A blockbuster day of third-round action in Rome features enticing matchups such as Stanislas Wawrinka vs. Tommy Haas and David Ferrer vs. Ernests Gulbis. Joey Hanf of The Tennis Nerds previews those two showdowns and makes his picks.
(3) Stanislas Wawrinka vs (15) Tommy Haas
Almost all the matches set for Thursday at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia are strong in prospect, but the easiest on the eyes will no doubt be Wawrinka vs. Haas. Two of the greatest one-handers on tour will battle it out for a spot in the quarterfinals. Wawrinka, who is trying to bounce back after an early exit in Madrid, needed less than an hour to dispatch Pere Riba in his first match at the Foro Italico. Meanwhile, Haas–at 36 years of age–is still inside the top 20 and is trying to make the quarterfinals of a Masters 1000 for the first time since Miami of last year. He defeated Andreas Seppi in three sets before taking down Igor Sijsling in straights, avenging his loss in Madrid to the Dutchman.
Although both men have been on tour together for numerous years, they have only played once. Haas defeated Wawrinka in three sets at the 2006 Doha event. It’s a shame they have not faced each other more often, because they are two of the most aesthetically pleasing players out there. The backhand to backhand battle will be interesting, because Wawrinka likes to have a little more time and rip it, while Haas is great at taking the ball early and absorbing pace. The difference now is that the Swiss’ forehand has become such a weapon, while Haas still has his days when he struggles off that side. Take a few years off Haas and this match would have been incredibly tough to call, but the 2014 Wawrinka will be too much for the German.
Hanf pick: Wawrinka in 3
Dimon pick: Wawrinka in 2
|
[polldaddy poll=8048204]
(5) David Ferrer vs Ernests Gulbis
A match of polar opposites–and another Madrid rematch–Gulbis is up against the pitbull known as Ferrer. Gulbis has always played well in Rome; he beat Roger Federer at this event in 2010 and pushed Rafael Nadal to three sets on two occasions, including last year. He has been quietly making his way up the rankings over the last few months, and he is up to a career-high 17th. Gublis defeated qualifier Stephane Robert in three sets on Wednesday after receiving a retirement from Alejandro Falla in the first round. Ferrer, now 32, has talked this year about feeling the affects of aging, but his performances on clayhave proved otherwise. After taking out Nadal in Monte-Carlo, he looked in vintage form in Madrid–reaching the semifinals before bowing out in an epic three-setter to Kei Nishikori.
Ferrer has prevailed in all three previous meetings between these two, and Gulbis has only taken one set in those matches. But as stated earlier, the underdog always seems to play his best ball in Rome and this could be his day. Ferrer looked sharp in his win over Mikhail Kukushkin, but he is likely still feeling the affects from a long week in Madrid, combined with his ever-aging body. Gulbis will need a lot of free points, and he’ll need to manage the forehand well. The thinking here is that he will do just that.
Hanf pick: Gulbis in 2
Dimon pick: Ferrer in 3
[polldaddy poll=8048206]
Much as I would like to see Tommy reach the QF I cant see it happening.
Wawrinka in 2
If Ferrer has put the disappointment of last week behind him then his famed persistence will provoke the volatile Gulbis to a frenzy of broken racquets.
Ferrer in 3
How many racquets will EG break?
One?
At least two?
More than two?
at least 1
Nah. At least two.
when
The first was broken in the second game of the 1st set.
It was over so quickly he didn’t get time to break the second one. 🙂
Congratulations to the eight people who voted for Ferrer in 2 sets.
Wawa in two losing six or less games.
Ferru in three.
^^You were doing the jinxings, no?
#Tommy
Yes, no?
I have to go with Stan in two sets. I don’t think Haas can hang with him at this point in his career.
I have just been going back and forth with my pick for Ferrer/Gulbis. I have my doubts about Ferrer, even though he played well against Nishi. I was surprised at how easily he beat Gulbis. I have to believe that his match is going to be tougher.
It’s hard for me to pick Gulbis because I can’t stand his behavior on court, but this time I will go with him in three sets.
^^^Nor can I. He is a nasty piece of work.
Would love to know what the other players think of him: particularly those he has slagged off. Time somebody explained the finer points of sportsmanship to him.
ed ( at 2:45 am)
I think: a capricious prince.
Revised OOP
ENTRALE Start 12:00 noon
[3] Stan Wawrinka (SUI)
v
[15] Tommy Haas (GER)
H2H
Not Before 2:00 pm
[11] Ana Ivanovic (SRB)
v
[8] Maria Sharapova (RUS)
WTA
Not Before 4:00 pm
[1] Rafael Nadal (ESP)
v
[14] Mikhail Youzhny (RUS)
H2H
Not Before 7:30 pm
[1] Serena Williams (USA)
v
Varvara Lepchenko (USA)
WTA
Not Before 9:00 pm
Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER)
v
[2] Novak Djokovic (SRB)
Some great, and fun to watch, matches in Rome. I like the Stanimal in straight, and Gulbis in 3.
Rock on Tommy! Into the 3rd he takes WaWa…………..
Now spank him, Tommy!
My feeling was that Haas would give Wawa a very tough match…. forget giving a tough match, he is now serving for the match at 5-3 ! so rafa’s path to the final will be less turbulent now 😉 ….assuming haas holds here lol
I’m a little disappointed tbh, I wanted Rafa to meet Wawa before RG…………..
Chapeau, Tommy!
Wawa is irrelevant wherever he meets a fit Rafa.
wawa cannot beat a fit rafa…but he can surely cause ‘turbulence’ in rafa’s path…
Just wanted the meeting so Rafa can put him in his place and shut the chattering classes up. Tired of hearing Wawa spoken of in the same breath as Rafa………or Fed for that matter.
at 36, Haas is supremely fit… Takes down Wawa ! Both swiss men are OUT
RT @bgtennisnation: “@SharkoTennis when was the last time a 36 year old Tommy Boy Haas beat a top 3 player before today,must be JC”
#Won’tBe#3ForLong
#Journeyman
When a 35 yr 11 months’ old Haas beat Djokovic in Miami in 2013.
Stan is just a substantive top 20 player who got lucky at the AO and MC.
Why do I get the nagging feeling it will take more than a spanking at the hands of Tommy “Bus Pass” Haas, for Wawa to stop prancing around like a peacock, whining on court?
no handshake from Stan to umpire
^^For real? What did the Umpire do to him? In fact, it was Tommy, not Stan, who got a raw deal by being given a time violation warning when he was well within the limit!
#SpoiltBrat
Now please don’t tell me today’s Ernie’s day as well??
His peacock feathers are slowly being clipped. Perhaps the commies will now lower their expectations and give us all a rest from Stanimal.
Referring to the petulant Stan as a peacock is an oxymoron if ever there was one. Peacocks are handsome, proud creatures. That description fits Foggy to a T 😀
Wawa needs a good showing at RG otherwise he will be out of the Top 5 by Wimby……….
Who cares? He’ll be where he belongs.
They are showing highlights of Rafa/Gillou before Muzza’s match!!!
Fact: Roger Federer has more twins than tournament wins in 2014 so far…………
That’s cruel but funny.
Nobody has more tournament wins than Fed twins this year.
#HisBoysCanSwim
RT @SI_BTBaseline: “Wawrinka tweaked his back playing in cold conditions in his first match. Not worries about it. Just needs a few days rest.”
No doubt he made sure the Umpire gave a detailed explanation of his ailment to his opponent during the match, just as he wanted the Umpire in the AO 2014 final to about Rafa’s ailment at the time.
#Hypocrite
Stan follows Fed to a tee. Wins when Rafa is hurt or injured.
Stan would have won a handful of majors during the Weak Era along with Berdych, Muzza, Ferru and DelPo.
#WhenTheCatsAway
#15MinutesOfFame
Rafa is in the building.
Must be a fedfan. He forgot to mention Djojovic and Federer.
However, here is one No. 1 missing from his resume.
#0-5
#GOAT
approved
Ridiculous. Automated moderation is garbage.
@bgtennisnation @RobKoenigTennis
Haas has beaten former #1s: Courier, Sampras, Agassi, Kafelnikov, Rios, Moya, Hewitt, Safin, Kuerten…— Armand (@acestroke78) May 15, 2014
Must be a fedfan. He forgot to mention Djojovic and Federer.
However, there is one No. 1 conspicuously missing from Tommy’s resume.
#0-5
#GOAT
Rafa now 0-4 on BPs.
When he fixes this, he will be back.
#CanaryInACoalmine
Did Andy get a birthday cake at the end of his match? I was watching Rafa on the interactive towards the end of his match.
Two more BPs for Rafa.
BREAK!
1-5 on BPs
Now consolidate that break Rafa.
One of the commies just called the lady sitting between Rafa’s parents, Xisca.
It is Xisca
Yes. Her face was distorted by the glass in front of her. Nice to see her there.
Please Rafa, calm down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Vamos!
Unbelievable.
forget djokovic or wawrinka, ANY player is a threat to rafa these days! he is soo anxious out there..
try to be calm rafa..and keep fighting.. He will get over this hurdle, I am confident..
This is what I’ve been saying. Rafa is MAKING Gilles, Youznhy, Mugro, Stan et. all look good. Youznhy is 4-8 coming into this match on the year.
https://twitter.com/cbfowler/status/466967382578065408
Ferrer looking rock solid. Takes the first set. Gulbis all over the place.
It takes a special kind of temperament to have taken on the job of coaching Ernie.
Ferru has already broken his serve in the first game of 2nd set. Another racquet due for the dustbin any moment soon.
What’s it like being a fan of Ernie? I don’t get this player. I just don’t. Marat used to break racquets all the time but he seemed more likeable.
Does Ernie still have any fans? Apart from Ricky that is :-p
Ricky is a fan of Ernie? 😮
That is an ‘in’ joke. Back in 2008 he was predicting great things for Ernie!
I only watched part of the Wawa/Haas match, but once again, Stan complained that his opponent was receiving coaching. What’s Stan’s problem? That’s his regular go-to complaint now. Good thing he wasn’t playing Rafa yesterday when the pigeon came onto the court….he would’ve complained that it was a carrier pigeon sent by Uncle Toni with coaching instructions for Rafa.
^^Hahaha, epic!
Stan’s got a persecution complex. He complains so loudly as if he wants pity from the viewing audience.
@jpacnw,
That was a good one! Too true! 🙂
Rafa/Muzza play at 9 pm local time, 8pm BST.
thanks
Even carrie might be a problem
Thanks @nadline10, just like I suspected, a night match just like it was against Gillou. Cooler conditions with low bounce for balls will favour Muzza’s flatter shots.
Vamos Rafa!!
Ricky, my posts as nadline10 or Nadline28 have stopped showing up
Try going back to being Carrie 😉
Clayqueen (at 8:50 am),
Try to Log In (& Log Out) here:
http://en.support.wordpress.com/
Use your e-mail address to Sign In (not user name).
It’s more convenient to sign-in on that site than on The Grandstand, and you can mark a box ‘Stay signed in’.
Log In = Sign In
Thanks augusta.
I think our server was down.