6/13/08 9:19 AM | Jonathan Morgan
Halle's Quarterfinal Friday kicks us with some fine matchups.
Roger Federer vs. Marcos Baghdatis
This match, a rematch of the Australian Open 06 final, will feature a pair of shotmakers who seem to have their best results on grass. Federer is riding a 22 match win streak in Halle and a 56 match win streak on grass overall into this match while Baghdatis is trying to get some matches under his belt before the big W. Peter Lundgren, one of Federer's former coaches, is in the corner of Baghdatis now and he has got a shot. Federer's play has been patchy this week and the clay-grass conversion is always difficult. If Marcos can get a good % of first serves in and keep Federer off balance, he can take this. He will need to hit a nice amount of good serves and big forehands, but he can pull it off. Whether or not he WILL, however, is another story entirely.
Phillip Kohlschreiber vs. Robin Soderling
Two fine aggresive players in this one. Some of Soderling's best results in his career have come indoors as he is simply a beast under a roof. Kohlschreiber is the German #1 and will have the crowd 100% behind him. Both players had nice wins in the previous round, beating Haas and Berdych, respectively. These guys play a similar style of game, the aggresive baseliner with big serve that has no problem charging the net style of play. The winner will be determined by who can keep their nerves in check long enough to get the job done. They've played once before, on grass in the Netherlands 3 years ago, in a match that ended 11-9 in the 3rd. Expect a close match once again here.
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Did you know that... Thomas Johansson did not have to face any of the top-10 players when he won the Australian Open in 2002.
RafaNadalGirl20, Aug 29, 2008 7:35 PM
RickyDimon, Aug 29, 2008 3:08 PM
agf25agf, Aug 28, 2008 1:21 PM
cherylmurray, Aug 27, 2008 3:10 PM
BernieEliza, Aug 27, 2008 9:19 AM
Allez, Aug 29, 2008 9:07 PM
elle, Aug 29, 2008 7:27 PM
elle, Aug 29, 2008 7:25 PM
Did you know that... The record for most number of Grand Slam tournaments played is 56 and held by South African Wayne Ferreira.
RafaNadalGirl20, Aug 29, 2008 7:35 PM
RickyDimon, Aug 29, 2008 3:08 PM
agf25agf, Aug 28, 2008 1:21 PM
cherylmurray, Aug 27, 2008 3:10 PM
BernieEliza, Aug 27, 2008 9:19 AM
Allez, Aug 29, 2008 9:07 PM
elle, Aug 29, 2008 7:27 PM
elle, Aug 29, 2008 7:25 PM