BNP Paribas Open Betting: Berdych and Federer set to go the distance

Who will come out on top between Federer and Berdych?

The remaining two places in the semi finals of the BNP Paribas Open are up for grabs on Friday, with Roger Federer among those in action. Sean Calvert selects the best bets on day nine...

Thursday's play brought us a pretty comfortable winner when Andy Murray outclassed Feliciano Lopez in a straight sets win that brought success for my 'no tie breaks' wager.

The 1.625/8 shot was never in danger of failing, with Murray using the gusty conditions and favourable match-up with lefty Lopez to the best possible effect and the Scot could have won it even easier than his 6-3, 6-4 final score line.

That poor old warrior Bernard Tomic withdrew from his quarter final with Novak Djokovic with a combination of toothache and a back problem last night, so Djokovic will face Murray for a place in the final tomorrow.

Before all of that Roger Federer tries to join his fellow 'big four' members in the semi finals when he faces Tomas Berdych for the 19th time in all competitions, with the Swiss leading 12-6 at the moment.

That head-to-head is rather misleading though, with their last half dozen meetings being shared 3-3 and a lot could depend on the conditions at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden today.

Lopez visibly struggled in the swirling wind that often finds its way inside the stadium courts here and any repeat of yesterday's gusts will give Federer a distinct advantage.

The pair have never before met at Indian Wells, but their last three meetings have taken place on quicker hard courts in Dubai and New York, where Berdych has won two of the three.

Both have looked in good nick this week in the desert and the slower surface should make things a little easier for the more cumbersome mover, Berdych, to set himself for his big shots.

The key to beating Berdych is to move him around and make him play his shots on the move when he loses control and Federer will be looking to keep the big man running throughout this contest.

Federer is yet to be tested in the slightest so far this tournament and this should be a big step up for the Swiss from the likes of Sock, Seppi and Schwartzman and I like the 'three sets' wager in this one or a 2-1 win for Federer - both at nice prices.

I would give Fed the edge in blustery conditions, with the Berdych ball toss very high and Federer the better player in the wind anyway, but if the A game of the Czech is on it could be tough and a close match.

Federer hasn't beaten Berdych comfortably on an outdoor hard court since 2008 and this 7pm UK time start has the feel of another one that could well go to a decider, unless the wind blows Berdych away.

Recommended Bet
Back 'three sets' in Berdych/Federer at 2.77/4