US Open Betting / Ben Caudell / 09 September 2010 /

Ben Caudell previews tonight's quarter-final between Stanislas Wawrinka and Mikhail Youzhny, where he expects the Russian to come out on top.

Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) v Mikhail Youzhny (RUS)

Who'd have thought that both Mikhail Youzhny and Stanislas Wawrinka would reach this stage of the US Open and have a chance of a semi-final berth and the prospect of playing Rafael Nadal to reach the final?

Although tonight's quarter-final match-up was highly unexpected, both players have earned the right to have reached the latter stages of this year's US Open with impressive displays against tough opposition and in tricky playing conditions. Wawrinka not only showed a lot of guts and bravado in knocking out Andy Murray and home favourite Sam Querrey in two tremendously long and mentally straining contests, he has developed the ability to sense when his opponent is emotionally drained and manage to change his game according to the state of play. His single backhand down the line and his attacking serve have played a big part in his wins, and have made him a formidable threat whoever he is up against.

Mikhail Youzhny has had a slightly easier route through to tonight's showdown with Wawrinka, defeating Tommy Robredo and John Isner in the two previous rounds both in four sets. The Russian, who is hoping to make it into the top-10 of the world rankings if he wins tonight, is looking extremely relaxed, confident, and fit on court, with there being very little wrong with his game at the moment.

Coming into this match, Youzhny has spent approximately 2 hours less playing time on court than the Swiss no.2; and also has the advantage of having reached the semi final of Flushing Meadows before; in 2006 Youzhny reached the last four of the tournament defeating David Ferrer, Tommy Robredo, and Rafael Nadal en route to losing to Andy Roddick in straight sets. The Russian's head-to-head with Wawrinka is tied at two-apiece. However, the two matches that were played on hard courts were won by Youzhny, including his latest win at the Miami Master Series event earlier in the year.

I am going to have to side with Youzhny in this match. He appears less fatigued than Wawrinka who suffered with cramps against Murray, he is fresher, wiser, and in my opinion has the right attitude to make it three wins against the 25th seed, assuming the Russian doesn't mentally implode. I also believe that the Russian is better equipped to play Nadal in the next round, having already experienced the semi-final stage before.

Selection:

Back Mikhail Youzhny @ [1.9] to win match
Back Youzhny 3-1 @ [4.5]

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>

:

:

:

?

: