Article

  • Amersfoort Semifinal Previews

    7/19/08 8:44 AM | Ricky Dimon
    - It will be the essence of a clay-court battle when Oscar Hernandez and Albert Montanes face off on Saturday in Amersfoort. Steve Darcis and Marc Gicquel will vie for the other final spot.

    (1) Marc Gicquel vs. (3) Steve Darcis

    Gicquel and Darcis also met in Amersfoort last year and the 5'10'' Belgian prevailed 6-3, 6-4 in their only ATP encounter. Gicquel is 53rd in the 2008 points race and finished runner-up to David Ferrer in 's-Hertogenbosch last month before reaching the third round of Wimbledon. Darcis won a hard-court title in Memphis earlier this year, but he has mostly struggled ever since. Both men are looking good this week and neither one has dropped a set in two victories. Few points will come cheap on Saturday, as both players are fast, consistent, can track down a ton of balls, and put them back in the court. This one is too close to call, but a long three-setter should be expected.

    Oscar Hernandez vs. (5) Albert Montanes

    Montanes and Hernandez have already squared off twice this season. Hernandez scored a convincing 6-3, 6-2 win in Warsaw, but Montanes got revenge last week in Stuttgart with a 7-6(4), 6-4 victory. Overall Montanes leads the head-to-head series 2-1, although Hernandez has two victories against Montanes at the Challenger level. Montanes should have the edge in this matchup, and not only because he will be confident after his win over Hernandez in Stuttgart. The 5'9'' Spaniard is really proving this season that he is a force to reckoned with on clay, with quarterfinal performances in both Barcelona and Hamburg. Montanes, seeded fifth this week, also reached the quarterfinals in Stuttgart. Hernandez made it to the semifinals in Houston and the quarterfinals in Warsaw, but other than that he has enjoyed most of his success in Challenger events. Montanes in straight sets is the pick, but it will be a lot closer than his quarterfinal blowout of Jose Acasuso.

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: