The quarter finals of the US Open finish on Wednesday and by the time Roger Federer and Richard Gasquet have done battle in the night session we will know the men’s and women’s semi-final line up in the final Grand Slam of 2015.
That match is the main course but the starter isn’t bad with the remaining women’s QFs seeing Petra Kvitova facing Flavia Pennetta first up and then Simona Halep taking on Victoria Azarenka in what promises to be a thrilling match. Stan Wawrinka then takes on Kevin Anderson in the third of the men’s last eight matches so the menu on Ashe on Wednesday is a high quality one.
Tuesday saw the defending champion Marin Cilic taken the distance before he edged out Jo-Wilfried Tsonga while Roberta Vinci was the first lady into the semi-final. At the time of writing the night session is in progress with both number one seeds looking to progress.
Federer and Gasquet might be the highlight of the day but I can’t really find a betting angle in that match. As I’m on Federer outright I’ll just give that one a watching brief in the hope the Swiss star doesn’t slip up.
I do like a couple in the other men’s match though. Kevin Anderson has won his last four matches against Stan Wawrinka and played probably his best ever match in beating Andy Murray in the previous round. Anderson was inspired in that match and more of the same could see him continue his run here.
Wawrinka has come through the draw solidly enough this fortnight but he hasn’t looked as impressive as you would want a number five seed to look. At times he has looked flat which is a surprise but he’ll need to find his best form if he is to come through this one unscathed.
There is always the chance that Anderson could be a little fatigued after a marathon match against Murray but at this stage of the tournament adrenalin should get him home. Given his record against Wawrinka I’ll take the South African here but I’ll also have a bet on over 42.5 games because only one in seven meetings have the two not either gone the distance or played out a tie-break or two. This has the makings of a tight match but one Anderson can outlast the Swiss in.
Looking into the women’s draw and it is hard to see past the favourites and at even money they are worth putting into a double. I did have Halep down as a big price against Victoria Azarenka even though I expect the Belarusian to win but she looks to have a thigh injury and having pulled out of the doubles after her win over Lisicki in the previous round that injury is clearly affecting her so I’m more confident on Azarenka.
Along with Serena the best tennis in this tournament so far has been played by Petra Kvitova. She is yet to drop a set and is serving monstrously well. Flavia Pennetta will be a determined opponent but we’re getting to the stage of a tournament where she is often found out and I suspect the confident and classy Czech will have too much precision and power for the Italian here.
Back K.Anderson to beat S.Wawrinka for a 4/10 stake at 2.38 with Paddy Power
Back K.Anderson vs S.Wawrinka – Over 42.5 games for a 4/10 stake at 1.85 with Boylesports
Back V.Azarenka to beat S.Halep x P.Kvitova to beat F.Pennetta for a 4/10 stake at 2.00 with Paddy Power
