ATP BNP Paribas Masters
By Nishant Joshi

After having beaten all comers to pick up the title in Basle yesterday, Novak Djokovic has shown that he is approaching peak form for the final Masters 1000 tournament of the season. He beat a lacklustre Roger Federer in the final of his home event, and so I'm fairly amazed to see Federer remain as the 3.25 jolly to win outright. Djokovic has an excellent draw, with Nikolai Davydenko and Rafael Nadal his main dangers. Last year's winner Jo-Wilfried Tsonga can also not be ruled out, and if he faces Djokovic in the semi-finals then we may consider hedging our bets. However, with his form and superior H2H's on hard courts, I'm quite happy for us to have a bet on Djokovic @ 6.5.

Likewise, Andy Murray won in Valencia yesterday, but without having to really step out of first gear. He was decidedly average throughout the tournament, and although he was tested by home favourite Fernando Verdasco, he managed to come through the encounter unscathed. His often negative approach was exposed, but it is the same approach which so frustrates his opponents, and we can expect Murray to raise his game when it really matters. He has Juan Martin del Potro and Roger Federer lurking in his half, but considering H2H and form, he would expect to reach the finals.

Overall, I feel that with Federer's forehand going missing so often this year - his forehand errors vs Djokovic yesterday would have embarrassed any top 50 player - Murray and Djokovic should be favourites to win the tournament outright. There are plenty of dangerous players but I feel that we should be happy to take the best two players in form, in opposite halves of the draw.

NJ's Bets:

Novak Djokovic to win the BNP Paribas Masters - 2.5pts E/W @ 6.5 (Bluesq / 888sport)

Andy Murray to win the BNP Paribas Masters - 2.5pts E/W @ 6.0 (Bluesq / 888sport)