Juan Martin Del Potro will continue his Munich campaign against Philipp Kohlscheiber during quarterfinal action on Friday. In Istanbul, Grigor Dimitrov and Jiri Vesely are aiming for a place in the semis.
BMW Open: (WC) Juan Martin Del Potro vs. (4) Philipp Kohlschreiber
Del Potro’s first clay-court tournament since the 2013 Rome Masters is off to a solid start. The 27-year-old Argentine opened with a 7-6(2), 6-4 win over Dustin Brown before beating another German, Jan-Lennard Struff, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 on Thursday. Del Potro, who missed almost all of 2015 with his recurring left-wrist issue, has advanced out of the first round in all four of his events this season. The 2009 U.S. Open champion sports a respectable 7-3 record that includes a semifinal performance in Delray Beach.
Up next for Del Potro on Friday is a seventh career encounter with Kohlschreiber, who has lost all six of their previous contests. The 27th-ranked German is 3-13 in total sets against his nemesis, but they have never faced each other on clay and they have not gone head-to-head since 2013 (Del Potro survived in a third-set tiebreaker at the Shanghai Masters that fall). Kohlschreiber is in stellar form at the moment, with a 16-8 record in 2016 and a 13-5 mark in his last 18 matches. Munich’s fourth seed kicked off his week by defeating countryman Florian Mayer 6-3, 6-2 on Thursday. Kohlschreiber may be too solid on clay for Del Potro right now, likely able to induce long rallies and pick on his opponent’s backhand with his trusty inside-out forehand. Del Potro’s inconsistency can be seen in the fact that he twice failed to serve out the match against Brown and was broken five times by Struff.
Pick: Kohlschreiber in 3
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Istanbul Open: (6) Jiri Vesely vs. (2) Grigor Dimitrov
Dimitrov and Vesely will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers when they square off in the Istanbul quarterfinals on Friday. Their only previous meeting came two years ago on the clay courts of Bucharest, where Dimitrov prevailed 7-6(5), 6-2. The 24-year-old Bulgarian has not taken off as expected since then and he is a decent but unspectacular 16-8 so far this season. Dimitrov has won more than two matches at a tournament only twice in 2016 and he is still in search of his first title (which would mark the fifth of his career). The second seed opened this week by scraping past Adrian Ungur 7-5, 4-6, 7-5 on Wednesday.
Vesely’s year, of course, is highlight by a stunning upset of Novak Djokovic in the Monte-Carlo second round earlier this month. Despite that groundbreaking result, the 22-year-old Czech is still just 8-9 this season and he registers well off his career-high ranking of 35th at No. 63 in the world. So far in Istanbul, Vesely has taken out Thiemo De Bakker and Roberto Carballes Baena. The sixth seed is showing some impressive prowess on clay, but Dimitrov’s defense and athleticism will likely be enough against an opponent whose offensive weapons have not completely materialized.
Pick: Dimitrov in 3
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who ya got?
With Dr. Ivo winning today, I can see any/all Istanbul QF’s going either way. But because – Conan-like racquet crushing – I’ll go with the Grigorator in 2 ?
Still thinking about Munich. Delpo and Sascha matches are tough to objectively pick.
But liking this week of tennis more than expected. Prague and Rabat SF’s looking good too.
I’m gonna switch it up a little. I had kohl winning the event after Monfils withdrew but I have a gut feeling DeL po wins in three. Probably not the most logical pick though. And I have Grigor getting through in three. Would be nice to see him actually play some good tennis and win in straights though.
Delpo still looking decent, but not great. Kohli too solid.
Kohli in 2 and Vesely in 3 .
Grigor was dreadful against a can like Ungur and Jiri is actualy playing decent tennis
Great matchups tomorrow; I’m out all day so won’t be able to watch any.
My heart says Delpo, but my head says Kohls. I think this could be a good match, going 3 sets. I am just not sure that Delpo is quite ready for kohls at this time.
Dimi did not look impressive in his previous match. I just don’t know what to expect with him these days. I think Vesely is capable of getting the win in 3 sets.
i like Dtrov in 3, and Kohl in straight.
Check on our preview of the Istanbul QF: http://dotennis.net/news/istanbul_open_2016_jiri_vesely_v_grigor_dimitrov_.html
Am very glad to see Delpo back, but am rooting for Kohli in this match, and think he will win in 3. Am a big Kohli fan and on another site we have the “Kohli Klub.” But my prediction for who will win the tourney is Thiem.
Expect Dimitrov to win, perhaps in 3. Have never been a huge Grigor fan, but so many experts and fans are still predicting great things for him. Why do you think he has not had more success to date?
Kohli is the man. Very underrated.
So glad to hear you say that. I have been a fan since the USO a few years ago, when I saw this player on TV I had never heard of play a terrific match. His small size has to be a drawback – he is 5′ 10″ and about 154 lbs. but he gets the most out of his talent. Those are the guys I really respect.
See that Grigor won in SS, going 6-1 in the 2nd. So did he play especially well or was Vesely off?
I skipped through this match on catch up. Dimitrov was playing so-so – better than most of his matches this season but nothing spectacular. Vesely was definitely OFF. My guess is he was running on an empty tank after playing a hell of a lot of tennis in the past few weeks.
Vesely collapsed after blowing the first set
Kohli won against Delpo in SS, 6-4, 6-1. I have some hope for Kohli to win the title, but still think Thiem is more likely.
Kohli has very good chance. Thiem not looking unbeatable this week.
Just wanted to stop in and say I found your site earlier this week and having the extra tennis insight has really really helped… I was about to put 200 on del potro but I kept thinking about the comments on here about him not being ready etc etc.. Some seriously good in site and knowledge on here in the content and messages so thank you… Instead I did 200 on almagro and kohli to return 420… Better result then taking del potro 🙂 thanks Guys
It wasn’t easy betting against deal potro who beat kohli 6 or 7 times already… Some great angles on here.. Got some good tips for the last 3 nights really.. Been on fire with analysis and reads..
thanks. Been hot this week!
Yeah u have man, I was lucky myself to avoid the verdasco trap the other day..
And I think your right, kohli is primed to win this title at home.. It’s his to lose in my view..
Won’t forget this website that’s for sure.. So good to have actually real opinions from people who seem to know the ins and outs of the game.. Just awesome !