Nalbandian takes on Ljubicic in potentially titanic Cincinnati battle
Published:David Nalbandian will look to continue his excellent hard court form when he faces Ivan Ljubicic at the Cincinnati Masters.
The burly Argentinian begins the match as the firm 1/4 favourite to beat Ljubicic, though the real value could be in set betting, where Nalbandian is 3/1 to win in three sets.
Ljubicic is the underdog at 11/4 but the 31-year-old has won five of his seven matches against Nalbandian, and at 6ft 4in, the Croatian is still a menacing server.
The danger of an upset is underlined by the fact that Ljubicic has won the last four meetings between the two players.
Nalbandian, however, is in fine form having won the Legg Mason Classic earlier this month and he progressed to the quarter-finals of the Rogers Cup.
With 22 years on the ATP Tour between the two players, this promises to be a titanic battle, and it could be Nalbandian’s excellent recent form which secures him a tight win.
Mardy Fish vs Gilles Simon
At 66/1 to win the US Open, American Mardy Fish is seen as a dark horse who could mount a serious title challenge at Flushing Meadows later this month.
First of all, however, the in-form Fish, who has already won two titles in 2010, takes on Frenchman Gilles Simon as the favourite to progress at a price of 1/2.
Simon was the winner when the two men met in Sydney for their only clash to date two years ago, and he is 6/4 to beat his American opponent again in Cincinnati.
Who do you think will be the master in Cincinnati? Andy Murray is the 11/4 favourite to win the title. See the full Western & Southern Financial Group Masters market.
