Radek Stepanek faces a tough Barcelona opener on Monday against Ernests Gulbis. Ricardas Berankis and Albert Montanes are also in action.
Radek Stepanek vs. (Q) Ernests Gulbis
Stepanek and Gulbis will be going head-to-head for the third time in their careers when they meet in round one of the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell on Monday. Gulbis has won both of their previous encounters; 6-4, 6-4 at the 2009 Tokyo event and 7-6(5), 7-5 a few months later in Memphis.
It has been a tale of two seasons for these two competitors. Stepanek did not play a match after undergoing neck surgery following the Australian Open in late January until Monte-Carlo (he lost to Albert Ramos 6-3, 6-3 in round one). The 34-year-old Czech, who advanced one round in Sydney and two rounds in Melbourne, registers at 46th in the world. Gulbis suffered a disappointing and somewhat controversial loss to Juan Monaco last week in Monte-Carlo, but he is still an impressive 14-4 at the ATP main-draw level for the season. The 56th-ranked Latvian won the Delray Beach title, qualified for Indian Wells and reached the fourth round, then beat John Isner in Monte-Carlo before his setback against Monaco.
Nothing bodes well for Stepanek heading into this one, other than the fact that he is at least back on the tennis court. Gulbis has never lost a set to his veteran opponent and he is playing far better now than he was during their two previous encounters. The clay-court surface also favors Gulbis, who should still be playing with confidence having eased through two qualifying matches on Saturday and Sunday.
Pick: Gulbis in 2
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Ricardas Berankis vs. (WC) Albert Montanes
Berankis and Montanes will be squaring off for the first time in their careers on Monday in Barcelona. Montanes virtually disappeared early in 2012, but he is starting to resurface this season at 32 years old. The veteran Spaniard reached the quarterfinals in Sao Paulo and he beat Gael Monfils in the Monte-Carlo first round before succumbing to Stanislas Wawrinka.
At the other end of his career spectrum, Berankis is 22 years old and well inside the Top 100 at 70th in the world. The Lithuanian battled back from various injuries to have a successful hard-court summer in 2012 and he remains in fine form. Berankis advanced two rounds at the Australian Open before enjoying quarterfinal showings in Delray Beach and Houston. The edge in current form goes to the youngster, but clay will help Montanes withstand his opponent’s slightly superior firepower from the back of the court.
Pick: Montanes in 3
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