Simon can squeeze through again to set up Djokovic clash

Solid if unspectacular, Gilles Simon’s victory over the promising Ryan Harrison will stand him in good stead ahead of his quarter-final clash with John Isner, which he is priced at 13/8 to win.

Simon hasn’t played the most attractive tennis all year, but the experienced Frenchman has performed more effectively in recent weeks, pushing past some impressive competition en route to the Indian Wells quarter-finals.

His experience has told in gruelling victories over Dudi Sela and the aforementioned Harrison, and as the number 13 seed is not the most ruthless player, it could be worth backing him to triumph over Isner 2-1 at a big 7/2.

Opponent Isner meanwhile, disposed of exciting Australian prospect Matthew Ebden in straight sets to tee up this match, and the 11th seeded American is 1/2 favourite to overcome Simon here.

Isner triumphed in the one previous meeting between the two players, but the experienced Simon, vastly improved since the pair’s US Open meeting of last year, offers too much value to ignore at 13/8 to grind out a win.

The winner will meet the victor of the Novak Djokovic vs Nicolas Almagro match, and whilst the Spaniard pulled off an upset with an impressive win over Tomas Berdych in the previous round, he will come unstuck against the 1/14 current world number one.

Elsewhere, Juan Martin Del Potro takes on the legendary Roger Federer in a repeat of their Australian Open quarter-final earlier in the year, and the Swiss player should be backed to triumph again in LA at 2/5.

Federer was absolutely emphatic in his defeat of the Argentinian in Melbourne, and he is a decent 11/10 to score a repeat of his straight sets victory here.

Rafael Nadal meets unseeded David Nalbandian in the other quarter-final tie, and the powerful Spaniard should have no troubles to advance and make it a star-studded semi-final lineup at 1/7.

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