Steve Johnson and Marinko Matosevic will square off in a marquee first-round match on Tuesday in Brisbane. In Chennai, Indian hope Somdev Devvarman is looking for an upset of Yen-Hsun Lu.
Bribane International: Marinko Matosevic vs. Steve Johnson
Matosevic and Johnson will be squaring off for the first time in their careers at the ATP main-draw level when they clash in the Brisbane first round on Tuesday. They have, however, faced each other on one previous occasion; Johnson prevailed 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-1 during 2010 Los Angeles qualifying. Almost five years later, Johnson has emerged from an NCAA powerhouse to an established force on the pro tour. He earned 19 of his 26 lifetime ATP-level match victories last season and is up to a career-high ranking of No. 37 in the world.
Although he finally got over the hump to win a Grand Slam match (two to be exact) in 2014, Matosevic was for the most part mediocre and wrapped up the campaign at 77th in the rankings. The Australian has not been particularly impressive with home-court advantage in Brisbane. He is 2-4 overall at the tournament with three first-round exits. If Johnson serves well, he should be able to dictate play and frustrate his volatile opponent.
Pick: Johnson in 3
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Aircel Chennai Open: (6) Yen-Hsun Lu vs. (WC) Somdev Devvarman
Lu and Devvarman will be going head-to-head for the third time in their careers on Tuesday in Chennai. Devvarman has won both of their previous meetings, although one ended with a retirement in the very first game. Their only completed match came during 2009 Davis Cup action, which saw Devvarman dominate 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 on the road in Chinese Taipei. The Indian, however, is currently struggling down at No. 138 in the world. Although he has home-court advantage in this one, he is just 2-4 in his last six matches at this event since finishing runner-up to Marin Cilic in 2009.
Registering exactly 100 spots ahead of his opponent at 38th in the rankings, Lu is coming off a season in which he reached the semifinals in both Memphis and Winston-Salem in addition to occasional success on the Challenger circuit. Their prior result notwithstanding, Lu is generally just as solid as Devvarman in terms of his consistency from the back of the court while also possessing superior firepower.
Pick: Lu in 2
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