Ricky Dimon

• Thursday Matches of the Day - Expert Picks

  2010-01-20 20:12:34
  

  The Tennistalk panel will be breaking down the “Matches of the Day” for each day of the Australian Open. Four matches are on the list for Day 4 of the tournament.
  
  (17) David Ferrer vs. Marcos Baghdatis
  
  Ferrer leads the head-to-head series 2-0, with both victories on a hard court.
  
  Ricky "Isner is the anti-Berdych" Dimon: Baghdatis in 4 - Baghdatis has all kinds of stuff going for him in this one: court surface (hard), setting (his crowd support is borderline out of control in Australia and he is a former runner-up of this event), and current form (has won 17 of his last 18 matches). Ferrer never goes away quietly so he will be able to keep it close, but Baghdatis simply has too much game.
  
  Cheryl "Muzza" Murray: Baghdatis in 4 - Ferrer didn't win a single match in 2010 coming into the AO, and Baghdatis has been on a tear. Ferrer knows how to put together a good hard-court game, but this Baghdatis is too good.

   

  Vincent "Spadea" Glenn: Baghdatis in 4 -  Baghdatis has started this season in fine style after an injury-ridden 2009 and he will be eyeing a potential fourth-round blockbuster against Roger Federer. 2008 Australian Open quarterfinalist Ferrer, though, is a gritty competitor. Both players are fantastic returners but I think the Cypriot is in good enough form to come through in four sets.
  
  Kelli "I picked Delpo in 5" DeMario: Baghdatis in 4 - Ferrer has zero momentum in 2010. Baghdatis, finally playing well again, is reminding people why he once made it to the Top 10. Could be a long match given Ferrer's tenacity, but the Cypriot should reach the third round.
  
  (10) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs. Taylor Dent
  
  This is the first career meeting between Tsonga and Dent.
  
  Ricky: Tsonga in 4 - Expected never to play tennis again, Dent was the feel-good story of 2009. Winning one match Down Under is good for him, but it would be too much to expect anything more, at least against Tsonga. That said, Dent's serve is the best part of his game and Tsonga's return of serve is by far the worst part of his game. As a result, Dent will be competitive.
  

   

  Cheryl: Tsonga in 3 - I doubt that Dent's serve and volley game is going bother Tsonga much. The Frenchman's big ground game is likely to throw Dent's timing badly anyway. The veteran American won't get a set.

   

  Vincent: Tsonga in 4 - Dent has done remarkably well to recover from the crippling back injury that almost ended his career. Tsonga isn't too fond of playing aginst big servers and the American could pose him some real problems, but the Frenchman should have enough to record a win.
  
  Kelli: Tsonga in 3 - Sentimental American hope Dent will have no answer to Tsonga's power. This one shouldn't be close.
  
  (18) Tommy Haas vs. Janko Tipsarevic
  
  The head-to-head series is tied 1-1, but Haas leads 1-0 on hard courts.
  
  Ricky: Tipsarevic in 5 - While Haas was dealing with swine flu, Tipsarevic was enjoying an impressive 2009 fall season. Haas looked decent in round one against Simon Greul, but there is no way he is 100 percent. Given Tipsarevic's current form, Haas would have to be 100 percent in order to win this one.
  

   

  Cheryl: Haas in 4 - Tough match for Tommy Haas. When he finds the court, Tipsarevic has an enormous game. The problem for the Serb is that he donates far too many errors to upset a solid player like Haas.

   

  Vincent: Haas in 4 - This has the potential to be a very attractive match. Haas' backhand is one of the most elegant in the game and, when in form, Tipsaervic is a shot-maker extraordinaire. It's sure to be intriguing, but I think Haas will come through.
  
  Kelli: Tipsarevic in 5 - Veteran Haas has a good chance if Tipsarevic isn't able to control his mistakes. This is a bad matchup for the German, however, and he is nowhere near 100% fit.
  
  (3) Novak Djokovic vs. Marco Chiudinelli
  
  
  This is the first career ATP-level meeting between Djokovic and Chiudinelli. Chiudinelli, however, prevailed in a minor-league encounter way back in 2004.
  
  
  
  Ricky: Djokovic in 4 - If Dent was the 2009 Comeback Player of the Year, Chiudinelli was a close second (and well ahead of whoever would have been No. 3). This will be a tough one for Djokovic, but not as tough as a potential semifinal against a different Swiss opponent. Look for Chiudinelli to steal a set before Djoker wakes up and cruises.
  

   

  Cheryl: Djokovic in 3 - People aren't really talking about Djokovic as much in this tournament, but they should be. Djokovic has been crisp, and Chiudinelli, while he has a nice hard-court game, isn't going to get close in this one, I'm afraid.
  
  Vincent: Djokovic in 4 - The world No. 3 will be hoping to conserve as much energy as possibe in the early rounds as he looks to make a real challenge for the title. Chiudinelli jumped up the rankings last season after a knee injury kept him out of action for eight months. I think Djokovic will win this in straight sets.

   

  Kelli: Djokovic in 3 - The 2008 Australian Open champion is once again flying under the radar. He is playing well and remains a real threat to take the title. Chiudinelli is a solid hard-courter, but he will be no match for Djokovic.

   

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