Novak Djokovic will continue his French Open campaign on Monday against Philipp Kohlschreiber. Tommy Haas and Mikhail Youzhny are also seeking a place in the quarterfinals.
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. (16) Philipp Kohlschreiber
Kohlschreiber and Djokovic will be squaring off for the fourth time in their careers when they collide in the fourth round of the French Open on Monday. Djokovic leads the head-to-head series 2-1, but Kohlschreiber dominated their only previous clay-court encounter 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in round three of this same event in 2009. Both of the Serb’s victories have come at the Indian Wells Masters; 6-3, 6-2 in 2008 and 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(3) in 2010.
Kohlschreiber has benefited from a favorable draw so far this fortnight. The 19th-ranked German dismissed qualifier Jiri Vesely in his opener, got a walkover from Yen-Hsun Lu in the round of 64, then eased past Victor Hanescu 6-0, 7-6(0), 6-1 on Saturday. Kohlschreiber, whose start of the spring was derailed by a hamstring injury, has rounded into form with an 11-5 record during the clay-court swing. Djokovic has enjoyed a similarly routine path through the bracket, although all three of his first-round sets against David Goffin were relatively competitive. The world No. 1 then crushed both Guido Pella and Grigor Dimitrov–who had upset Djokovic last month in Madrid. Still bidding for his first-ever Roland Garros title, Djokovic is 31-4 for his 2013 campaign.
Kohlschreiber has been known to deliver the occasional amazing Grand Slam performance, but lightning is not likely to strike twice in the same place. This is a much different Djokovic from the one who lost to Kohlschreiber four years ago, and he has been ruthless so far this fortnight in his attempt to bounce back from relatively disappointing results in Madrid and Rome. A determined top seed is bad news for Kohlschreiber.
Pick: Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 6-2
[polldaddy poll=7145975]
(12) Tommy Haas vs. (29) Mikhail Youzhny
More than 11 years after their first encounter, Haas and Youzhny will be facing each other for the eighth time in their careers when they clash on Monday. Youzhny leads the head-to-head series 4-3, including 2-0 on clay. They just squared off last month at the Rome Masters, where the Russian prevailed 6-4, 6-3. Their other clay-court meeting came at the Munich event way back in 2002, when Youzhny led by a set and a break before Haas retired. Haas has not come out on top in this matchup since Cincinnati in 2008, which resulted in a 7-6(2), 2-6, 6-4 victory for the German.
Youzhny has quietly taken care of business this fortnight, leaving the headlines to the top three seeds, Gael Monfils, Tommy Robredo, and even Haas. The world No. 31 dropped one set in each of his first two matches against Pablo Andujar and Federico Delbonis before rolling over eighth seed Janko Tipsarevic on Saturday. Youzhny is now 13-12 for the season, which started to improve with a third-round showing in Madrid. Haas also cruised through his first two rounds, taking out both Guillaume Rufin and Jack Sock in straight sets. It all changed on Saturday, when the 35-year-old played a memorable five-setter against John Isner. Haas missed 12 match points in the fourth set then saved one in the fifth before finally outlasting Isner 7-5, 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-7(10), 10-8 in four hours and 37 minutes. The world No. 14 is an outstanding 24-9 for his 2013 campaign, which is highlighted by a semifinal in Miami and a title in Munich.
This should be a high-quality showdown with both veterans in fine form. Youzhny has a slight edge in past history, but the advantage in current form goes to Haas and it just feels like his year and also his tournament–for now–after what transpired in round three. Haas was far fresher than Isner at the end, and although that is not saying a lot, there is reason to be encouraged for chances of a full recovery. This is the only major at which Haas has never reached a quarterfinal, but his time may be now.
Pick: Haas in 4
[polldaddy poll=7145980]
[polldaddy poll=7145082]
[polldaddy poll=7145080]
‘This is the only major at which Haas has never reached a quarterfinal, but his time may be now.’
It had to happen some time. Age and the rigours of the USO finally caught up with Haas. Still surprised it was at the hands of Youzhny 🙁
Whoopsadaisy. Thought this was the US R3 thread.