The Grandstand’s Ricky Dimon and Jared Pine of The Second Serb preview and pick the best men’s singles matchups on Day 3 of the Australian Open. This is the third of 13 installments of expert picks during the season’s first Grand Slam.
Sam Querrey vs. (23) Ernests Gulbis
Ricky: Juan Monaco is a shadow of his former self right now, but any Grand Slam win for Gulbis is a good one. The Latvian did especially well mentally, coming back from a set down and taking the third in a tiebreaker before cruising in four. Santiago Giraldo is actually underrated on hard courts, but Querrey still should have finished him off long before a fourth-set tiebreaker. This ball-bashing affair between two erratic players will likely be back and forth, but of late Gulbis’ serve and backhand have seemed more reliable than Querrey’s serve and forehand. Gulbis 7-5, 2-6, 6-2, 7-6(3).
Jared: These two combined for all of the last four titles won in Los Angeles, which was taken off the tour after Querrey won it in 2012. The last time the pair met was in the round of 16 in Delray Beach, where Gulbis won in a third-set tiebreaker on his way to the title. Both players have a lot of power and will litter up the stat sheet. Gulbis is more solid off the backhand, so I give him the edge. Gulbis 7-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-5.
[polldaddy poll=7714627]
(17) Tommy Robredo vs. Julien Benneteau
Ricky: Both of these veterans have a new lease on Australian Open life after surviving five-setters on Monday. Robredo had an excuse being extended the distance by Lukas Rosol, as an arm injury has plagued him at the beginning of this season. Benneteau had a relatively tough draw against an in-form Pablo Carreno Busta. Robredo plated considerably better than Benneteau in 2013, but the arm is a concern–especially after a long, tough match. Benneteau 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-2.
Jared: This pair combined for six hours and 35 minutes of play on Monday. Robredo won his 14th career five-set match, defeating Rosol 8-6 in the fifth. For most tennis players, it would be difficult to bounce back from a five-set match with a tough opponent like Benneteau waiting in the next round…but not for Robredo. At Roland Garros last year he not only won three consecutive five-set matches, but he also came back from two sets down in each match. Benneteau had to beat another Spaniard in five sets in the first round. This match is scheduled to be played in the middle of the day, which is forecasted to be 106 degrees. It will be a battle of fitness, not tennis. Robredo 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-2.
[polldaddy poll=7714633]
(29) Jeremy Chardy vs. Alexandr Dolgopolov
Ricky: Dolgopolov is a mercurial character, and not just because of the Gilbert’s Syndrome that often zaps his energy. His style of play also contributes to inconsistency. The Ukrainian destroyed Jerzy Janowicz in Sydney but then lost easily to Bernard Tomic. How will Dolgopolov follow up a solid straight-set win over Ricardas Berankis? Perhaps not so well against an in-form Chardy, who reached the Brisbane semis and torched Jesse Huta Galung in routine straights on Monday. The Frenchman also made a run to the Australian Open quarterfinals last year. Chardy 3-6, 6-2, 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-3.
Jared: Both players have found a lot of success in Melbourne in the past, each reaching quarterfinals. Chardy had all sorts of trouble with his second serve in his first-round win, turning in seven double-faults and winning a mere 35 percent of points behind it. In comparison, Dolgopolov won more than 60 percent of points behind his second serve. Breaks will be at a minimum in this second-round match, so Chardy can’t afford the kind of generosity he showed to Huta Galung. Dolgopolov 6-3, 6-7, 6-4, 6-2.
[polldaddy poll=7714634]
(15) Fabio Fognini vs. Jarkko Nieminen
Ricky: Their only previous encounter came at the 2009 U.S. Open, won by Nieminen 7-5, 7-6(6), 6-4. That result does not mean so much almost five years later, but it is an example of Nieminen’s hard-court prowess and superior mental strength in tight matches. This is an extreme case of a carefree performer (Fognini) going up against a tough, no-nonsense customer (Nieminen). The Finn, a Melbourne quarterfinalist in 2008, should be better able to handle difficult weather conditions–especially on this surface. Nieminen 7-6(2), 3-6, 6-3, 6-1.
Jared: Fognini benefited from a retirement in his first match so he only had to play two sets, while Nieminen was on the court for three hours and 39 minutes. However, this contest will be played later in the day, when it is a little cooler. Nieminen is the more established hard-court player with more than 200 wins on the surface compared to just 39 for Fognini. Nieminen 6-4, 7-6, 6-1.
[polldaddy poll=7714636]
Reblogged this on Tennis Abides.
The Fog for the win!
seriously?
Paire in straight sets.
Oh wait…
He’s gotta win Ricky, otherwise who else is there to watch in that side of the draw?
Gulbis. Altho he will probably lose, too.
Here’s your answer Ricky:
Fabio Fognini def. Jarkko Nieminen 7/5 6/4 3/6 6/2
#TheFog
#NID
Bennetteau, Fabio, Chardy-O and Gulby-O all in four.
Sorry-O, I got carried away-O.
I meant Jarkk-O (not Fabi-O).
#EIEI-O
#jackOlantern
I actually think the bottom half of the draw is going to be just as exciting to watch as the top half. Since all the best players are in the top half, there is all sorts of oppurtunity for someone to breakthrough on the bottom. Roger-Vasselin has a great chance to go deep in the draw. Even Dolgopolov is dangerous to pull off a few upsets if he doesn’t get his energy zapped.
Hehehe, I am not the only one finding Day 3’s OOP yawn-inducing:
RT @juanjosetennis: “*looks at the Australian Open Day 3 schedule* *yawns* *isn’t excited at all*”
it is laughably terrible
RITB – do you tweet?
No, I do not tweet Ricky……….yet. Still considering it….
Ebden-Pospisil
do you think ANYONE in the United States will get up in the middle of the night for that?
^^When I got up this morning, I cared enough to check the score. Does that count?
Another game for Vashy!!!!!!!! First time on Laver against a local yocal and rose to the occasion. Vamos, eh?
Hope he pushes Stanford!
Aside: Does anyone actually like the ATPs Rankings Summary page that forces you to make an extra click to get to the old list?
#1stWorldProblem
no. It is TERRIBLE.
Who knows Ricky? Maybe the lads have relatives in the United States who will get up in the middle of the night to watch their cherubs battle……..
I voted for Gulbis in four, Robredo in four, Dolgo in four and Nieminen in four.
#FoursACrowd
#FORE
Yes, I guess that I am on a four kick!
At least it’s consistent. Then if I am wrong, I am consistently wrong! 🙂
Nadal 3rd on Laver tomorrow afternoon
Gulbis with another broken racket – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TYxoCKa9ec
We should have a greatest hits video of Gulbis doing what he does best – smashing his racket!
I watched bits and pieces of this match and the last part of the 3rd set. Cracked me up when Drysdale said “Sayonara” as Gulbis smashed his racquet. Querrey’s serve was impressive and he very well could end up meeting Novak in the 4th round. I don’t see him beating Novak (although he did beat him the one time), but at least the match might be competitive if Sam could serve like he did tonight.
Gulbis was beyond terrible.
Querrey served amazing but was otherwise mediocre.
I saw the match and agree with Ricky. Gulbis was dreadful.
Gulbis dreadful at a major? Get out…
Lol snowdevil, Gulbis never fails to disappoint does he?
#Idiot
Unfortunately, I’m still in Dubai and they only show RL court so I haven’t been able to choose which matches I want to watch. I only saw about 5 mins of Gulbis vs Querry in the summary.