomas Berdych (CZE)

This is match that can be decided by a toss of a coin! Both players have similar stats, form, and are matched at two wins apiece in their head-to-head series.

Berdych, my tip to defeat Marin Cilic in the first round has shown a resounding ability to fight back from the brink of defeat and is starting to show the belief to match his potential, two traits you don't often associate with the 24 year old Czech who on many occasions previously, has crumbled when under pressure.

Simon will no doubt be the fresher of the two after a bye in the first round and a straightforward second round win over a tricky customer in Viktor Troicki. Berdych has battled through two three set matches but will be full of confidence and in the knowledge that he has won the last two matches against Gilles Simon.

I believe this will be another three set epic; Berdych is playing some of the best tennis I have seen from him all season, and a potential quarter final showdown with Novak Djokovic will get the adrenalin pumping.

Selection: Back Tomas Berdych @ [2.5] to win match
Lay Simon 2-0 @ [2.02]

Best Bet - Back Radek Stepanek to defeat Stanislas Wawrinka @ [1.76] (Shanghai Masters 3rd Rd)

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