Vasek Pospisil and Sam Querrey are set for a big-hitting affair on Tuesday in Sydney. Nicolas Mahut and Ryan Harrison are also bidding for a place in the second round.
Sam Querrey vs. (5) Vasek Pospisil
Querrey and Pospisil will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers when they collide in round one of the Apia International on Tuesday. Their only previous encounter came at Wimbledon in 2012, when Querrey prevailed 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4. Pospisil, however, is a completely different player now. The 23-year-old Canadian enjoyed a breakout 2013 campaign that has him up to No. 30 in the world and seeded for the Australian Open. Unfortunately, Pospisil had to retire with a back injury last week in Chennai after reaching the semifinals.
This is also Querrey’s second tournament in as many weeks. The 46th-ranked American ousted Dmitry Tursunov in straight sets at the Brisbane event before falling to Marinko Matosevic 5-7, 7-6(3), 6-4. This is a matchup of similar players who wield big serves and forehands. Mostly because of Pospisil’s possible physical problems, Querrey should be able to better implement his game-plan.
Pick: Querrey in 2
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Nicolas Mahut vs. (Q) Ryan Harrison
Mahut and Harrison will be squaring off for the first time in their careers on Tuesday. A battle-tested Harrison has already played three matches in Sydney, fighting his way into the main draw as a qualifier. The 99th-ranked American beat Benjamin Becker and Stephane Robert in straight sets before outlasting Alex Bogomolov 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(3) on Monday. Harrison also qualified last week in Brisbane, where he eventually lost to Samuel Groth 7-6(3), 7-6(2) in the opening round.
Ten years Harrison’s senior, Mahut arguably delivered his best-ever season in 2013. The Frenchman captured the first two ATP titles of his career in ‘s-Hertogenbosch and Newport (both on grass) and he also reached the French Open doubles final with partner Michael Llodra. Mahut, up to No. 50 in the world, defeated Igor Sijsling last week in Brisbane before succumbing to compatriot Jeremy Chardy in three sets. Harrison does not hold serve consistently enough and plays too much defense to like his chances against an aggressive-minded Mahut, but this one should be both entertaining and competitive.
Pick: Mahut in 3
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