Ricky Dimon of The Grandstand and Pete Ziebron of Tennis Acumen preview and pick the four best men’s singles matches on Wednesday at the Australian Open. Roger Federer is contesting his second-round match against Alexandr Dolgopolov.
(3) Roger Federer vs. Alexandr Dolgopolov
Ricky: Just as it is for many players against Federer, Dolgopolov’s head-to-head history is less than encouraging. The Ukrainian retired while trailing Federer 6-4, 5-2 in the 2010 Basel first round. He later lost to the 17-time major champion 6-3, 6-1 at the 2014 Indian Wells Masters. In search of a fifth Australian Open title, Federer thrashed Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 in one hour and 12 minutes on Monday. Dolgopolov isn’t Basilashvili–in fact, he is one of the best unseeded players in the field–but he won’t have the game or the belief with which to come close to an upset. Federer 6-3, 7-6(3), 6-3.
Pete: Federer once again exhibited his dominating presence in the early rounds of a major when he dropped just five games in thrashing Basilashvili in the opening round. While he will face a stronger foe on Wednesday Dolgopolov, this second-round match will seem like a “shoot-around” for the Swiss, especially since Dolgopolov has not played solid tennis since last August–when he scared the daylights out of world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the Cincinnati semifinals. While the Ukrainian has the talent to threaten the best in the game, it will once again be business as usual for Federer in week one. Federer 6-2, 6-4, 6-3.
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(19) Dominic Thiem vs. Nicolas Almagro
Ricky: After missing the second half of 2014 because of a foot injury, Almagro’s 2015 comeback was mostly slow-going. The Spaniard faced a fellow injury-plagued veteran in Julien Benneteau during first-round action, advancing in straight sets. An in-form Thiem will be a much tougher test. The 22-year-old Austrian should have settled down following a difficult opening matchup. Not only was he coming off a retirement in Sydney (foot blister), but he also had to face the third-highest ranked unseeded player in the tournament in Leonardo Mayer. Thiem impressively survived in four. The one-handed backhand display in this one will be sweet, but Thiem is on the rise whereas Almagro appears to be on the way down. Thiem 6-2, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3.
Pete: Thiem continued to make strides on hard courts in 2015, advancing to the Miami quarterfinals and threatening Andy Murray along the way. Just a few weeks ago, Thiem recorded an impressive hard-court win over former U.S. Open Champion Marin Cilic in the Brisbane quarters. Former top 10 player Almagro has not been the same since retiring in the first round of play at Roland Garros in 2014. While Almagro is still attempting to find his way back to pre-injury form, his best results last year were on clay. Thiem will continue to progress in 2016 and reach the third round Down Under for the first time in his career. Thiem 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 6-2.
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(Q) Pierre-Hugues Herbert vs. (WC) Noah Rubin
Ricky: Rubin took out No. 17 seed Benoit Paire in straight sets then promptly got called a “not good player” by the Frenchman. If Rubin isn’t good, what does that make Paire? Whatever the case, the American has to be feeling sky-high following a 7-6(4), 7-6(6), 7-6(5) victory that was by far the biggest of his professional career. Herbert scraped through qualifying to get into the main draw before beating Pablo Andujar in four sets. This will be a fun matchup between the 23-year-old Herbert and the 19-year-old Rubin. Although this Frenchman is not as talented as Paire, he is mentally stronger. Herbert 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-2.
Pete: Can Rubin, ranked No. 328 in the world, manage to knock off a second consecutive Frenchman? The USTA Australian Open Wild Card winner absolutely stunned Paire in the opening round, winning three straight tiebreakers. Next up will be a qualifier in Herbert, who engineered an amazing run all the way to the Winston-Salem final last summer, winning eight matches before competing very well against champion Kevin Anderson. Herbert will be playing with house money in this match as he won his final qualifying contest 9-7 in the third set against Edouard Roger-Vasselin and erased a one-set deficit on Monday against Andujar. Expect the doubles expert to rely on his crafty experience to advance. Herbert 7-6(4), 5-7, 6-3, 7-6(5).
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Denis Kudla vs. (28) Andreas Seppi
Ricky: Neither man is any stranger to five-set marathons Down Under. Of Seppi’s 21 career Australian Open matches, an incredible 10 have have gone the distance. In last year’s first round, Kudla lost to Lopez 10-8 in the fifth. Another one could be in store on Wednesday, even though Seppi is ranked 40 spots ahead of his opponent (28th to 68th). The Italian’s form has been mediocre of late and he is coming off a lengthy four-set battled against Teymuraz Gabashvili. Kudla, on the other hand, was crushing Filip Krajinovic through two sets before the Serb retired. This one has five written all over it, with Seppi having a slight edge due to his experience and level-headedness in pressure moments. Seppi 5-7, 7-5, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4.
Pete: Seppi lost five of his last six matches on hard courts to close out 2015. Meanwhile, he also lost two more matches to players ranked significantly lower than him prior to arriving in Melbourne. In the Italian’s opening-round win, Gabashvili actually won four more total points. But wait–we are talking about the Australian Open, the scene of Seppi’s shocking third-round upset of Federer last year. Kudla, meanwhile, is making his second-round debut at the Australian Open in four tries. Kudla should surpass his career-high ranking of world No. 65 with his opening-round win, but Seppi is playing in his 43rd consecutive major and sees Kudla as a mere impediment on his way to a likely third-round match against Djokovic. Seppi is determined to have a crack at being able to top his signature win of last year at the same venue and in the same round. Seppi 6-2, 7-6(2), 7-5.
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who ya got?
Kudla in four fed in three losing twelve games or fewer thiem in four and Rubin in four.
Kudla in 5 Fed in 3 Thiem in 5 and Herbert in 4
I hope Dolgo can play well and gives us some good tennis vs Fed even though he’s not going to win. Two attacking players at each other should be something to watch.
You guys are very high on theim. Isn’t this known to choke under clutch situations?
Thiem won in straight sets!
I always like to watch Dolgo because he’s so unpredictable, but can come up with some brilliant shotmaking. When he gets hot, then he can be dangerous. However, I do not expect Dolgo to have a shot at beating Fed.
Voted for Dolgo to get a set. Fed in 4. But hoping for Dog in 4 or 5. Time for Dolgo to this. Go Dog!
Oops, forgot to make my picks.
I think Fed will win in 3 sets, losing 12 or fewer games.
Thiem in 4 sets over Almagro.
I am not picking between Hebert and Rubin. Not familiar enough with either guy.
I will go with Kudla in 4 sets over Seppi.
Herbert is mentally stronger than Paire? Are we watching the same player. He’s flaky even at Challenger level.
way stronger than Paire!
This is true but from what I saw from Rubin he is mentally strong as well so I’m picking him. A P2H win wouldn’t surprise me though. I’ll be rooting for the American of course. ALLEZ NOAH!!
Okay, yes Herbert is stronger or more stable mentally. I like Benoit’s flair and tennis over Pierre’s, when BP is on a good day. Have to go with PH2 in 3. Haven’t seen enough of Rubin to pick the 19 yr. old and PH2 is my bracket pick – I need all the points I can get!
which isn’t saying a lot!
Fed in straights unless he’s on the takes.
I’m watching Fed v Dog. But not sure for how long. It’s going to bug me if Dog loses but it might be worth it if Dolgo can relax enough to get in a creative flow. But that’s a big IF. Federer gets the break…
Go Goffin. He’s maybe over the problem he had 2nd set.
So far they are on serve. No breaks yet.
Fed just got the break, Nny.
ratcliff,
Yes it happened so quickly after I typed no breaks yet!
The best thing about Fed beating Dog, Nny? I’ll get a couple bracket points.
Not going to watch it unless I see the score getting tight. Hmm, following score 2nd set still on serve. Fed must be serving well, that was a quick hold. Federer does have a great serve. It has served him well over the decade.
Watching Thiem v Almagro. I like Nico but he’s not having the best day at the office.
Federer is still a great player (regardless of age).
Just like in 2011-12 Rafa who lost three consecutive slam finals to Nole , if it wasn’t for Nole, Fed would have three slams out of last six.
Doesn’t look like this is Dolgo’s day to cause an upset or even get a set.
Trying to stay awake for Dimitrov v Trungelliti.
Hawkstradamus called it in str8s.
lol, indeed you are good…this time 😉
Its amazing how easy Roger makes it look. Rafa would have been out there huffing and puffing, trading breaks with the Dog! Fix the serve soon Rafa. 🙁
Federer is still a great player.
This 35 (almost) year old Federer is so much better than any player in the past at that age.
Agassi could barely play.
Most players bodies break down or they lose several steps.
Nole will likely be the same.
I’d bet on it. Hawkstra
um, Fed’s going to run away with it now. He’s a break up in the decider and has that bouncy walk between points – don’t know what to call it but he does that when his confidence is soaring. lol, as I type that he double faults but follows it up with an ace…
Suddenly he holds 3-1
Fed will saunter to the semis and only Nole can stop him but I give fed a 40% chance with Rod Laver playing faster than usual.
saunter to the semi’s. That’s what he’ll try to do. We’ll see.
Saunter is the right word.
Dimonator twitter is hilarious this evening. Ricky on a Roll.
Yeah exactly. Without a great serve its harder to win on the HCs. I blame Toni for not having the foresight.
Where’s the Dimitrov thread?
This is the first time I’ve seen Trungelleti. I might like him.
interesting look
Agassi called
…he wanted his hat and hair back.
What I saw of the match, that was not the best tennis from Dimi – he looked distracted to me. Dimi will bring it v Fed!
Nope. Fed in three.
I’m on a roll picking Fed in three and Radwanska in two last night plus leading the Tourneytopia pool.
I’ve created a monster.
#HawkstradamusHasSpoken
outta control…..lololol…
Ah, thanks for your help rats. Finally figured out the comment section!!!
#Excited
The Seppinator in four is the call.
Hhahahhahahahahhahahahhahaha
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Federer’s 25 aces vs. Dolgopolov tied for the most on record in his career in a two- or three-set tour-level match. http://www.tennisabstract.com/cgi-bin/player.cgi?p=RogerFederer&f=ACareerqqC2P3i7i8w1 …
#Ageless