Article

  • Suprise Quarterfinal: Rainer Schuettler vs. Arnaud Clement

    7/1/08 3:37 AM | Jonathan Morgan
    - A pair of former Aussie Open finalists will do battle for the honor of playing in the Wimbledon semifinals.

    When the draw came out, surely everyone had Schuettler-Clement penciled into their brackets, it was simple knowledge.

    The truth is that both these guys made the best of a draw as open as a parachute in getting to this showdown match. Their R16 opponents, Tipsarevic and Cilic, were both inexperienced and nervous in their matches while Clement and Schuettler played solid and smart tennis to take their victories.

    As for this match, it is another toss up. Schuettler for years has played mediocre tennis and the retirement question was not if, but when. This may be his last good run before he hangs em up, and he will want to make the best of it. Clement is another former top 10 player that has seriously fallen off the map. His ranking has doubled this year as his good years look well behind him.

    Oddly enough, these guys played in the Australian Open 1st round this year, with Schuettler winning in 4 sets. Clement is younger by a few years and still has the fitness and stamina advantage over Schuettler. Rainer has the power advantage, but this match will be won in the trenches on the baseline and can go either way.

    Whichever way it goes, one of them will make their first Wimbledon semifinal, a stellar achievement.

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Comments

I feel sorry for whichever of them wins and has to face Nadal who is going from strength to strength. It is a pity he, Nadal that is, will not be given a proper match in the semis from either Schuettler or Clement to prepare him for the final against Federer - who is on top form and has had a pretty easy stroll through the tournament to date.

ed251137 , 7/3/08 8:27 AM



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