Former runner-up John Isner survived a major scare in round two and he will next face Ricardas Berankis on Friday in Houston. Juan Monaco and Robby Ginepri are also battling for a place in the semifinals.
(5) John Isner vs. Ricardas Berankis
Isner’s ranking has been on a slippery downhill slope as he heads into quarterfinal action at the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship on Friday. The 6’9” American is a mediocre-at-best 9-8 for the season and he is down at No. 23 in the world after peaking in the Top 10 last year. Isner, the 2012 Houston runner-up, got past Ryan Harrison in straight sets in his opener before surviving Jack Sock 7-5, 6-7(3), 7-6(3) on Thursday.
Up next for the fifth seed is a first-ever meeting with Berankis, who was also on thin ice at one point this week. The 77th-ranked Lithuanian overcame Jesse Levine 6-7(3), 7-5, 6-4 in round one then upset No. 2 seed Tommy Haas 6-3, 6-3. Berankis, four spots off his career-high ranking, is a stellar 8-3 at the ATP main-draw level–which includes a third-round performance at the Australian Open.
His surprisingly routine ousting of Haas was impressive, especially since Berankis has never been a stalwart on clay. It also bodes well for his chances in this one, but Isner is no slouch on this surface. In addition to last year’s Houston run, Isner also beat Roger Federer and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on the slow stuff. He will have to serve well to do it, but Isner should get the job done.
Pick: Isner in 3
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(3) Juan Monaco vs. (Q) Robby Ginepri
Monaco and Ginepri will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers on Friday. Their only previous encounter came five years ago on the clay courts of Poertschach, where Monaco prevailed 7-5, 7-6(3).
It’s almost hard to believe that Ginepri is still plugging away at 30 years old after a series of well-documented injuries. The 283rd-ranked American is getting his game back in shape this season with a Futures title, a runner-up finish at the Dallas Challenger, and successful qualification in Miami. So far this week he has qualified for the main draw and dismissed Michael Russell and solid clay-courter Martin Alund.
Monaco has been in dismal form throughout the start of 2013, in part due to physical problems. The defending Houston champion had not won a single match at a tournament before beating Tim Smyczek 7-6(5), 6-1 on Thursday night. Monaco, however, has won three Davis Cup singles matches for Argentina (all on clay)–including a straight-setter last weekend over Gilles Simon. The world No. 18 should finally be playing with some confidence, so look for him to give Ginepri a clay-court lesson.
Pick: Monaco in 2
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