Ernests Gulbis will kick off his Montpellier campaign on Tuesday against French wild card Quentin Halys. Steve Darcis and Dustin Brown are also aiming for a place in the second round.
Ernests Gulbis vs. (WC) Quentin Halys
Not unlike in 2015, Gulbis is still looking for his first main-draw victory of the year as the calendar has turned to February. In fact, last season he did not even find the win column until March at the Indian Wells Masters. Gulbis failed to qualify last month in both Brisbane and Sydney before losing a five-set marathon to Jeremy Chardy in one of the most entertaining matches of the Australian Open.
Up first for Gulbis at the Open Sud de France on Tuesday is Halys, whom the 82nd-ranked Latvian has never faced. Halys is a 19-year-old Frenchman who registers at No. 171 in the world. He really started to make a name for himself at the Australian Open, where he got a wild card into the main draw and upset Ivan Dodig before falling to eventual champion Novak Djokovic 6-1, 6-2, 7-6(3). This a great opportunity for the underdog, and not just because he is playing at home. Gulbis is streaky player who can be ice cold when his game is not working–and that is exactly the case right now.
Pick: Halys in 2
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Steve Darcis vs. (Q) Dustin Brown
Darcis and Brown will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers and for the first time at the ATP level when they collide on Tuesday. Their only previous meeting came two years ago at the Rennes Challenger (also on indoor hard courts), where Darcis prevailed 1-6, 6-4, 6-1. It has already been a relatively productive week for Brown, who has enjoyed most of his success either in doubles or in singles Challengers. The 133rd-ranked German qualified for the Montpellier main draw with three-set victories over Mischa Zverev and David Guez.
What Brown and Darcis have in common, of course, is Wimbledon upsets of Rafael Nadal (Darcis in 2013 and Brown in 2015). Neither veteran has done much of anything since the respective best wins of their careers, as Darcis is also struggling outside the top 100 at No. 105 in the rankings. The Belgian made his 2016 debut at the Australian Open and lost right away in five sets to Guido Pella. This is a tough matchup for Darcis against an opponent who likes a fast indoor surface and already has two matches under his belt.
Pick: Brown in 3
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who ya got?
Dreddy in three and Halys in two
yessir
Halys in 3.
Dreddy in 3.
Does Gulbis have a coach?
Going to bet big on a decent dog tonight
I like it
He split with Bresnik lasr year and is now being coached by Tomas Enqvist
http://www.tennisworldusa.org/Ernests-Gulbis-leaves-Gunter-Bresnik-to-team-up-with-Tomas-Enqvist-articolo23285.html
Ernests Gulbis and Gunther Bresnik had a brief split – only one month.
http://sport360.com/article/international/37271/ernests-gulbis-eyes-revival-french-open-under-coach-gunther-bresnik
—What Brown and Darcis have in common, of course, is Wimbledon upsets of Rafael Nadal (Darcis in 2013 and Brown in 2015)—
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It has been their meal ticket and keeps being (according to social media & tennis sites). ?
I think Gulbis may actually have a good year on the Tour….but I’ve thought that before!!
I see why Ricky picked halys for the upset because he beat dodig and troubbled Novak. But we have to remember that gulbis gave Novak even more problems than halys did. Gulbis took a set off Novak in french open last year and a while ago gulbis won the whole game. Recent matches gulbis gave a competitive score. I know gulbis tanks so I still take the dog.
not sure why comparing them against Novak (especially in different seasons and on different surfaces) has anything to do with how they will do against each other