Ricky Dimon

• French Open Expert Picks: Day 9

  2010-05-31 04:29:43
  

  Expert picks are back for Monday at the French Open and we welcome "vamosrafa" as Sunday's picking champion. Join the fun in the comments section for the right to become a guest picker later in the tournament!
  
  (22) Jurgen Melzer vs. Teimuraz Gabashvili
  
  Ricky "Berdych" Dimon: Melzer's career has been so uninteresting that it is actually becoming one of the most interesting on the pro tour...if that makes sense. If it seems like he has been ranked 30th in the world his entire career, it's because...well, he HAS! Prior to this French Open, he had been to the third round of a slam 11 times, and had lost all 11 times. Now he looks ready to make the jump to a slam semifinal. Gabashvili destroyed Andy Roddick, but Melzer is no Roddick on clay. Melzer 6-3, 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-3.
  
  Cheryl "Murray" Murray: This IS the French Open and not Sopot, right? Kidding. But you can't deny that a Melzer vs. Gaba match in the round of 16 at a slam is...unusual. The reality is that both men have been fortunate with the draw. Gabashvili got to play Roddick. On clay. A loss would have been an upset. I guess if I have to choose between them, Gaba is the better clay-courter, so I'm going with the Russian. Gabashvili 6-3, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2.
  
  vamos "Federer" rafa: Both are coming off with great wins in their own rights. Gaba can hit the ball really hard and with the crowd on his side, look for the Russian to make a surprising run into the quarterfinals despite not having won two consecutive matches on the tour this season prior to this event. Gabashvili 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-2.
  
  (3) Novak Djokovic vs. Robby Ginepri
  
  Ricky: Djokovic has put some of the breathing-related questions to rest with three victories so far at Roland Garros, but he is not in top form and his serve is in shambles. Ginepri is a confidence player, and right now he has it. His win over Juan Carlos Ferrero was one of the biggest of his career. I'm not sure Ginepri will be able to do something so drastic as to reach the quarters of a clay-court major, but this will be close than people think. Djokovic 7-5, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(4).
  
  Cheryl: There is going to be no American in the quarterfinals of RG. Again. Listen, Ginepri isn't going to win this match. Novak is a better player than the American even on his best surface. Ginepri beat a fatigued JCF in the third round, but Djokovic isn't tired. This has all of the makings of a blowout. Djokovic 6-2, 6-2, 6-1.
  
  vamosrafa: Amazingly, it is Robby who's the last American standing in the draw and he played some good tennis to overcome the veteran and former champion Ferrero. Djokovic suddenly looks to have gathered enough steam and momentum to make a strong run into the semifinals. Djokovic has been erratic with his serving recently, but Ginepri lacks the necessary prowess to make Djokovic pay for this chink, so look for the No. 3 seed to put up an impressive display of shots from the baseline to dominate the match. Djokovic 6-3, 6-4, 6-3.
  
  (7) Fernando Verdasco vs. (19) Nicolas Almagro
  
  Ricky: I predicted Almagro would play--and beat--Verdasco when the draw came out last weekend, and there is no reason to think otherwise now. A fatigued Verdasco has done very well to reach the fourth round and he just gutted out a tough five-set win over Philipp Kohlschreiber. This is where all the tennis will catch up to Verdasco finally, and Almagro will have plenty to do with that. Almagro is one of the best clay-courters in the business. Almagro 4-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-3.
  
  Cheryl: Oooohhh.  This could well be the match of the tournament so far. These two guys have been fantastic on the dirt this spring. The fact that they meet in the round of 16 is a pity. For both players. I expect this one to go the distance - and the longer it goes, the better chance Almagro has of winning. Almagro 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.
  
  vamosrafa: These two know each other pretty well and have been playing consistently well lately. Verdasco's body must have taken a toll after that 5-set marathon win over Kohlschreiber and the fact that he entered the tournament somewhat jaded does not bode well for him. The dogged dirt-baller Almagro is poised to avenge the last year's defeat and score his maiden win over Fernando. Almagro 6-3, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4.
  
  (2) Rafael Nadal vs. (24) Thomaz Bellucci
  
  Ricky: I've been on the Bellucci bandwagon (clay-court bandwagon, I should say) every since he dominated the Challenger circuit in 2008. He had to play Nadal in the French Open first round that year and he won nine games. A far more experienced player now, Bellucci should win even more this time and can be expected to give Nadal his toughest test of the tournament to date. Call me crazy, but I think the Brazilian is a potential future Roland Garros winner. That said, this is still going to be a straight-setter. Nadal 6-4, 7-5, 6-3.
  
  Cheryl: Rafa is not going to lose this match. He just isn't. Bellucci might put up a fight. He might get a few service breaks, but this is Nadal's tournament - and the Spaniard is playing WELL. I expect Rafa's streak of straight-set wins to continue. Nadal 6-4, 7-5, 6-4.
  
  vamosrafa: A sunny day is expected so look for Nadal's forehand to work like a gattling gun. Since 2005, Nadal has dropped only one set to fellow lefty players on clay (Nieminen , Barcelona 2005) so he really punishes fellow lefties. Nadal will try his best to put up a splendid performance so as to dispatch a warning to the rest of the field and build up insurmountbale momentum like he has done so many times at this particular event. Bellucci should be looking for every opportunity to attack with his forehand, but a lack of dimensions in the Brazilian's game will cost him the match. Nadal to ride a rollercoaster into the quarterfinals and register a 35-1 record at Roland Garros. Nadal 6-2 6-3 6-3.

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