Good friends Ernests Gulbis and Dominic Thiem have to face each other again on Monday in Rotterdam. David Goffin and Gilles Muller are also looking for a place in the second round.
(6) Ernests Gulbis vs. Dominic Thiem
Gulbis and Thiem will contest Bresnik Bowl II during first-round action on Monday in Rotterdam. The only previous ATP-level, main-draw meeting between the good friends, who share the same coach in Gunter Bresnik, came at last summer’s U.S. Open. Gulbis led two sets to love and seemed to be on his way to the third round, but a leg injury and cramping doomed the Latvian as Thiem roared back for a 4-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 victory.
Both players are in desperate need of a win, which would be either one’s first of the season. Gulbis, who has been a disaster since the French Open in part due to physical issues, dropped his Auckland opener to Jiri Vesely and lost a five-setter to Thanasi Kokkinakis at the Australian Open. Thiem’s setbacks have come against Jan-Lennard Struff (Auckland) and Roberto Bautista Agut (Melbourne). The 21-year-old may be in slightly better form than his opponent, but he did not handle the situation well last time around and needed a lucky break to get the job done. Thiem will obviously try to win, but Gulbis has more incentive to avenge what transpired in New York.
Pick: Gulbis in 3
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David Goffin vs. Gilles Muller
Goffin earned Comeback Player of the Year honors in 2014, but Muller must have been in the mix. The 31-year-old Luxembourgian started last season at 368th in the world and he soared to No. 47. Now up to a carer-high of 36th, Muller has maintained momentum with a quarterfinal performance in Chennai, a semifinal showing in Sydney, and a fourth-round performance at the Australian Open. However, he suffered a disappointing loss in his Zagreb opener to Ricardas Berankis.
An epic post-Wimbledon winning streak in 2014 is a tough standard Goffin has set for himself and he has not come close to matching that level so far this year. The 20th-ranked Belgian reached the Chennai semifinals but lost his first match in Sydney to Simone Bolelli and was upset by Marcos Baghdatis in the Aussie Open second round. Goffin’s consistency and defense should be a bad matchup for Muller, whose lefty spinner out wide will play into Goffin’s strength–the two-handed backhand. An indoor hard court may help Muller, but it probably won’t be enough.
Pick: Goffin in 3
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Bolelli comprehensively beats AeRosol 63 61.
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augusta08, you and I are the only two watching Rotterdam and Rafa is not playing. Some people only watch Rafa.
Up next, Zverev vs Bautista-Agut.
I’m watching.
RBA takes the 1st set 64.
RBA in control now leading 41 in the 2nd set.
RBA wins in straight sets – 64 61.
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Coric & Gulbis are next.
Dominic Thiem & Gulbis.
I’m watching (they are warming up).
I meant Thiem 🙂
Coric????
Gulbis looks impressive.
????????
He was impressive in the first two games. I spoke too soon. 🙂
i’m surprised he was impressive for 2
I need to go out but I’m gripped with the Rotterdam matches. Compelling to watch.
Thiem breaks Gulbis.
Thiem takes the 1st set 64.
Gulbis on his way out in straight sets to Thiem.
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PHM and Dimi about to start.
Blowout city
Who is doing the blowing out, Ricky?
Virginia thinks Dimitrov is a little too much icing and not enough cake, 🙂
It seems that Gulbis has decided not to play tennis again these days. I hope to see the match on the tennis channel whenever they show it. I have been trying to keep up with the schedule, but I never know if they are broadcasting it live at what hour or if they are replaying the matches.
PHM was a little p*****d off with a bad call and the two players argured aabout it after the match.
Poor Mathieu, he had 2 match points.
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I did see some of the Goffin/Muller match, but couldn’t stay awake until the end. It’s weird, because the tennis channel was supposed to be showing women’s tennis, but that’s how it’s been with these smaller tournaments. You can’t go by the schedule, but have to actually see what they are showing.
They were in the third set when I couldn’t stay awake any longer. I don’t know if it was a replay. I will just keep tuning in and try to see whatever I can see.