French Open Day 3 picks, including Gasquet vs. Tomic and Dimitrov vs. Karlovic

The Grandstand’s Ricky Dimon and Steen Kirby of Tennis East Coast preview and pick four of the best men’s singles matches on Tuesday at Roland Garros. Among those in action are seeds Richard Gasquet and Grigor Dimitrov.

(12) Richard Gasquet vs. Bernard Tomic

Ricky: Gasquet leads the head-to-head series 3-1, but Tomic won their most memorable encounter 7-6(7), 5-7, 7-5, 7-6(5) last year at Wimbledon. That’s not going to happen again–unless Gasquet is still dealing with a back injury, which is very possible. If the Frenchman is healthy, this will be one-way traffic. Tomic has not won a match since Sydney, a stretch that includes his legendary, record-setting 28-minute loss to Jarkko Nieminen in Miami. Of course, Gasquet has not even played a match since Miami. Gasquet 7-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-0.

Steen: Expectations have to be low for this one to some extent given Gasquet hasn’t played a clay-court tournament all year because of a back injury and Tomic is both weaker on clay and without that much match practice back from the abductor injury he sustained at the Aussie Open. Gasquet will have the crowd on his side and is naturally better on clay, thus once he can work his way into his tennis, I think he wins this one in four sets. Gasquet 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-1.

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(32) Andreas Seppi vs. Santiago Giraldo

Ricky: Seppi is no stranger to five-set matches and this particular matchup–at least on paper–has five sets written all over it. It pits the 32nd and final seed against an opponent who missed being seeded by one ranking spot. It also features two players who are skilled on the slow stuff. Unfortunately for Seppi, Giraldo has a decided edge in current form. The Colombian was hands down one of the most consistent performers during the clay-court swing heading into Roland Garros. He has way more confidence than Seppi at the moment. Giraldo 6-2, 7-5, 3-6, 6-2.

Steen: In what could be the best match of the day, Giraldo is a hot commodity right now and has had some great results recently working with Fernando Gonzalez as his coach. Seppi, meanwhile, has struggled all season but he’s a veteran who plays well on clay and can compete when called upon and at least keep things competitive against superior opponents. Giraldo will play much more aggressive and that could result in an easy straight-set win or a real battle if he starts misfiring. He retired in his last match, but if healthy I like Giraldo in four sets. Giraldo 7-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

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Lleyton Hewitt vs. Carlos Berlocq

Ricky: This is the one that’s going five. Book it. Just about everything favors Berlocq, who is more adept on clay than Hewitt and is in far better form (the Argentine won a clay-court title in Oeiras a few weeks ago). Hewitt’s determination, although well-documented, is something that cannot be measured. But it will be a factor. The 33-year-old Aussie has played five-setters in three of his last four and four of his last six Grand Slams. Count on another extremely entertaining and hard-fought contest. Berlocq 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 6-3.

Steen: Berlocq is better on clay than Hewitt and Hewitt has been struggling–losing three straight. The Aussie, however, always tries his hardest to compete in the slams and he’s feisty. Expect a grinding battle in this one, as both players will try to wear down each other’s wall. It’s hard to predict what form Hewitt can conjure, but unless Berlocq really chokes I like him in four sets. Berlocq 7-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-2.
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(11) Grigor Dimitrov vs. Ivo Karlovic

Ricky: They just played each other in Rome (Dimitrov won in straights) and have squared off twice in their careers. Previous encounters involving Karlovic generally help the opponent more than they help the 6’11” Croat. Dimitrov has seen the serve before and knows how to deal with it. He is also, of course, the superior player and way better athlete. The in-form Bulgarian will eventually break down the big man over a best-of-five match on clay, but it won’t be routine. It never is with Karlovic. Dimitrov 6-4, 6-7, 6-3, 6-4.

Steen: Dimitrov just beat Karlovic in Rome and he seems to be playing well right now. With the Dusseldorf finalist probably worn out going in, I don’t see this being that much of a match. I’ll go with Dimitrov to hold his serve the entire way and dispatch Karlovic in straights. Dimitrov 6-4, 7-6, 6-4.

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