Article

  • Amersfoort Quarterfinal: Albert Montanes vs. Jose Acasuso

    7/18/08 12:49 AM | Ricky Dimon
    - If Albert Montanes and Jose Acasuso are playing well, this will be free lesson in clay-court tennis. These two dirtball specialists are battling for a spot in the Amersfoort semifinals.

    Albert Montanes and Jose Acasuso just can't get enough of each other.

    The two clay-courters will square off for the third time in two months on Sunday in the quarterfinals of the Dutch Open in Amersfoort. After four previous losses to Acasuso, Montanes defeated the Argentine at the Masters Series Hamburg leading up to the French Open and again last week in Stuttgart. Both wins came in straight sets. Overall, however, Acasuso still has 4-2 edge in career meetings with Montanes, and 6-2 including Challenger events.

    Taking current form and recent head-to-head results into account, Montanes' chances of making it three straight against Acasuso appear outstanding. The 5'9'' Spaniard is really proving this season that he is a force to reckoned with on the red stuff, with quarterfinal performances in both Barcelona and Hamburg. Montanes, seeded fifth this week, also reached the quarterfinals in Stuttgart, where he took out Acasuso and Oscar Hernandez before falling to Richard Gasquet.

    Having started out hot but since cooled off, Acasuso is in the midst of a season opposite to that of Montanes. Amersfoort's No. 2 seed enjoyed runner-up and semifinal performances during the first clay-court swing, yet he is just 3-6 on clay starting with Barcelona in late April. Acasuso is down to No. 54 in the ATP rankings and checks in at 47th in the 2008 points race.

    As if his confidence was not already suffering, Acasuso will certainly be thinking about those two recent losses to Montanes when he takes the court on Thursday. With both the mental and physical edge at the moment, Montanes should get through this in straight sets.

Tell a friend »

Comments


Write comment

You have to be logged in to comment. If you do not have an account, click here to register. It only takes a minute and you'll be redirected back to this page.
Username:

Password: