Lopez - Seppi
Many would assume that this surface suits the big serving swift volleyi-er F LO, much better than his italian counterpart. But as I already pointed out in my other article, the game is changing rapidly. I mean seriously, how many times have you seen F Lo, serve and volley over the past year? He too has opted for the new style of throwing bricks from the baseline. The only difference here however, is that F Lo ain't capable of throwing bricks but rather marshmallows! His top-spin floating forehand and his boring backhand slice isn't gonna get him over the line today. Seppi is a very decent player and not just on clay either. His height gives him a pretty decent serving percentage, and unlike F Lo he can really chuck bricks from the back of the court.
Lopez can't match Seppi, but it'll be a very good match to watch.
Pick. Seppi the 'medium dog' for 5 Units
Gonzalez - Berdych
Yeah what can you say about these two? On the one hand you have the raw talent of T.Berdych who, when he's on, can be the best of the best that there is in Tennis - But who's always been a betting liability for many of us here. Then you have Gonzo' who many thought would be the next big thing after teamming up with Larry Stefanki! His run at the Aus Open last year, many thought was a foreshadow of great things to come from the Chilean. But the rest of the season however, was a Non-Event and has been such a let down for him. He has struggled badly recently, crashing out of Wimbledon in the 2nd round to a crappy Italian player.
This is a matter of who shows up tonight. If the brilliant Berdych makes an appearance, then Gonzo will struggle, but I think we've seen the "best" of Berdych. The kid is heartless and Gonzo' will continue his dominance over TB
Pick Gonzalez the 'slight favourite' 2 Units
Youzhny - Haas
I've got nothing against the Germans, but Haas falls under the 'vile Kiefer' category as far as I'm concerned. Apart from an arrogant prick, I never saw anything likeable in his game.
Whereas I love Youzhny's work ethic and his determination. The kid is out there giving it his all, until he's bleeding to death ... (sometimes he takes that too literally .....)
I believe This will go the distance, but in the end Youzhny will be the one smiling ...
Pick. Youzhny the 'slight favourite' 3 Units
AUSSIE