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  • Preview: San Jose Day 1

    2/18/08 6:49 PM | Jonathan Morgan
    - A bit of an early start in San Jose, 9:30 AM local time. But of course, that time zone is torture for tennis fans in most of the world, so 9:30 will suit most just fine.

    But, Kristof Vliegen and Victor Hanescu, who play said match, won't be the happiest people around, having to play at such an abominable hour. As for the match itself. Vliegen should take it. Vliegen is more of a hard court player than Hanescu is. Both are over 190 cm, so big serves will be a factor, especially considering this is an indoor event. Expect some tiebreaks with Vliegen prevailing in the match. Also take into account that Hanescu was supposed to play in Delray last week, but pulled out last second. Whether he has recovered entirely is yet to be seen.

    Bobby Reynolds vs. Benedikt Dorsch

    Reynolds shouldn't have too much trouble with this German qualifier. Dorsch is quite the journeyman, bouncing around challengers for much of his career and not really doing too much damage anywhere else. Look for Reynolds to take it to him. Dorsch did, however, beat Chris Guccione in the final round of qualifying, so he does have some game. They played once before, in a challenger last year in Mississippi, with Reynolds winning in 2. I expect Reynolds to win, but Dorsch might push it to a 3rd.

    Paul Capdeville vs. Radek Stepanek

    Capdeville comes into this match having not won a match on hard or indoor against a player inside the top 600 since October. This will be their first career meeting. Stepanek has won several tough matches on hard this year and before, reaching the Sydney semis, playing Federer tough in Davis Cup in September, and reaching the Moscow quarters, being Tursunov along the way. Expect Stepanek to use his big serve to set up points and finish at the net. An old school player. Capdeville should have no chance.

    Jurgen Melzer vs. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez

    This one is a bit tough to call. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (GGL), is surely a better clay courter, but he's no slouch on hard. He's reached the quarters of the Chennai event this year and had 2 good wins in Australia before falling to Tsonga. He also played well in the Wroclaw challenger, reaching the quarters. Melzer on the other hand has dedicated himself more to doubles this year, but has still done some damage in singles. He went 3-3 in the month of January before playing the aforementioned Challenger in Wroclaw, Poland. He reached the finals before falling to Vliegen. Along the way, he did take out Stepanek, a quality win. These two have played once before, on clay back in 06. Not relevent here. This one is a toss-up.

    Steve Darcis vs. Jesse Levine

    Darcis is the clay courter who has had sub-par results on hard courts, while Levine is the American lefty hardcourt player who tore up the challenger tour late last year but has yet to back it up thus far in 2008. Levine should take this one, as Darcis is really not a threat off the clay. Levine will look to get his groove back, the groove that jumped his ranking up considerable late last year. He has not been impressive in 2008, but he has got the skills.

    Also playing today are Pete Sampras and Tommy Haas in an exhibition match, which should be fun for all involved. Sampras will play Federer once again in New York at the Garden in March.

    Florent Serra vs. John Isner

    Isner is making his first return to the ATP circuit since his first round beatdown at the hands of the magician Fabrice Santoro back in Australia. Isner, like Levine, also played well late last year, from his taking of a set vs. Federer at the US Open to his good results on challengers in the fall. He will look to use his big serve to dominate points. He is actually competent at the net, a rarity in the game these days as many players have the touch of a brick layer. Since it is indoors, serve and volley might be a good play. Serra hasn't been too great in 2008 either, only winning 3 matches so far, and in tough fashion each of them. Serra has proved in the past that he is a good player on hard, but that Serra hasn't manifested himself in some time. Isner should be well rested and win this match.

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