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  • Rogers Cup Second Round Previews

    7/23/08 6:19 AM | Ricky Dimon
    - A jam-packed third day of play in Toronto will feature a nice mix of ball-bashers and wily veterans. Among those in action are Dmitry Tursunov, Nicolas Kiefer, and James Blake.

    Dmitry Tursunov vs. Feliciano Lopez

    Tursunov often heats up on the hard courts, and last week he almost defended his Indianapolis title before falling to Gilles Simon in the final. The Russian moved on to Toronto, where yesterday he eased past Nicolas Lapentti 6-3, 6-4. Tursunov's best results of 2008 also came on hard courts during the first part of the season. He won a title in Sydney and reached the fourth round of the Masters Series Miami. Lopez, however, also loves hard courts and he is one of the few Spaniards who actually prefers fast surfaces over clay. He is ranked No. 23 in the world and his 2008 campaign features a runner-up performance in Dubai and a recent quarterfinal showing at Wimbledon. Tursunov and Lopez possess similar games (big serves, huge forehands, weak mentally) so expect three sets.

    Nicolas Kiefer vs. (16) Mikhail Youzhny

    Kiefer started out slowly in 2008, but starting in May he reached the quarterfinals in Hamburg, the semifinals in Halle, and the third round of Wimbledon. On Monday he scored a nice win over Mardy Fish 7-5, 7-6(4). Youzhny's season has been close to a mirror image, having started out hot but then cooling. The Russian, ranked 17th in the world and No. 13 in the points race, managed to reach the fourth round of Wimbledon so perhaps that will heat him up. Youzhny's speed and athleticism could be too much for the veteran to overcome, but Kiefer can stay in it if he serves well and exploits his opponent's forehand. He needs to avoid the Youzhny one-handed backhand at all costs. The No. 16 seed in two tight sets is the pick.

    Jonas Björkman vs. (7) James Blake

    Björkman is finally slowing down at 36 years old and he is calling it quits at the end of this season. Still, the veteran showed flashes of singles prowess by reaching the semifinals of Memphis back in February. Other than that 2008 has been a huge struggle. Speaking of struggles, Blake lost in the second round of both Wimbledon and the French Open. Nonetheless, the American is No. 8 in the world and in a whole different league than Björkman, and he loves hard courts and the U.S. Open Series. Earlier this year he was runner-up in Delray Beach and he reached the quarterfinals in San Jose, at the Masters Series Indian Wells, and at the Masters Series Miami. Blake should win this in two comfortable sets.

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