Ricky Dimon

• Rome Masters third-round expert picks

  2010-04-29 07:02:33
  

  Expert picks are BACK for the third round of the Rome Masters, as some intriguing matchups are on the menu; including Soderling vs. Wawrinka, Ferrer vs. Murray, and Gulbis following his win over Federer going up against Italian hope Filippo Volandri. Join in the fun and try to be the best for a chance to be the next guest picker!

   

  Ernests Gulbis vs. Filippo Volandri
  
  Ricky "is this the NEW Ernests Gulbis?" Dimon: Rarely do players follow up a monumental win with a victory in their next match, and that will be Gulbis' task two days after toppling Roger Federer. In Volandri, however, Gulbis is getting an opponent who at times over the past few years I honestly thought was no longer a professional tennis player. Apparently he is still good on clay, but Gulbis is out of the Italian's league. Gulbis 6-3, 6-3.
  
  Kelli "yes, this IS the new Ernests Gulbis" DeMario: Gulbis will have to watch out for the post big-match let down, but he looks to have found the range witlh his forehand this week. If he can't control his errors and nerves, Volandri is in with a shot. Gulbis 7-5, 6-2. 

   

  Cheryl "better late than never" Murray: This is an EXCELLENT chance for Gulbis to get in the quarters. He already did the hard work when he took out Federer in the second round. Sure, Volandri played great for his countrymen when he took out Benneteau - but Gulbis is no Benneteau. Interestingly, a year ago that would have been a compliment for Benneteau, now...not so much. Gulbis 6-3, 6-4.

   

  Ivan Ljubicic vs. Feliciano Lopez
  
  Ricky: Contrary to his results so far this week, Lopez is one of the few Spaniards who are at their worst on clay. Lopez pulled off a nice win over Cilic on Wednesday, but this is where his run ends. Ljubicic has been great in 2010 and he is surprisingly impressive on the slow stuff. Ljubicic 7-6(3), 6-2.
  
  Kelli: Neither player has earned great results on clay this year. On this surface, I'd normally give the nod to Ljubicic. He's lost three consecutive matches to the Spaniard, however, including one on clay. Lopez for the win, but not by much, especially if that backhand isn't working. Lopez 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-3.
  
  
  Cheryl: Ivan Ljubicic has officially been reborn - and he now gets the benefit of playing Feliciano Lopez, who surely played well against Cilic, but isn't a clay-courter of the first order. This could be a better match than one might originally expect, just because the clay is playing so fast, but in the Ljubo should get the job done. Ljubicic 6-3, 5-7, 7-5.
  
  
  Stanislas Wawrinka vs. Robin Soderling
  
  Ricky: Normally I would give the edge to Wawrinka on a clay court. In this case, however, it is hard to overlook the fact that Wawrinka just played for three hours and four minutes against Berdych. Furthermore, Soderling is in awesome form regardless of surface. Soderling 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-2.
  
  Kelli: These two have played a couple of really tough matches, but I still see Soderling with the game to get through this one. Wawrinka may be a little fatigued as well, having expended a ton of energy during his match with Berdych. Soderling 7-6(5), 6-4.
  
  
  Cheryl: This could be another upset. Wawrinka actually started playing well in the latter stages of his match against Berdych - and he's really a pretty good clay-courter if he's playing well. The surface benefits Soderling, but I'm calling for the upset. Wawrinka 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-3.
  
  
  David Ferrer vs. Andy Murray
  
  Ricky: In good form, Murray would utterly dismantle Ferrer on a hard court. In bad form on a clay court, the obvious edge goes to Ferrer. Murray actually looked OK on Tuesday, but Seppi is....well, Seppi. Ferrer is a whole different beast and a significant portion of this match will most likely be a free clay-court lesson. Ferrer 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.
  
  Kelli: If this were any other surface, I'd pick Murray over Ferrer. Murray has fallen out of form for the past few months, and I can't see him regaining it on his weakest surface. Regaining it at the expense of human backboard Ferrer is even less likely. Won't be a runaway, but the Spaniard in straight sets. Ferrer 6-4, 7-5.
  
  
  Cheryl: No offense to Murray fans at all, but I have to think the buck stops here for Muzza.  He played pretty well in his second round match, but Ferrer is a serious clay courter with a ferocious return of serve - and the quickness of the clay won't hurt him either. Ferrer 7-5, 6-4.
  
  
  Thomaz Bellucci vs. Novak Djokovic
  
  Ricky: I have been saying for two years now that Bellucci is a possible future French Open champion. That might be going overboard a bit and current form certainly suggests otherwise, but I'm not writing him off yet. Djokovic, though, is starting to recover from his slump and should be able to dismiss Bellucci on the Brazilian's favorite surface. Djokovic 7-5, 4-6, 6-3.
  
  Kelli: This could be a good test for Djokovic, provided Bellucci can find the court with his unpredictable forehand. Even if the Brazilian has a decent day though, the world No. 2 (who has runner-up points to defend) will be far to consistent for him. Djokovic 7-5, 6-2.

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.

ATP Calendar

Date

Tournament

13 May

Rome

Italy, Italy

Draw & Results

20 May

World Team Cup

Dusseldorf, Germany

20 May

Nice

France , France

27 May

French Open

Paris, France

Recommend Tennistalk

Follow us

Poll

Articles - Latest commented

• 
  3

  Nadal headlines third-round action on Thursday
  

  rafaisthebest, May 17, 2012 10:25 AM

• 
  1

  Hewitt to gets his Paris chance
  

  brothdog, May 17, 2012 10:03 AM

• 
  4

  Federer, Ferrero clash in Rome third round
  

  brothdog, May 17, 2012 9:02 AM

• 
  3

  Federer wins Rome opener over Berlocq
  

  brothdog, May 17, 2012 8:55 AM

• 
  1

  Murray gets birthday warning swearing in victory
  

  ts38, May 17, 2012 3:15 AM

Blog - Latest commented

• 
  62
  Approach Shots: Djokovic, Nadal look to rebound on red clay
  

  rafaisthebest, May 17, 2012 10:04 AM

• 
  73
  Novak Djokovic takes up skating at the Madrid ice rink
  

  hawkeye, May 17, 2012 12:53 AM

• 
  207
  Approach shots: On-fire Federer can pass Nadal in Miami
  

  hrsikesa, May 16, 2012 4:23 PM

Tell a friend

Other tennis links

• www.tennisnews.com
• www.sonyericssonwtatour.com
• www.atptennis.com
• Tennisplaza
• More links...