US Open Betting / Ben Caudell / 10 September 2009 /

Ben Caudell is sweet on the chances of Spain's finest in his quarter-final against Fernando Gonzalez

Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) V Rafael Nadal (ESP)
The first two sets of the Rafael Nadal v Gael Monfils match featured some of the best tennis I have witnessed at this year's US Open. The blistering shot making skills of both players and the pure aggression each player was showing enlivened the crowed and everyone else that was watching in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Nadal showed no sign of his injuries and instead looked fresh and fitter than ever after taking a break from tennis for two months to rest his troublesome knee. After this superb display of stamina, strength, and tenacity the Spaniard now trades as the [6.0] second favourite to win the US Open. No doubt Roger Federer will be slightly worried at the prospect of meeting him in the final having lost to the Spaniard in their previous three Grand Slam finals.

Fernando Gonzalez will have his work cut out tonight if he is to progress to the semi final stages. He will be buoyed by the fact that he has defeated Rafael Nadal on three previous occasions, his last win was in the 2007 Australian Open at the same quarter final stage.

The Chilean possesses probably the biggest inside out forehand the game has to offer, his power on the forehand side allows him to dictate rallies from the back of the court often dismantling opponents with brute force. For Nadal to win this match, he is going to have to avoid hitting the ball to Gonzalez's strengths and instead force the Chilean into making unforced errors on his weaker backhand side. I can see Nadal, like he did against Monfils, wearing away at Gonzalez and this match could go to four or five sets. However, Nadal should emerge victorious having won both the mental and physical battles.

Selection: Back Rafael Nadal @ [1.35] to win match
Back over 38.5 Games @ [2.0]
Back four sets @ [2.8]

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