Ricky Dimon

• Friday Matches of the Day - Expert Picks

  2010-01-21 19:42:42
  

  The Tennistalk panel will be breaking down the “Matches of the Day” for each day of the Australian Open. Five matches are on the list for Day 5 of the tournament.
  
  (12) Gael Monfils vs. (33) John Isner
  
  Isner leads the head-to-head series 2-1, with all three matches played on hard courts and all three going to three sets.
  
  Ricky "I knew Tomic would choke" Dimon: Monfils in 4 - Isner is on fire right now, but Monfils' shoulder appears to be a non-issue and Isner has played (and won) seven matches the last 11 days. It showed in a second-round win over Louk Sorensen. I am tempted to say this one goes five, but I don't see Monfils losing this match and I also don't see Isner losing a five-setter. So Monfils in four.
  
  Cheryl "I knew Tipsy would choke" Murray: Monfils in 4 - This is a match that Isner perhaps could win, but he appears to be completely wiped out from his win in Auckland and his 5-setter against Seppi. Against an athlete like Monfils, I'm afraid the American just won't have enough in the tank.
  
  Kelli "I've finally seen the Gulbis light...or lack thereof" DeMario: Monfils in 4 - Monfils is always a threat on a hard-court, but Isner is playing good tennis at the moment, riding a wave of confidence after winning in Auckland. Still, the Frenchman should be able to use his athleticism to defend against the American's booming serve.
  
  Vincent "Van Gogh" Glenn: Monfils in 4 - Isner's huge serve is likely to keep him competetive, but Monfils is capable of producing moments of magic. The Frenchman's sensational movement will allow him to track down many of Isner's powerful shots and, although he may be tested, he should come through.
  
  (14) Marin Cilic vs. (19) Stanislas Wawrinka
  
  Wawrinka leads the head-to-head series 4-1, but they are tied 1-1 on hard courts.
  
  Ricky: Cilic in 4 - Wawrinka has the head-to-head edge, but Cilic beat him earlier this month in the Chennai final and he is a better Grand Slam player than Wawrinka. Cilic did not look great against Tomic, but he has a superior hard-court game and he should put together a much better performance on Friday.
  
  Cheryl: Wawrinka in 3 - Cilic played a diabolically bad match against Tomic the other night. His shots lacked pace, he himself lacked movement. I think Wawrinka's going to take him out.
  
  Kelli: Wawrinka in 4 - Despite Cilic's recent win over Wawrinka in Chennai, the Croat still has a poor record against him. That, coupled with the 2:30 AM finish against Tomic the other day, will have Cilic feeling less than 100%. Wawrinka has had no trouble getting through the first two rounds; he's up for the task today.
  
  Vincent: Wawrinka in 5 - Cilic labored to a second-round victory over Tomic. Wawrinka, meanwhile, is yet to drop a set. The Swiss put up a good fight before falling to Cilic in the final of Chennai earlier this month and I think he may just gain his revenge in this clash.
  
  (24) Ivan Ljubicic vs. Ivo Karlovic
  
  Karlovic won their only previous meeting on the grass courts of Nottingham in 2005.
  
  Ricky: Ljubicic in 5 - I have already picked against Karlovic twice this week, and I will not hesitate to pick against him again. Ljubicic is nothing special at this point in his career, but I refuse to believe that Karlovic--given his current form--can reach the second week of a Grand Slam.
  
  Cheryl: Ljubicic in 4 - I know I picked against Dr. Ivo before, but this time I think it's for real.  The old-school Croat's still got some life left in him, and he should get at least some bead on Karlovic's serve on this high-bouncing court.
  
  Kelli: Karlovic in 5 - Almost too close to call, as this battle of big serving veterans could go either way. Karlovic looked no worse for wear after his long match with Stepanek and should have enough to win.
  
  Vincent: Karlovic in 4 - One thing's for sure...there will be more than a few aces in this contest between the two massive-serving Croats. Ljubicic has a better ground game, but Karlovic is not as one-dimensional as he used to be. I think he'll edge Ljubicic in a tight encounter.
  
  (2) Rafael Nadal vs. (27) Philipp Kohlschreiber

  Nadal leads the head-to-head series 4-0, including 2-0 on hard courts.
  
  Ricky: Nadal in 3 - Kohlschreiber has the talent to produce shocking upsets on the biggest stages of tennis (2008 Aussie Open over Roddick, 2009 French Open over Djokovic), but he is not in the kind of form to do it now. Nadal is getting better and better by the day, so this should be a rout.
  
  Cheryl: Nadal in 4 - Kohlschreiber's got game, make no mistake about that, and one that is at it's best on hard court. Nadal threw in a few too many UFEs against Lacko the other day. It might take him a set to find his rhythm.
  
  Kelli: Nadal in 4 - Kohlschreiber is a solid player, having downed some big names over the past few seasons. The German took a set from Nadal the first time they met in Melbourne three years ago, but with a title to defend, the world No. 2 will make it to the next round.
  
  Vincent: Nadal in 3 - Kohlschreiber is a gifted shot-maker, but he's also consistently inconsistent. He has, though, recorded wins over big names at slams before. The German defeated Roddick in this round of the Australian Open in 2008 and stunned Djokovic at Roland Garros last year. Nadal has started the season in fine form. He's been moving freely and hitting his groundstrokes with real fizz and bite. He should be able to see off the often erratic Kohlschreiber without too many difficulties.
  
  (7) Andy Roddick vs. Feliciano Lopez
  
  Roddick leads the head-to-head series 5-0 and all five meetings have come on hard courts.
  
  Ricky: Roddick in 3 - That head-to-head mark is glaring, and there is no reason to think Roddick's domination will end now. He recently triumphed in Brisbane and he has not dropped a set through two Aussie Open victories. Lopez, meanwhile, benefited from Rainer Schuettler's win over Sam Querrey. He won't be so fortunate against Roddick.
  
  Cheryl: Roddick in 3 - I categorically refuse to pick Lopez due to his abysmal backhand. Might be the worst in the top 100 and it offends my delicate sensibilities.
  
  Kelli: Roddick in 3 - Roddick is a bad matchup for Lopez, who won't have much of an answer for the American's huge serve. Roddick has competed well the first two rounds, so look for him to repeat in the third.
  
  Vincent: Roddick in 4 - After missing the final weeks of last season due to injury, Roddick has made an impressive return to action in 2010. The American is one of the gutsiest players on tour and, although Lopez posseses a fantastic lefty serve and good volleying skills, he won't have enough to overcome Roddick.

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