ORDER OF PLAY – WEDNESDAY, 18 AUGUST, 2010
STADIUM start 11:00 am
V Troicki (SRB) vs [2] N Djokovic (SRB)
[1] R Nadal (ESP) vs [Q] T Dent (USA)
J Chardy (FRA) vs [4] A Murray (GBR)
T de Bakker (NED) vs [9] A Roddick (USA)
I love the big boys of tennis but none of these matches would send me to the stadium for a prolonged period of time. Troicki is capable of a few surprises but I don’t think Djoko is going to let this one get away from him, though I wonder at times if he has any competitive juices left.
I evaluate Rafa’s matches by how much work his competitors will force him to do. He loves to work so hard and according to him, anyone can beat him (even when he takes them to the woodshed with bagels and breadsticks). Dent’s rushing of the net should give Rafa pause for a few before he gets in gear and is able to take this one in two sets. I think Dent has to execute that serve and volley style really well and if he does and the crowd helps hime out, he might bite one set.
If I had to watch one of these matches, I might venture in for Murray and Chardy, just because this could be like Monfils and Murray from last week. Murray’s level drops after comfy opening set and Chardy sneaks in and gets a set. Plus, Chardy is not quite a mental case like the other French boys, so he might actually stay with Murray ’til the end. It could go 2 or 3 sets but I am certain that confident Murray isn’t going down in the 2nd round.
Based on Roddick going three sets in his previous match against a guy he has beaten in straight sets, I am thinking this one will go three and the conclusion is not a given. I think this one could be the upset because Bakker can play, if his beating of Tsonga in Barcelona is anything to go by but that was clay.
Not Before 7:00 PM
[3] R Federer (SUI) vs [Q] D Istomin (UZB)
Oh Fed should do this one easily and without the brain farts we have seen of late. Is that a hope or prediction? Hard to tell!
GRANDSTAND start 11:00 am
[10] D Ferrer (ESP) vs S Querrey (USA)[8]
F Verdasco (ESP) vs [WC] M Fish (USA)
D Nalbandian (ARG) vs J Isner (USA)[WC]
R Ginepri (USA) vs [6] N Davydenko (RUS)
[5] R Soderling (SWE) vs L Hewitt (AUS)
Oh yeah, this is the place to be today. Why is it always the case? Such is the way during the early rounds, best action is on the side courts!
The only match I feel comfortable predicting the end is Nalby taking out Izzy. I think he is going to exploit Izzy’s poor movement and take that match pretty handily. Ferrer can wear down the best of guys and Querrey hasn’t been as impressive this hard court season to me. But with a pro-American crowd and no guidos in sight (per his description of Miami) he could take this one in three.
I love Verdasco but sometimes he loses matches he should win. Fish has been in good form and Verdasco isn’t always the best guy for a sure bet. I have a feeling Fish in three but I damn well hope not. Poor Davydenko has not been doing so well since his wrist injury but if he goes down to Ginepri, he should smack himself. Similarly, if Soddy even allows Rusty to get any come ons in this match, he’s doing worse than I think. Hewitt might be the energizer bunny of tennis players, but Soddy should give him a spanking. I mean he is injured, right?
COURT 3 start 11:00 am
M Berrer (GER) vs R Gasquet (FRA)[13]
J Melzer (AUT) vs E Gulbis (LAT)
Eh, Gasquet is still around and should get through this match, but I could care less. I like Melzer for this match simply because I expect Gulbis to be over this all at some point and why not this round? It’s as good as any and Melzer is such the work horse, I know he is prepared to be out there for hours. Only potential hiccups? It’s suppose to be a nice day, so Gulbis might decide he is interested in playing and he has the game to do this quickly.
COURT 4 start 11:00 am
J Benneteau (FRA) vs S Wawrinka (SUI)
P Kohlschreiber (GER) vs [Q] A Falla (COL)
Stan and Kohls should get through their matches even in three. I fancy this court and I might have wandered over if Verdasco made me angry enough with his double faults and giving Fish a set. Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®