ORDER OF PLAY – THURSDAY, 19 AUGUST, 2010
STADIUM
E Gulbis (LAT) vs [4] A Murray (GBR)
[1] R Nadal (ESP) vs J Benneteau (FRA)
[3] R Federer (SUI) vs P Kohlschreiber (GER)
[5] R Soderling (SWE) vs [9] A Roddick (USA)
Wow, main stadium match-ups are finally compelling enough to warrant me hoping I was there with great seats, which I wouldn’t. Even from my nosebleed seats, I can sense that there could be some UPSETS. I know that Murray has been shaky and prone to go in and out of matches, but somehow I just don’t see Gulbis taking Murray down. Yeah Chardy took a set off him today and so might Gulbis, but in the end, I expect Murray to dispatch with this talented wastrel in dominant fashion. Murray likes to turn it on at these Masters, I’m thinking tomorrow will be his day to do it.
The Nadal-Benneteau would be intriguing if it was say, Djokovic. But we know that Nadal is efficient and he should take care of Benneteau handily. If he doesn’t then I don’t know my Nadal. This is the match to take a break and go wandering off to the Grandstand to see what is up with Nalby vs. Djoko!
Ohh, the tricky Kohls meets practice partner Federer. You didn’t hear? Kohlschreiber spent some time practicing with Federer over their break before the start of the hard court US Open Series. Clever Fed, knowing that he would need that information to take care of Kohls in two sets. Their last meeting was in Halle on grass where Fed beat Kohls in straight sets. Kohls gave Nadal trouble but in the end his serve let him down. If Federer can manage to stay in it mentally and serve as well as he did in Toronto, I don’t see why he can’t win this match. The only reason to be nervous? Fed’s tendency to gift sets to people. I think he’ll hold steady and come through this one.
UPSET ALERT – I see Soddy taking out Roddick, though it’s not much of an upset if Sod is seeded 5th and Roddick is 9th. Soddy played horribly against Roddick in Indian Wells this past March and hopefully he’s learned from that match. Plus, being pushed to three sets against Hewitt should make Soddy primed and ready for Andy. Isn’t it about time that Soddy begins to peak for the Open or is that only the French?
GRANDSTAND
[WC] M Fish (USA) vs R Gasquet (FRA)
D Nalbandian (ARG) vs [2] N Djokovic (SRB)
M Baghdatis (CYP) vs [7] T Berdych (CZE)
[10] D Ferrer (ESP) vs [6] N Davydenko (RUS)
Dear me, this line up is giving main stadium a run for its money and to be honest, now that I look at it more carefully, I’m bagging those matches in the stadium and camping out on this court.
Fish and Gasquet should be loads of fun with the more talented Gasquet hopefully prevailing in three sets. UPSET ALERT – seriously there is always the possibility of an upset when Djoko is in the house. Even though I hear Nalby is looking tired, I still like him for taking care of Djoko. I picture a frustrated Djoko who won’t be able to make his shots do what he wants, especially as it will be nice and hot mid-day. Possible medical timeout for breathing issues, maybe?
Berdych is supposed to win this match but it all depends on which Berdy shows up tomorrow. I have seen tape around his right knee, so maybe his movement may be a tad hampered (which is not so great as he’s not the best mover). With Baggy’s affinity for clever shots, he may just be able to outmaneuver Berdy enough to take this. I think the upset may be that Baggy takes out Berdy. Now that Ferrer got by Querrey, I certainly don’t see Davydenko taking him out but these boys don’t do things nice and easy, so I expect this one to be a slug fest lasting far longer than it should.