A quarterfinal spot will be at stake when Sam Querrey faces Grigor Dimitrov on Thursday in Washington, D.C. Former college rivals John Isner and Somdev Devvarman are also taking part in third-round action.
(11) Grigor Dimitrov vs. (6) Sam Querrey
Dimitrov and Querrey will be squaring off for the first time in their careers when they meet in round three of the Citi Open on Friday. Querrey had not won a match since his Queen’s Club opener and he appeared to be heading for an early exit on Tuesday, but the sixth seed saved two match points and survived Denis Istomin 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(9). The 22nd-ranked American is 19-15 for the season.
A relatively in-form Dimitrov, on the other hand, took care of Xavier Malisse 7-6(4), 6-4 in his Washington, D.C. second-rounder. The 22-year-old Bulgarian is a solid 25-15 for his 2013 campaign, which includes a runner-up finish in Brisbane and a Madrid upset of world No. 1 Novak Djokovic. While Dimitrov packs an offensive punch, it is his defense that will give a struggling opponent like Querrey so much trouble. Unless Querrey serves incredibly well, he will likely be outclassed from the back of the court too many times.
Pick: Dimitrov in 3
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(8) John Isner vs. (Q) Somdev Devvarman
Isner and Devvarman will be going head-to-head for the first time in their professional careers and for the first time since colliding in the final of the 2007 NCAA singles tournament. Playing in the hostile territory of Athens in front of Isner’s University of Georgia fans, Devvarman prevailed in a third-set tiebreaker. It is Isner, of course, who has enjoyed the better pro career. The 6’9” American has slumped at times this year, but a semifinal in Newport and a title last week in Atlanta have him back up to No. 20 in the world.
Devvarman is back after shoulder surgery derailed his 2012 campaign. India’s top singles player remains inconsistent during his return, but he reached the third round in Miami and he is through to the same stage as a qualifier in Washington, D.C. Devvarman opened in the main draw with a straight-set dismissal of Rhyne Williams before taking out Alexandr Dolgopolov in straights. Isner, meanwhile, earned a first-round bye as the No. 6 seed then held off qualifier Alex Kuznetsov in two tiebreakers. Isner’s last six sets have ended in ‘breakers so this promises to be another close one, but he should have the edge in what is his favorite time of every season–the American hard-court summer.
Pick: Isner in 2
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Isner and samdev…rematch of that famous NCAA final so many years ago. I like Isner in straight.