Memphis will continue to have an American flavor as quarterfinal matches take center stage on Friday. John Isner, Sam Querrey, and Donald Young are in action along with Bernard Tomic.
(3) John Isner vs. Sam Querrey
Compatriots and occasional doubles partners, Isner and Querrey will be meeting for the the fourth time in their careers when they battle for a semifinal spot at the Memphis Open on Friday. Querrey leads the head-to-head series 2-1 and their first-ever encounter came in the final of this same Memphis event (except when it was worth 500 points) in 2010. The 6’6” American triumphed 6-7(3), 7-6(5), 6-3 after trailing 5-2 in the second-set tiebreaker. Isner and Querrey have not faced each other since the spring of 2010.
In three trips since to this tournament, Isner has not made it back to the semifinals. However, the No. 3 seed got off to a strong start this time around by beating Ivan Dodig 6-4, 7-6(5) on Wednesday. Querrey has advanced with wins over Benjamin Becker and Jared Donaldson. Isner was outclassed by a red-hot Gilles Muller in the Australian Open third round, but he is not playing poor tennis this season. He will be especially encouraged by 22 aces, one double-fault, and 77 percent serving against Dodig.
Pick: Isner in 2
[polldaddy poll=8652820]
Donald Young vs. Bernard Tomic
Both Young and Tomic are in solid form to start the 2015 campaign and it has led to what will be their first-ever collision on Friday in Memphis. Young made it to the Auckland quarterfinals and advanced one round at the Australian Open before succumbing to Milos Raonic. So far this week the 67th-ranked American has dismissed Adrian Mannarino and Denis Kudla in straight sets.
Tomic has already won nine matches this season, including three in Melbourne prior to an elimination at the hands of Tomas Berdych. The 22-year-old Aussie has advanced in Memphis with defeats of Igor Sijsling and Alexandr Dolgopolov. Tomic’s eclectic style of play should ultimately get the best of an opponent who is easily frustrated when he can’t get into a rhythm, but it won’t be easy.
Pick: Tomic in 3
[polldaddy poll=8653149]
I don’t see anyplace to discuss the Memphis semifinals, but I have been watching them tonight. Finally a tournament in my own time zone!
I saw Anderson beat Young in three sets. Now it’s Nishi versus Querrey in a high quality match. They are in the third set after Nishi won the second set tb to even it up. Querrey has given a good account of himself after beating Isner in the quarterfinals. Nishi has been dealing with some foot issue and had to call the trainer. But this is an enjoyable match to watch as these two guys are playing some great tennis.
Querrery broke Nishi, but then Nishi came back to get the break and even it up in the third set. The match couldn’t be any tighter with sets one and two going to a tb and now the third set also very close.
daily picks would work. but this works, too.
Two double faults in that third set tb were the difference. Kei really kept it together when the match was on the line. Great match and a well earned win for Kei!