Monfils takes on Kohlschreiber in Madrid first round

Monfils takes on Kohlschreiber in Madrid first round

Gael Monfils, recently returned from injury, will take on Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber as the first round finishes up in Madrid. 

Ordinarily, Gael Monfils would go into this match as a heavy favorite against Philipp Kohlschreiber. The Frenchman is ranked 14th in the world and has a fantastic game for clay. Monfils also holds a 5-1 record over the German.

But Monfils hasn’t played a tournament since Miami, owing to injury and hasn’t played a single clay-court match all year. 

By contrast, Kohlschreiber just won the title in Munich and at No. 25 in the world, he is approaching his career high ranking of 22nd.

The outcome of this match will depend on how well Kohlschreiber handles the possible fatigue from playing all last week and how quickly Monfils is able to adjust to the clay.

Prediction – Kohlschreiber to take advantage of Monfils rust and get his second win over the Frenchman in 3.

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Del Potro opens in Madrid against Mayer

 

Del Potro opens in Madrid against Mayer

Juan Martin Del Potro will try to keep his hot streak going after winning another Estoril title last weekend. Up first for Del Potro on Tuesday in Madrid is Florian Mayer.

Juan Martin Del Potro and Florian Mayer will be squaring off for the fifth time in their careers when they do battle in round one of the Mutua Madrid Open on Tuesday afternoon.

The head-to-head series is tied up at two apiece, with Mayer having dominated their only previous clay-court match (but that came way back in 2006). They most recently faced each other a year ago in Sydney, where Mayer prevailed 6-2, 7-5 (but that was when Del Potro was just coming back from wrist surgery).

Del Potro is not all the way back to his Grand Slam-winning self, but he is showing signs of the form that carried him through the 2009 U.S. Open. The Argentine is back up to No. 11 in the world and he is an outstanding 27-6 for the season. Del Potro successfully defended his Munich title last week, rolling over Richard Gasquet in Sunday's final.

Mayer, however, is going in the other direction. The German prospered in 2011 but he is a dismal 4-10 so far this year. Mayer has lost his opener in three consecutive tournaments and he is riding a four-match losing streak dating back to Miami.

One of the streakier players on tour, Mayer can get hot at any moment. But right now it is Del Potro who has all the momentum, and he should get the job done in straight sets.

 

 

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Verdasco and Berdych in Madrid action

 

Verdasco and Berdych in Madrid action

Fernando Verdasco and Tomas Berdych will take the court in Madrid on Tuesday as round one wraps up and round two begins. 

Tomas Berdych (6) vs. Kevin Anderson

This match between No. 6 seed Tomas Berdych and Kevin Anderson should be a hard-hitting affair. The altitude and the quicker courts make the Madrid Masters friendly for big hitters.

This would ordinarily be good news for Anderson, but Berdych hits just as big off the baseline and with better accuracy than Anderson does.

Berdych played well in Monte Carlo, making the semifinals before going out to Novak Djokovic in three sets. Anderson’s clay-court credentials in 2012 aren’t quite as impressive as Berdych’s. The South African made the round of 16 in Barcelona and the quarters in Houston.

Prediction – Berdych in straight sets.

Fernando Verdasco (15) vs. Denis Istomin

Spain’s Fernando Verdasco has had an up and down clay season, not unusual for the Spaniard. He lost in the round of 16 in Monte Carlo but made the semifinals in Barcelona.

Russian Denis Istomin’s clay season has been shaky so far. His best result was a second-round showing last week in Estoril, where he beat Paul-Henri Mathieu before going out to Joao Souza.

Verdasco will have the full support of the Spanish crowd and has show better form recently. The Spaniard for the win in straight sets.

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