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  • Monte-Carlo Preview: Third Quarter, Second Round

    4/23/08 6:49 AM | Ricky Dimon
    - Juan Monaco and Nicolas Almagro highlight Wednesday’s proceedings in the third quarter of the Monte-Carlo draw, but several other matches look enticing. A trio of Russians has led the charge into the second round.

    (8) Mikhail Youzhny vs. Igor Andreev

    Youzhny started off 2008 on a torrid pace, winning the title in Chennai and then reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. It’s been a struggle ever since, however, for the Russian. While Youzhny can play on all surfaces, he would prefer to stay on hard courts rather than move to the clay. His opponent in the Monte-Carlo second round, on the other hand, is at home on the dirt. Andreev’s ridiculously heavy topspin forehand is lethal on the red stuff and it will force Youzhny to work extremely hard for the win. Youzhny won the only previous meeting between these two compatriots, but that came on a hard court and Andreev should have a great chance of getting revenge due to the different surface.

    (16) Philipp Kohlschreiber vs. Nicolas Kiefer

    This second-round showdown is yet another battle between countrymen, although this time it’s an all-German affair. The 30-year-old Kiefer got the best of Kohlschreiber on the Hamburg clay back in 2005, but that was before his younger opponent had come into his own. Kohlschreiber, now 24 and ranked 31st in the world, really made a name for himself with his epic win over Andy Roddick at the Australian Open three months ago. Neither one of these guys particularly loves the clay, and while a slower pace would normally favor Kiefer, Kohlschreiber simply has more talent and his one-handed backhand is something for which Kiefer does not have an answer. Plus Kohlschreiber looked good in his first-round win over clay-court guru Jose Acasuso.

    Simone Bolelli vs. (4) Nikolay Davydenko

    Bolelli and Davydenko might not be compatriots, but they are quite familiar with each other having just faced off in the third round of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami. The Italian was on the brink of victory in the second set, but Davydenko ultimately prevailed 6-1 in the third. Bolelli looked great in a 6-2, 6-2 first-round destruction of Juan Ignacio Chela on Tuesday, but the Russian is a whole different beast. Davydenko won the title in Miami and then reached the final last week in Valencia before retiring to Roger Federer. As long as Davydenko is healthy he should take this, but another close battle should be anticipated.

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Comments

Is Davydenko fit to play?

Superman , 4/23/08 11:07 AM


apparently - he took out Bolelli in straights

RickyDimon , 4/23/08 3:10 PM



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