Article

  • Battle of the streakiest in Metz: Gulbis vs. Tipsarevic

    10/1/08 4:05 PM | David Cox
    - This afternoon's second round clash pits together two of the streakiest players on tour, Ernests Gulbis and Janko Tipsarevic.

    At the moment “the beard from Belgrade” is in a bit of a slump, having not been past the second round of an event since Wimbledon. Despite showcasing plenty of talent over the past few seasons, Tipsarevic has never mustered a ranking higher than No. 35 in the world.

    There's no question that he has the ball-striking ability and athleticism of a top 20 player. It can only be that he cannot raise himself against the lower ranked guys, while he seems to only be able to produce his very best against the top 10. As an example he beat David Ferrer at the Olympics but next day fell to Olivier Rochus. At Wimbledon he looked sensational against Andy Roddick but fell to Rainer Schuettler two rounds later.

    Gulbis seems to be developing more consistency and applying some cerebral power to go with the physical power that has earned him some impressive results this season. The runs at Roland Garros and Cincinnati have catapulted him up the dangerous floaters chart and you can bet Roddick was sweating at the thought of meeting him so early in New York.

    Gulbis was hugely impressive in dispatching Ancic in the first round, out-serving the Croat which takes some doing. Tipsarevic was made to work harder than he'd have liked by home favorite Jeremy Chardy before edging past his opponent 7-6, 7-5.

    Gulbis and Tipsarevic played early this year in Barcelona and Gulbis was ahead 6-4, 4-2 when Tipsarevic retired. A straight-set win for the Latvian today is the pick.

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Comments

It was in straight sets,but for Janko

Amatildana , 10/1/08 9:45 PM


turning into most unreliable player this gulbis. win one match, then lose the next one. waste of a talent!

elle , 10/2/08 12:34 AM


im so upset..he's wasting away his talent! what is going on with his head? he had some serious meltdowns during this match..

gulbisfreak , 10/2/08 12:53 AM


Too bad - saw Gulbis play in Cincy and he looked solid with moments of brilliance. Going so far as to say he is wasting his talent is a little harsh.

tenisbebe , 10/2/08 5:45 AM


Its called " developing " you eggs, not "wasting talent". That implys hes sitting on his ass doing nothing. Clearly hes trying.

kaitepai , 10/3/08 1:33 AM



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