Barcelona R3 previews and picks: Almagro vs. Verdasco, Kohlschreiber vs. Melzer

At least on paper, the best match on Thursday at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell will be contested between two Spaniards who just faced each other in the Houston final. Verdasco got the better of Almagro 6-3, 7-6(4) in that one. Barcelona is a tournament in which all of the Spanish players take a lot of pride and 12 men in the initial field hailed from Spain. Verdasco had a bye in the first round and then cruised by Kenny De Schepper 6-4 6-3 on Wednesday. Almagro is still trying to find his best form after battling a shoulder injury all year. He defeated Martin Klizan 7-5 7-6(4) in his tournament opener.

Both men have spent time in the top 10 and a large amount of their success comes on clay. The matchup is interesting, because although their strokes are significantly different, they play a similar, aggressive style. When these two are on their game, the shot-making they can produce is great to watch. Verdasco’s forehand and Almagro’s backhand are some of best strokes on tour. Verdasco loves to go cross-court, which feeds right into Almagro’s strength–the backhand. Verdasco holds a somewhat surprising advantage in the head-to-head series, leading 7-3 overall with four wins in a row on clay. Almagro’s serve is an important part of his game and he has not been able to generate as much pace the last four months due to his shoulder issues. Verdasco is confident and he is a scary-talented player when his head is in the right place.

Pick: Verdasco in 3[polldaddy poll=7990947]

While some of the center-court matches may better pique fans’ interest on Thursday, this encounter between two veterans has potential to be great. Kohlschreiber, the consummate professional, faces Melzer, a lefty shot-maker trying to regain traction on the tour. This is only the second tournament Melzer has playing in 2014 and his Barcelona victories over Mikhail Kukushkin and Jerzy Janowicz were his first of the season after sitting out with a persistent left shoulder injury. Kohlschreiber has had a mediocre start to the year, reaching a semifinal on only one occasion. His victory over Edouard Roger-Vasselin was his 12th win in 2014.

Kohlschreiber leads the head-to-head series 3-0, but it is surprising that they have squared off just three times. Both players have been around the top 20 for most of their careers and you would have expected them to face each more often. Interestingly enough, Melzer has received two walkovers from Kohlshreiber. Each man has had success on clay in the past. Kohlschreiber has two titles on the the red dirt, while Melzer has one. Melzer plays an unconventional style for a lefty, because he really likes to change the direction of the ball and go down the line. His flat strokes can go off when he is out of rhythm, but Kohlschreiber’s ball should sit up nicely for the Austrian. Melzer will be motivated to get his ranking back up into the top 50 after falling to No. 73 due to injury. Expect a battle, with Melzer having the advantage as he can finish points just a little bit easier.

Pick: Melzer in 3[polldaddy poll=7990956]