Roger Federer will take on familiar foe Fernando Verdasco as the Swiss veteran fights for a spot in the Dubai quarterfinals on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Tomas Berdych will face Borna Coric after they both survived final-set tiebreakers in round one.
(2) Roger Federer vs. Fernando Verdasco
The head-to-head between Roger Federer and Fernando Verdasco doesn’t leave much room for interpretation. The Swiss maestro leads 6-0, or–put even more impressively–he is 14-1 in sets against the Spaniard. And yet Federer has revealed a few weaknesses here at the start of the 2019 season. One of his usual victims, Philipp Kohlschreiber (against whom he is now a career 14-0), took a set from Federer in the opening round.
His record against Federer aside, Verdasco is still competing well at age 35. He is ranked 32nd in the world, high enough to just nab a seed at Roland Garros if he can maintain his position. He hasn’t made a deep run yet this year, but none of his losses were first-round ousters either.
Similar to the Kohlschreiber match, there is little danger of an upset. Federer’s familiarity with Verdasco’s game will prevent the underdog from getting two sets; however, a single set wouldn’t be a big surprise.
Cheryl pick: Federer in 3
Ricky pick: Federer in 2
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(6) Borna Coric vs. Tomas Berdych
Borna Coric drew a difficult second-round opponent; in fact, the No. 6 seed drew perhaps Dubai’s most dangerous unseeded player in a resurgent Tomas Berdych. The Czech, ranked 88th in the world, missed the second half of the 2018 season with a back injury.
Berdych has had an impressive comeback so far. The Czech veteran made the final in Doha, the fourth round at the Australian Open, and the semis in Montpellier. He took an early loss to Denis Shapovalov in Rotterdam two weeks ago, but that might help his cause in Dubai–as he comes in better-rested.
Coric and Berdych have met three times, but the wins (all Berdych) came back in 2016 before Coric evolved into the player he is today. Still, despite Berdych’s ranking it’s hard to pick against him in this one based on current form.
Cheryl pick: Berdych in 2
Ricky pick: Berdych in 2
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Fed in 2, Berdy in 2. Coric has not had a good year at all so far.
Yup. He and Khachanov have both been surprisingly ineffective this year. Tsitsipas is still representing, though.
Fed in 2; Berd in 2.