Ricky Dimon

• Saturday Matches of the Day - Expert Picks

  2010-01-22 19:42:32
  

  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 6 of the tournament.
  
  (22) Lleyton Hewitt vs. Marcos Baghdatis
  
  Baghdatis leads the head-to-head series 2-1, but it is tied at one apiece on hard courts.
  
  Ricky "I'm never picking against Isner ever again" Dimon: Baghdatis in 5 - The only thing I can guarantee is that this one won't end at 4:34 in the morning. Other than that, it's anyone's guess. Baghdatis has a bigger game, but this is one is going to be so close that it will simply come down to who can handle the pressure moments better than the other. It was Hewitt last time, but look for Baghdatis to get revenge.
  
  Cheryl "I can't believe Ricky was the only one who picked Cilic" Murray: Baghdatis in 4 - As long as the Bagh-man isn't tired from his last match, this should be his for the taking. I'm also picking him because I can't bear the thought of Hewitt and Federer in the round of 16. No offense, Lleyton but zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. 

   

  Vincent "I told you Andy would lose a set to Feli" Glenn: Baghdatis in 5 - This really is a fascinating clash and it's a very tricky one to call. Baghdatis battled heroically to record a five-set victory over David Ferrer in the last round while Hewitt has yet to drop a set. The atmosphere will be incredible and memories of their epic 2008 encounter will be evoked, but I think the Cypriot will just have enough.
  
  Kelli "I'm strategically making the other three writers overconfident" DeMario: Baghdatis in 4 - No doubt fans will be hoping for a repeat of the pair's battle in 2008. Could get interesting if this goes the distance, but despite a long match with Ferrer the other day, Baghdatis seems to be hitting his stride.
  
  (10) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs. (18) Tommy Haas
  
  Haas won their only previous meeting last year on the grass courts of Halle.
  
  Ricky: Tsonga in 4 - Haas was far from impressive against Tipsarevic, but he managed to pull it out in five sets. Tsonga, on the other hand, destroyed Taylor Dent and looked scary doing it. The Frenchman could end this in straights, but I think Haas will talk to himself just enough (see the YouTube video if you haven't already) and force himself to win a set.
  

   

  Cheryl: Tsonga in 3 - Haas underwhelmed me in his last match. In fact, I might even go so far as to call that win "ugly". Nobody is really talking about Tsonga, but he's looked pretty good so far.

   

  Vincent: Tsonga in 4 - Tsonga has started the Australian Open in fine style and he is hitting the ball with real accuracy. Haas was good at times in his five-set win over Tipsarevic, but he still made a whopping 78 unforced errors. He will have to improve significantly to challenge the Frenchman and I don't think he'll be able to.
  
  Kelli: Tsonga in 4 - Tsonga hasn't dropped a set this week and looks to be gaining confidence in a hurry. Veteran Haas had all he could handle dismissing Tipsarevic. If he's having a good day, he may take a set.
  
  (6) Nikolay Davydenko vs. (30) Juan Monaco
  
  Davydenko leads the head-to-head series 3-1, including 1-0 on hard courts.
  
  Ricky: Davydenko in 4 - Four. That's right. Four, not three. Monaco is one of the biggest fighters on tour and he will certainly go down swining. Davydenko is on fire, but he has never been great at slams and I expect him to gradually cool off, starting now. Obviously he will still have more than enough to get the victory, which is all that matters.
  

   

  Cheryl: Davydenko in 3 - Juan Monaco has been a pleasant surprise, but I'm just not sure that he can beat the Russian on hard courts. 

   

  Vincent: Davydenko in 3 - The Russian is in absolutley incredible form at the moment. He's hitting the ball so crisply and is capable of striking winners from any angle. Monaco will fight but he'll be outclassed by the world No.6.
  
  Kelli: Davydenko in 3 - Davydenko has the hot hands at the moment. Monaco did well to get this far, but won't have the weapons to take out the Russian on this surface.
  
  (20) Mikhail Youzhny vs. Lukasz Kubot
  
  This is the first career meeting between Youzhny and Kubot.
  
  Ricky: Youzhny in 4 - Youzhny survived Gasquet in a first-round thriller and he has been rewarded with two more unseeded opponents. Kubot is playing well, but he benefited from a favorable section of the draw that was vacated by Tommy Robredo. The Pole has too solid of a hard-court game to get blown out, but Youzhny is looking good and should win it in four.
  

   

  Cheryl: Youzhny in 3 - The "other" Russian is in fine form as well. Kubot is one of those pesky opponents who can throw in a good match, but Youzhny has been better.
  
  Vincent: Youzhny in 4 - Youzhny has played two vastly contrasting matches so far this week. He came from two sets down to see off Gasquet before defeating Jan Hajek 6-2, 6-1, 6-1. Kubot may take a set, but he won't have enough to upset the Russian.
  
  Kelli: Youzhny in 3 - Youzhny looks no worse for wear after his grueling match with Gasquet. He breezed through the second round without any trouble, and could be a threat to go deep into the second week.

Tell a friend »

Comments

Write comment

Archive

Unibet Mobile prematch,live betting

Scan QR code to access Unibet mobile.
Bet on Sports wherever you are and whenever you like, with Unibet's quick and simple mobile client you can place bets, check results and see live odds.
 For more info about QR codes & scanners click here.

Recommend Tennistalk

Follow us

Poll

Articles - Latest commented

• 
  25

  USA finishes off Federer, Switzerland
  

  nadline, Feb 12, 2012 4:01 PM

• 
  7

  Defending champ Spain through to Davis Cup quarters
  

  schatz, Feb 12, 2012 11:44 AM

• 
  2

  Gonzo calls time on his career
  

  luckystar, Feb 12, 2012 12:59 AM

• 
  17

  Isner stuns Federer, gives USA shocking 2-0 Davis Cup lead
  

  msj9754, Feb 11, 2012 11:47 PM

• 
  5

  Argentina faces Germany in Davis Cup opener
  

  RickyDimon, Feb 11, 2012 7:32 PM

Blog - Latest commented

• 
  3
  Approach Shots: Federer looks to rebound in Rotterdam
  

  sanju, Feb 12, 2012 5:56 PM

• 
  9
  Approach Shots: Federer headlines Davis Cup first round
  

  nadline, Feb 11, 2012 4:57 PM

• 
  113
  Djokovic and Nadal’s Aussie Open final, the best tennis has to offer
  

  Nativenewyorker, Feb 11, 2012 9:08 AM

Tell a friend

Other tennis links

• www.menstennisforums.com
• www.atptennis.com
• www.itftennis.com
• Tennisplaza
• More links...