French Open Day 6 picks, including Berdych vs. Bautista Agut and Isner vs. Robredo

May 29, 2014 Ricky Predictions 0

The Grandstand’s Ricky Dimon and Joey Hanf of The Tennis Nerds preview and pick four of the best men’s singles matches on Friday at Roland Garros. Among those in third-round action is Tomas Berdych, who will get another shot at Roberto Bautista Agut after losing to the Spaniard in Indian Wells.

(6) Tomas Berdych vs. (27) Robeto Bautista Agut

Ricky: This is one of five third-round showdowns that are rematches from Indian Wells earlier this spring. Bautista Agut got the best of Berdych there, winning 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 to take a 2-1 lead in the head-to-head series. It was no fluke, either. After all, the Spaniard had already upset Juan Martin Del Potro at the Australian Open and he later reached the Madrid semifinals. Berdych is a former French Open semifinalist, but he would obviously prefer to contest this one on anything other than clay. Over a best-of-five on the slow stuff, RBA may be able to withstand the blows and outlast the bigger hitter.  Bautista Agut 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-4.

Joey: This has been an incredible breakout year for Bautista Agut, who won so many matches earlier that he earned himself a seed at the French Open. It came out of relatively nowhere, as Bautista Agut had hung around 100th in the world for the last two years. Berdych has been, well, very Berdych-like this year; very solid results all around and he won a title in Rotterdam. The two recently met in Indian Wells and Bautista Agut pulled off the upset in three sets. Both guys hit big, flat strokes from the baseline, and it’s really a matter of who can get the control of the rallies. Clay is Berdych’s worst surface, while RBA loves it…so this once should be very, very close. RBA will grind to the death and make Berdych hit just a few too many extra balls. Bautista Agut 2-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-4.

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(17) Tommy Robredo vs. (10) John Isner

Ricky: On an American hard court, Isner would have a massive edge. In peak form on clay, Robredo would likely have a decent advantage. Neither is the case here. Robredo will enjoy the surface, but his 2014 campaign has been a disappointment relative to an awesome 2013 that was highlighted by performances at the French Open and U.S. Open. Crucially for Isner, the big guy conserved energy by avoiding long matches in his first two rounds. He managed to just barely hold off Mikhail Kukushkin on Wednesday before going to a fifth set. Also, Friday is expected to be sunny and somewhat warm. That’s bad news for Robredo, who would prefer conditions similar to those of the first five days. Isner 7-6(6), 6-7(7), 7-6(5), 6-4.

Joey: Robredo has played some memorable matches at Roland Garros in the past, including last year when he came back from two sets to love down an amazing three matches in a row. He’s had a slightly down season thus far, only reaching one semifinal (Buenos Aires). Isner has gotten through his two matches will relative ease, only dropping one set. It’s always important for the American to get through his early-round matches quickly so that he has enough energy later in the tournament. Robredo will likely be standing at the back fence of Court 1 to return serve and it will be interesting to see how often Isner uses the kick serve to pull Robredo off the court. The most important thing is that Isner does not get in protracted exchanges that have him on the defensive. Isner 7-6(5), 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-7(5), 10-8.

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(13) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs. (22) Jerzy Janowicz

Ricky: This intriguing, big-hitting matchup features two men who were thought to be no worse than outside contenders for London berths in 2014. To say that is not the case after five months would be an understatement. Janowicz’s French Open performance so far may be more surprising, but only because he was in outrageously dismal form leading up to it. Tsonga, who was at least winning matches every now and then, took care of Edouard Roger-Vasselin in straights then destroyed Jurgen Melzer. Playing at home and once again thriving in a major atmosphere, Tsonga suddenly looks like a man on a mission. Tsonga 6-4, 7-6(2), 6-2.

Joey: The crowd on Chatrier should be electric for this one. Both Tsonga and Janowicz have had subpar seasons, especially the Pole. However, Tsonga loves playing in front of a home crowd and Janowicz seems to be regaining some form this week. Tsonga’s movement is excellent and Janowicz is probably the best mover on clay of all the big guys on tour. Tsonga will look to dictate with his forehand, while Janowicz will want to play first-strike tennis off of both sides. The No. 22 seed’s forehand can be lethal, but it’s also prone to break down. If Janowicz can manage his forehand, this match should be close. Either way, Tsonga will feed off the energy in the crowd and pull this one out. Tsonga 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-2.

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Marcel Granollers vs. Martin Klizan

Ricky: Perhaps one of the most overlooked and surprising stats of this season is that Klizan is an incredible 16-4 at the ATP level. That record includes a recent clay-court title in Munich, from which he has not looked back. The Slovak thrashed Kei Nishikori in round one then battled past Robin Haase 7-5 in the fifth on Wednesday. Granollers came back from two sets to love down to upset Alexandr Dolgopolov, but the Spaniard got an obvious assist from an injured Ukrainian. Klizan 6-2, 7-5, 2-6, 6-4.

Joey: Many people expected Nishikori to be in this spot of the draw, but a small injury combined with some inspired play from Klizan has led us to a surprise third-round matchup. Klizan has regained some of the form that saw him get to a career high ranking of 26th in the world in in 2012-13. He qualified and won the tournament in Munich last month and is hitting his forehand huge right now. You pretty much know what you’re going to get from Granollers. He plays very steady and likes to come into the net when he gets the chance. You can also expect this match to be fairly loud, because both guys have pretty impressive grunts…if you’re impressed by that sort of thing. Klizan 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-3, 7-5.

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207 Comments on French Open Day 6 picks, including Berdych vs. Bautista Agut and Isner vs. Robredo

  2. I think it’s going to be quite a battle with Berdy and RBA. I do think this match will be very close and may turn on a few points. I am going with RBA because it’s clay, because he’s had a breakout year and seems to be hot right now. I think it will go four or five sets. Should be a good one!

    I think it’s also going to be a battle with Robredo and Isner. Normally on the clay, I would go with Robredo but he has not been in good form lately. It’s true that Isner didn’t have any marathon matches so far and should have enough energy for this one. Isner has shown that he can play on clay, so I think he will get the win in four or five sets.

    I think it’s going to be Tsonga over Janowicz, especially since it’s RG and he always seems to come to life here. Tsonga hasn’t done much this year, but this place seems to light a fire under him. I keep waiting for Janowicz to come out of his slump. But I don’t think he’s going to get the win here at RG. Tsonga in three sets.

    Granollers /Klizan is the easiest for me. Klizan is looking good right now. I think he gets the win over Granollers in four sets.

    Reply

  4. Just tuned into the Gulbis match. He is not endearing himself to the crowd!
    His behaviour is obnoxious and I find those manic staring eyes creepy. Bet he has an evil temper.

    Reply

  14. LOL @ gulbis’s press conference

    Q. You have two younger sisters that play tennis, as well. Are they going to be as good as you? When was the last time you played with hem?

    ERNESTS GULBIS: Hopefully they will not pursue professional tennis career. Hopefully. Because for a woman, it’s tough. I wouldn’t like my sisters to become professional tennis players. It’s tough choice of life.
    A woman needs to enjoy life a little bit more. Needs to think about family, needs to think about kids. What kids you can think about until age of 27 if you’re playing professional tennis, you know.
    That’s tough for a woman, I think.

    http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/tennis-busted-racquet/ernests-gulbis-french-open-4th-round-incur-wrath-131706527–ten.html

    Reply

    • Just. Wow.

      Still like him for his refusal to kiss up to anybody, especially the French crowd!

      (But that sexism didn’t help.)

      Gulbis is one of those wild cards that can take out any player on any given day but I’m with ritb, I don’t trust him vs. Nole so I’d rather see Fed get through.

      On another note, Cilic, the “difificult” 3rd round draw about to go out in straights.

      #AntijinxingsInFullEffect

      Reply

  15. If they have a rain break now would Djoker be having a drink with a ball boy with Cilic about to take the 3rd set?

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  16. I’m sticking with my pool picks, Berdych and Robredo.

    Surprised the picks above are for Izzy. He’s been somewhat fortunate to get this far.

    Speaking of pool picks, only four entrants and two of them are from the same person (no fair).

    #DimonChickenedOut

    Reply

  17. Well done to Cilic. He stepped up the aggression without making many errors. His game plan is very difficult to sustain against djokovic ,though. Novak in 4 is the most probable outcome from here but we do have a match here..

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  26. Djoko seriously out of his comfort zone. In the first set he was applauding Cilic shots and being praised for it by the commies. Haven’t seen him do recently 🙂

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  33. The worst part is Marin made 4 unforced errors to lose that last game :(. But kudos to Novak for weathering the storm.
    He applauded Marin when he was a break up in the fourth but was left shaking his head when Marin started hitting winnners past him.

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  34. RT @NeilHarmanTimes: “Terrible shame it had to end on a DF, Marin Cilic loses in four to @DjokerNole who plays either JWT or Jerzy J in 4th rd”

    I’m sure Djoker will empathise……….

    Reply

      • @netrush,

        Yes to this! One can’t judge Novak’s form by his matches against others. Also he’s not going to be playing his absolute best right now. The point is to get through the early rounds. If you drop a set here and there or have a tough match it doesn’t matter in the end as long as you win.

        Reply

    • LOL…you think rafa thinks nole is invincible? rafa actually knows he’s the daddy , at least on clay. He was pretty relaxed after losing rome…

      Reply

  42. Gulbis won’t believe against Fed and won’t believe he should make it to the QF of a second major whereas Fed will be better next match as he plays his way into form.

    #HoppSuisse

    Reply

  43. I’m not sure whether I prefer Jerzy or Tsonga to play Djoker in the next round. Tsonga has history against Nole but is so unpredictable.

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    • Don’t think there’s much of a choice there: Jerzy’s in an indefinite funk while Tsonga is in an unpredictable one! Better the latter tbh, who knows, he might be on a high on the day he meets Djoker………….

      Reply

  45. Glad I’m not watching the Bore-edo and Izzzzzner match live. 3 TBs? Surprised with Berd, I picked him to lose in 5.

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  48. This Robredo/Isner match could last an eternity. Wonder if any other match has ever gone 4 tie breaks (still in the 4th set on this one) and then beyond the normal number of sets in the 5th (since there’s no tie break in the 5th at RG).

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  49. TBird dispatches RBA in 4, TRob or Izzy next. I doubt Fed will be in the semi. He can get through Gulbis but I doubt he gets past TBird

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    • I honestly don’t @nadline10. The one I thought was a genuine contender to take Nole out (Fed) is not looking good tbh. The rest do not have the mental fortitude to stay with Novak, even if they should beat him.

      Reply

  55. What I wanna know is: is anyone watching Gillou/Raonic?

    Scoreboard says neither is perturbed by the other’s game…………..

    Reply

  59. RT @SteveTignor : “Jo-Willy bringing the “Allez!”, and the Wave, in Lenglen. Up 2 sets on Janowicz. Winner plays Djokovic. #RG14″

    Bring it on Sunday, Jo-Willy!!

    Reply

  61. So Isner get the win in four. At least my pick for that one was right. I am surprised to hear that Berdy beat RBA. He must be playing well.

    As far as Fed/Gulbis, I think Fed is going to win that one. Gulbis can make it interesting if he decides to come out and play well, but I still think Fed will win.

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  66. RT @NeilHarmanTimes: “I must say I rather miss the wooden park benches the players used to use at changeovers on Chatrier. These steel things aren’t chic at all”

    Steel benches on Chatrier? This is all Novak’s doing surely, that mauling he gave the Perrier wooden bench in 2012???

    Reply

  68. RT @bgtennisnation: “Simon Sez takes the 1st set on the Missile Raonic 1st time French crowd really getting behind, + playing much more aggressive ball here”

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  82. Raonic needs to pinch himself, anything, to get out of this funk! Gillou’s growing in confidence out there

    Reply

  83. I’m loving watching Gillou playing this way again. Just like the old days 🙂
    He’s in his element on Chartrier. Raonic has his work cut out to salvage his pride.

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  85. Still can’t my head round the punishment Gillou’s “chicken legs” take……….and he’s still running around strong!

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  89. I am surprised to see Simon turn back the clock and look more like his old self. Raonic can’t seem to handle all the shots that keep coming back from Simon.

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  90. Gillou has faded and Raonic has got the momentum now. They will have to come back tomorrow to play their fifth set which Raonic is sure to win.

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  108. Raonic breaks right back! Now he must compose himself and close this out………..Gillou is incandescent…..

    Reply

  112. RT @ESPNTennis : “Raonic survives Simon 7-5 in the fifth to become first Canadian man to ever reach round of 16 @rolandgarros #RG14 #ESPNTennis”

    #History

    Reply

  113. There’s a battle royale going on between Klizan and Granollers. 3hr 25min to play 3sets Granollers leads 2.1 as play is stopped.

    #ToBeContinued

    Reply

  114. So the French didn’t postpone after all! Don’t you hate when that happens? 😀

    I heard that Klizan and Granollers were tied at a set apiece, in a third set tb when the match was postponed due to darkness. So they will have to come back tomorrow to finish the match.

    Reply

      • I didn’t recall them saying that on the tennis channel. I guess it’s possible that the tb was still going on at that point.

        Anyway, thanks for the update. So Granollers is now leading 2 sets to 1 when they resume play tomorrow. That is surprising.

        Reply

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