Julien Benneteau is still in search of his first career ATP title as he takes the court against Bernard Tomic on Wednesday in Eastbourne. Andreas Seppi, the 2011 champion of this tournament, is facing Ryan Harrison.
Julien Benneteau vs. Bernard Tomic
Benneteau and Tomic will be colliding for the fourth time in their careers when they do battle in round two of the Aegon International on Wednesday. Their only previous ATP-level encounter came last year on the hard courts of Brisbane, where Tomic prevailed 6-2, 4-6, 7-5. Benneteau, though, won their other two encounters at qualifying events in 2011 (6-7(5), 6-4, 6-3 in Monte-Carlo and 7-6(4), 6-7(3), 6-1 in Cincinnati).
Tomic has been mired in a slump–perhaps in part due to off-court issues–since a stellar start to his 2013 campaign during the Australian summer. The 64th-ranked Aussie had lost four matches in a row dating back to Barcelona before a much-needed 6-3, 6-4 victory over James Ward in the Eastbourne first round. Benneteau booked his spot in this clash by taking out sixth-seeded Kevin Anderson 7-6(4), 6-2 on Tuesday. The 32nd-ranked Frenchman is now 16-14 for the season. Benneteau has not exactly been on fire of late, but he should still be playing with far more confidence than his opponent.
Pick: Benneteau in 2
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(7) Andreas Seppi vs. (Q) Ryan Harrison
Seppi and Harrison will be squaring off for the second time in their careers and for the second time at this same Aegon International event when they meet again on Wednesday. They faced each other last year during semifinal action, when Seppi prevailed 7-5, 6-1 on his way to a second consecutive final and a runner-up finish to Andy Roddick. The 26th-ranked Italian triumphed one season earlier in Eastbourne for the only grass-court title of his career. Seppi has cooled off a bit in 2013 after an awesome 2012 campaign, but he did well to overcome Guillaume Rufin 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Monday.
Harrison is the second straight qualifier for Seppi. After making his way into the main draw, the 21-year-old American battled past Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(4). Harrison is a dismal 6-12 at the ATP level this season and he had lost three matches in a row prior to his arrival in Eastbourne, but he has to have gained some confidence. Four wins under his belt plus his semifinal showing last year can only help the world No. 84. Still, Harrison’s serve can be a liability and even on grass he will be hard-pressed to hold enough times to upset a returner and counter-puncher of Seppi’s ability.
Pick: Seppi in 2
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