Vasek Pospisil and Alexander Zverev are set for an intriguing first-rounder on Wednesday in Rotterdam. A quarterfinal spot will be at stake when Gael Monfils goes up against Borna Coric.
Vasek Pospisil vs. (WC) Alexander Zverev
Pospisil and Zverev will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers when they meet in round one of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament on Wednesday. The relatively late start for the two players is undoubtedly due to the fact that Zverev is coming off a long week in Montpellier. The 18-year-old German reached his second career ATP singles semifinal (lost to Paul-Henri Mathieu) and also finished runner-up in doubles with his brother, Mischa. Zverev is up to a career-high ranking of No. 70 in the world.
Aside from a thrilling run to the 2015 Wimbledon quarterfinals, Pospisil has mostly fared better in doubles than in singles. This season has been no different. The 41st-ranked Canadian, whose record on the singles court is a disappointing 1-3, made it to the Australian Open quarters with Jack Sock. Even with two days off, Zverev has to be fatigued both mentally and physically. Although not in incredible form, Pospisil is at least playing well enough to capitalize on this opportunity.
Pick:Â Pospisil in 3
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(5) Gael Monfils vs. Borna Coric
Coric needed a win in the worst way when he took the court in Rotterdam on Monday. The 38th-ranked Croat won his first four matches of the season, reaching the final in Chennai. But an expected setback against Stan Wawrinka set off an unexpected losing streak that reached four matches. It included a first-round exit in Melbourne at the hands of Albert Ramos-Vinolas and a straight-set loss to Michael Berrer in Montpellier. Coric almost saw his skid hit five matches, but he saved a whopping 10 set points to take the first from Thiemo De Bakker and held on for a 7-6(9), 4-6, 6-3 victory.
Up next for the 19-year-old is a first-ever showdown against Monfils. The fifth-seeded Frenchman lost right away in Montpellier to Edouard Roger-Vasselin, but may be back on track this week. A no-nonsense performance saw Monfils take care of qualifier Ernests Gulbis 6-4, 6-4 on Tuesday evening. A quarterfinalist at the French Open, Monfils is a decent 5-2 for his 2016 campaign. This should be a good matchup for the world No. 18 if he brings the same attitude that he showcased against Gulbis. Coric does not have the firepower to hit through a relatively slow Rotterdam court–especially not against an opponent of Monfils’ defensive caliber.
Pick:Â Monfils in 2
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who ya got?
Monfils in three and Pospy in three
likely
I’ve got Vasek over Sascha in 3. Might go the other way – but have to pick Vasek to be ready for the kid and get the win.
Borna to get a set if Monf loses concentration. Monf in 3.
Exactly my thinking.
Vasek well rested
Monfils and the kid-didn’t want to spell his name! Pospisil hasn’t been doing so hot and Zverev looks very hungry.
Monfils and zverev in three. I Think rather than being fatigued Ricky, it should make his appetite to beat Pospisil even greater
i certainly don’t question Zverev’s hunger. Nor do I question Pospisil’s. I think they are about even at this point, and a slight edge goes to the more rested one.
That’s what I was thinking.
Zverev looks a little out of sorts.
Holy smoke. Mischa gets the first break and will serve for the set.
wrong Zverev!!!
^^Slip of the tongue
There is a slightly different air about him. Both being extra cool – Vasek showing a little more variety – better volleying.
Sascha gets the break and will serve for the set…
And takes it. 7-5
Well, Vasek helped him to get the break. But Sascha holds like a boss. Looking for less subdued cool and more fire from both 2nd set. Except I have paperwork to do and can’t watch!
I am watching Pospisil-Zverev now. Zverev taking the first set was a surprise, but I am keeping my eye on this kid.
Zverev now up a break in the second set. I would have thought Pospi would make a better showing.
Now the tennis channel switched to St. Petersburg and a woman’s match. I really wish they would stay with one match and not jump around.
the jumping around is good–except when they jump around to terrible matches (which happens often)
Yes, good point!
Yipee, i was right about the kid! Doesn’t happen very often, so happy with my choice!
Great pick!
If he keeps this up Mischa will go far. Talk about keeping a cool head.
Popsi lost heart when he failed to take the first set and never managed to recoup.
Mischa is his brother. This is Alex.
They call him “Sascha”, ed.
Mischa is his older brother. They play doubles 🙂
Believe it or not I do know the difference: I just keep muddling their nicknames up while typing comments and keeping one eye on the match. Am thinking of calling them Zvev Major and Zvev Minor
Which one is Major Zvev and which on MinorZ ? lol… Big Z , little z
which one is which?
In English boys’ schools when two brothers overlap at the same time the custom used to be to refer to the eldest as Smith Major, the younger as Smith Minor.
right, but Zverev the younger is the Major player, whereas Mischa is the Minor player
haha i believe you
Pospy just isn’t consistent enough with his results. Destroyed by Zverev.
Well done Zverev… always thought he was more ‘match-tough’ than Pospi… such an open draw though.
The Chardy Donskoy match looks like it was a a good one?!
he certainly was
bad that Zverev-Simon is next. Probably the 2 best players left in the draw.
It’s a tshame.
What about la Monf? And Cilic. IN FORM Monfils and Cilic I mean not the Cilic who lost last week or Monfils who lost last week.
Well done to Zverev. I thought that Pospi would make more of a match of it.
Pospy is in doubles-specialist mode these days
Well maybe that explains it.
Hate (read: love) to be an armchair QB, but Ricky (read: Charlie Brown) continues to overvalue Pospy and Goffin (read: believe that Lucy will hod the football for him).
Don’t you? Or do you.
Allez Gilou! Poor Haase led the entire set – pipped in the TB. 1st set Simon.