Roger Federer will begin his bid for the Brisbane title against fellow veteran Jarkko Nieminen on Wednesday. Grigor Dimitrov and Marin Cilic are also looking for a place in the quarterfinals.
(1) Roger Federer vs. Jarkko Nieminen
Nieminen hopes the new year begins with a new result when it comes to his history against Federer. They will be facing each other for the 14th time in their careers on Wednesday in the second round of the Brisbane International and Federer has won all 13 of their previous encounters. The Swiss is 26-1 lifetime in sets against Nieminen and is 9-0 against the Finn on hard courts.
This is Nieminen’s second match of the week following a 6-2, 6-3 opening dismissal of Aussie wild card James Duckworth. The 32-year-old compiled a 31-27 record last season and he registers at 39th in the world. Under new head coach Stefan Edberg, Federer is looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2013 campaign that has him down at No. 6 in the rankings. On the bright side, the 32-year-old started to play better in the fall–with a runner-up showing in Basel and semifinal performances in Paris and London. This should be relatively competitive, but another straight-set win for Federer is likely in the cards.
Pick: Federer in 2
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(5) Grigor Dimitrov vs. Marin Cilic
Dimitrov and Cilic will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers on Wednesday. Both players are coming off solid first-round victories. Dimitrov eased past Robin Haase 6-2, 6-3 and Marin Cilic turned back Denis Istomin 6-7(3), 7-6(5), 6-4. That was Cilic’s third match since Wimbledon last summer because he sat out for a drug-related suspension before returning at the Paris Masters.
On the flip side, Dimitrov has been playing all kinds of tennis. The 23rd-ranked Bulgarian reached the Stockholm final and won two matches in both Basel and Paris. Cilic’s result against Istomin will do wonders for his confidence, but Dimitrov is still far more match-tough at the moment and that should help him get through a close one.
Pick: Dimitrov in 3
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Reblogged this on Tennis Abides.
Eager to see Roger with his big racquet!!
how did the Fed play?
^^^
RT @pmouratoglou: “Impressed by #Roger’s performance today. He looked in a great physical shape, moving well and super aggressive. Playing very good tennis.”