ATP CINCINNATI BETTING RODDICK VS DJOKOVIC IN THE QUARTERS

Andy Roddick and Novak Djokovic are set to decide a spot in the Cincinnati Masters semi-finals today. Their quarterfinal clash, which marks the seventh career meeting between the pair, sets up, arguably, one of the more compelling encounters of the day’s betting card.
Roddick is tipped at 6/4 to win outright while Djokovic is listed favourably at 1/2 with popular UK bookmaker, William Hill.
While bookies are apparent in the casting of this match, there is a chance that this encounter would go against the grain because Roddick is up on Djokovic in head-to-heads and has home edge.
Roddick takes a 4-2 edge over Djokovic into their clash, which includes a three-match winning streak against the Serb. He swept all three encounters in 2009 rather convincingly on victories at the Australian Open, Indian Wells and Rogers Cup.
Djokovic is aiming to snap this negative trend against the American in Cincinnati, before a partisan home crowd. The bookies give him the edge and it isn’t surprising that they should do so.
Djokovic is through to his second quarterfinal in as many Masters this month; last week he was a semi-finalist in Toronto. He’s also shown solid form this week in Cincinnati where last week he looked more questionable and by sheer will power pushed deep into the tournament before falling to Federer.
There is no doubt that Djokovic is playing well this week – better even than Nadal, Murray and Federer – and that has many believing he might be the one left standing on Sunday, taking the last bow.
Djokovic has flattered to deceive on numerous occasions before so it wouldn’t be surprising if he were to falter at this hurdle, inexplicably.
Djokovic hasn’t been at his best this term. In fact, he hasn’t been at his best in some time. What is most concerning is how he struggles in matches against top players or in clutch situations. His encounter against Federer in Toronto was case-and-point. The pro-Fed crowd didn’t help him and got under his skin.
Djokovic is in store for a similar atmosphere in this match. He has the double task of staring down not only Roddick but also the American crowd. These factors obviously give him trouble. Keep in mind, Mardy Fish is warming up the crowd, as I write. He’s levelled the match with Murray at a set all and they are now battling for the third and final set.
Imagine the celebrations if both Fish and Roddick fly the American flag high. I cannot think of a better time than now for American tennis to get a lift up, as they have no players in the top 10 and are desperate to usher them back into the upper echelons of the game. Oh, and we are only two weeks to the US Open.