French Open Day 9 picks: Murray vs. Verdasco, Monfils vs. Garcia-Lopez

June 1, 2014 Ricky Predictions 30

The Grandstand’s Ricky Dimon and Steen Kirby of Tennis East Coast preview and pick two of the best men’s singles matchups on Monday at Roland Garros. Familiar foes Andy Murray and Fernando Verdasco, coming off much different third-rounders, are among those in action.

(24) Fernando Verdasco vs. (7) Andy Murray

Ricky: Murray leads the head-to-head series 9-1. They have never faced each other on clay, in part because Murray generally does not stick around as long in those tournaments as he does on grass or hard courts. He is, however, in stellar form on the slow stuff right now. The Scot extended Rafael Nadal to 7-5 in the third in the Rome quarterfinals and he delivered an impressive, gutsy effort in a 12-10 in the fifth win over Philipp Kohlschreiber in the Roland Garros third round. Verdasco is also in fine form, but his heavy topspin forehand to the backhand side won’t work as well against Murray’s two-hander as against, for example, Richard Gasquet’s one-hander. In what is sure to be a competitive match, Grand Slam experience and mental strength favor Murray. Murray 4-6, 6-3, 7-6, 3-6, 6-3.

Steen: Verdasco just wiped out a clearly not 100 percent Gasquet in straights, while Murray needed two days, five sets, and a 12-10 fifth set to finally dispatch Kohlschreiber, against whom he played well for stretches but totally lost the plot at other points. Murray has won the last four meetings between these two–including a Wimbledon five-setter last year–and though they have never met on clay, a surface that favors Verdasco, Murray has dominated the H2H while losing only once in 10 meetings to the Spanish lefty. Both players have struggled with inconsistency, Murray against Kohlschreiber and Verdasco against Pablo Cuevas, to whom he lost the first two sets. This is not an easy match to pick, but given the H2H and my personal gut feeling, I’m going with Murray in five. Murray 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 9-7.

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Guillermo Garcia-Lopez vs. (23) Gael Monfils

Ricky: Monfils vs. Fabio Fognini could not have been more Monfils-like (and it could not have been more Fognini-like, too, for that matter). But it would also be very typical of Monfils to waste a golden opportunity to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal and even a semifinal. The Frenchman has been to a slam quarterfinal just four times (1-3 in those matches). He’s more about putting on a show than producing results, which is great for fans–but not good for French fans with high expectations. Expectations will be off the charts against an unseeded opponent, but Garcia-Lopez isn’t playing like one. The Spaniard ousted Stan Wawrinka and actually played quite well despite being pushed to five sets against a spirited Donald Young on Saturday. Monfils wasn’t “about to die” against Fognini like he said, but it’s hard to see him being absolutely 100 percent for this one. Garcia-Lopez 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4.

Steen:Both GGL and La Monf survived five-set tests to reach the second week, GGL avoiding a near 2 sets to love up collapse against Donald Young and Monfils winning a clown car circus against Fabio Fognini. Both are questionable coming in, as Monfils still seems nagged by his ankle and GGL hasn’t been overly consistent, so it’s a hard pick, but Monfils is 2-0 career in the clay h2h (though he lost to GGL in Miami this year) and with the crowd behind him, I think Gael will pull himself together for yet another good match and win this one in 4 sets. Monfils 6-4, 1-6, 6-3, 7-6.

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30 Comments on French Open Day 9 picks: Murray vs. Verdasco, Monfils vs. Garcia-Lopez

  4. Clown car circus! Love it! A very apt description of the Monfils/Fognini match.

    As for the picks, I am going with Murray in four.

    I am going back and forth with Monfils and GGL. I think it could honestly go either way. If Monfils isn’t 100%, then that could mean victory for GGL. He’s got a day to recover from his battle with Fognini. It’s a toss up, so I am going with Monfils in four.

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  6. Andy is steadily gaining in confidence and after the scare on Sat/Sun I’m guessing he will be more focussed for this match. Expecting a couple of tie breaks however.
    Murray in 4

    Monfils and GGL is more difficult to call. The Monf as always will play to the crowd which could well be his undoing. OTH Garcia-Lopez is likely to unsettled by the combination of a raucous crowd and the distractions of Monfils.
    Monfils in 5
    Although I would prefer to see a GGL-Murray QF.

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  7. I think that the tough matches may well have helped Andy. Sometimes that’s what you need to get back to your best. Even though it’s been a hard fight, with every victory Andy is picking up rankings points and gaining confidence. This is why I am a little concerned about Rafa. Because he has not been pushed. That is what forces a player to raise his level as we get into the business end of the tournament.

    I think Andy will be ready for Verdasco.

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  10. RT @NeilHarmanTimes: “Sitting near to a very annoying coach who keeps shouting to his player ‘You got this’ She trails 1-4 but who knows?”

    What’s the poor coach supposed to say to his charge, “You’re toast, you pillock??”

    Reply

  11. Aw, wasn’t aware this will be Fer and Muzza’s first meeting on clay:

    RT @bgtennisnation: “Muzzard vs Tabasco 9-1 H2H but they have never played on clay AM would be happy about this matchup”

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  12. RT @NeilHarmanTimes: “Kevin Anderson just blew his nose into his towel which I presume he will now hand to a ball-kid. Towelgate needs to be resolved”

    Well, Anderson’s not bearing down on 17 Slams so this affront to human civilization will not be examined, mulled over, repeated ad infinitum by everyday journos, will it Neil?

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  13. I’m going against the grain and picking GGL. He looke so composed against Stan…he’s on a mission and Gael may not have enough left in the tank, even at RG!….and I’ll take Vco over Murray, though Murray vs Kohl was some of the most fun tennis of the year!!

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  14. I am going with Monfils this time…I thing GGL has already reached his highest this time around and he shall be mentally wasted…the crowd is left with Monfils and they will back him up all the way…they are sick of Spaniards anyway… 🙂
    Andy has this match on his racquet…it depends how he will play…Verda will most likely disappoint like Tsonga did yesterday…so Andy for the win for sure…

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  15. Ferru is scything through his encounter with Anderson. Everything is clicking and he’s posting some fearsome stats. If he goes on like this…………………………………..

    Typical. You would think by the time they get to the last 16 RG could avoid having Andy and Rafa playing their matches at the same time 🙁

    I can watch one on TV and the other on Eurosport Player but I feel for all of you who cant double up. And I fear for my sanity if both get tense at the same time.

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  17. RT @SteveTignor : “”Murray is in black sneakers, and he’s the righty, if you’re trying to figure it out.” Words a tennis commentator shouldn’t need to say.”

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  19. RT @bgtennisnation : “Like what I am seeing from Muzzard looks fresh and using his guile vs Tabasco”

    RT @bgtennisnation: “Wow great start for !a Monf all over 3namer Lopez the French crowd is rocking”

    Reply

  22. Bryans, Nestor/Zimonjic Fall In Quarters.

    Granollers/MarcLo have a good chance here with those out……………….

    Reply

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