Paris R2 previews and picks: Federer vs. Seppi, Anderson vs. Theim

AndersonTwo rematches of Grand Slam showdowns from earlier this year are part of the Wednesday schedule in Paris. Roger Federer is kicking off his week against Andreas Seppi, while Kevin Anderson faces Dominic Thiem.

Andreas Seppi vs. (3) Roger Federer

Federer is coming off a title at one of his favorite tournaments as he heads into second-round action at the BNP Paribas Masters on Wednesday. The 34-year-old Swiss took care of business last week in Basel, where he triumphed for the seventh time and improved his lifetime record to 61-9. Success has not been as easy to come by in Paris, where Federer is just 20-9 with one title (2011).

Up first for the No. 3 seed is a 14th career encounter with Seppi. Their most memorable meeting–and the only one that has ever gone Seppi’s way–was a 6-4, 7-6(5), 4-6, 7-6(5) upset at this year’s Australian Open. Federer, though, has exacted revenge twice since then. He prevailed 6-3, 6-4 in Indian Wells and 7-6(1), 6-4 in the Halle final. Eight of the former world No. 1’s 12 victories have come on hard courts, including one indoors (Basel 2009). Seppi does not appear to be playing the kind of tennis that will allow him to duplicate his feat Down Under. The 28th-ranked Italian had been on a five-match losing streak dating back to the U.S. Open prior to beating Pablo Cuevas 7-5, 6-3 on Monday.

Pick: Federer in 2 losing 5-7 games

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(11) Kevin Anderson vs. Dominic Thiem

Anderson and Thiem will be going head-to-head for the fourth time in their careers on Wednesday. All three of their previous encounters have gone Anderson’s way and he has never even lost a single set to Thiem. Their most recent straight-setter, however, was an entertaining 6-3, 7-6(3), 7-6(3) decision in the third round of this summer’s U.S. Open. Anderson had previously prevailed last season at the Australian Open and in Tokyo.

The 12th-ranked South African’s breakout performance came in New York, where he went on to upset Andy Murray en route to the quarterfinals. At the end of a successful year, though, Anderson appears to be wearing out down the stretch. A shoulder issue has contributed to a modest 6-4 record this fall, which includes a second-round loss last week in Basel to Donald Young. Thiem punched his ticket into this matchup by holding off Adrian Mannarino 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 on Wednesday. The 19th-ranked Austrian should be inspired to finish 2015 in the top 20 and will likely send Anderson into a much-needed offseason.

Pick: Thiem in 3

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30 Comments on Paris R2 previews and picks: Federer vs. Seppi, Anderson vs. Theim

  1. Hey Ricky i was wondering if u could give your view on the Troicki vs Lopez match. I was going for Troicki as he has the game to beat Lopez and beat him earlier this year in Rome but I think he only beat Sock so convincingly because Sock was exhausted. Your prediction?

  2. Thiem has run out of steam at the tail end of a successful year. He seemed easily agitated on Monday, giving way to several uncharacteristic outbursts of frustration and struggled to put away a hobbled Mannarino in the decider.
    Anderson in 3

    Federer is brimming with self-confidence and Seppi will only be able to dream of replicating his one and only win against him. If Fed repeats the lapses we saw in Basel it could be more competitive than people are predicting.

    Federer in 3 losing 8-10

  3. Lopez is bucking the trend that marriage enhances your talent. He has not hit his previous form since his wedding 🙂

    Looks like DJ is going to lose his money Troicki match point coming up.

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