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2/3/09 3:48 AM | Ricky Dimon
Three Croats are in action on Tuesday at the PBZ Zagreb Indoors, led by Ivo Karlovic during the night session. Jurgen Melzer, meanwhile, takes on Evgeny Korolev.
(5) Jurgen Melzer vs. Evgeny Korolev
If this one is as competitive as the only previous encounter between Melzer and Korolev, we're in for an exciting match. Melzer got the best of Korolev two years ago at the Tennis Channel Open in Las Vegas, prevailing 6-7(4), 6-2, 7-6(4). Korolev is still just 20 years old, but he has not improved as much as one might have expected since that first meeting. Injuries were part of the problem last season for the Russian, who is currently ranked 115th in the world. He started off slowly in 2009 as well, losing in the qualifying of both Brisbane and Sydney. At the Australian Open, however, Korolev won three qualifying matches and then beat Carlos Moya before losing to Roger Federer. Melzer is a solid 32nd in the world, just four places behind his career high. The Australian lost in the second round of Brisbane and the first round of Sydney, but won two matches in Melbourne before falling to Andy Murray. Hard courts suit both players, and Korolev is dangerous because he practically hits every shot as hard as he can. As such, an upset is not out of the question, but count on Melzer advancing unless Korolev is absolutely on fire.
Philipp Petzschner vs. (3) Ivo Karlovic
Karlovic is enduring a tough stretch that started following a semifinal appearance at last summer's Masters Series Cincinnati, but he is still 25th in the ATP rankings. The 6'10'' Croat ended 2008 in a slump and it hasn't been much better for him so far this season. Karlovic lost to Somdev Devvarman in the Chennai quarterfinals and lost to countryman Mario Ancic in the second round of the Australian Open. Petzschner, four spots behind his career high at 67th in the world, won a surprising indoor title in Vienna last fall. The German, however, is struggling at the beginning of 2009. He lost badly to Murray in the Doha and second round and then fell to little-known Brian Dabul in the first round of the Australian Open. Last week he was ousted in the second round of a Challenger event by Adrian Mannarino. Still, an upset is possible because both men have huge serves, so the match could come down to just a few key points here and there. But Karlovic will have a home-court advantage in Croatia, so look for him to stay focused and advance in three sets. Meanwhile, two other Croats will be featured on center court on Tuesday. Seventh-seeded Mario Ancic takes on Lukas Lacko and wildcard Nikola Mektic meets Jan Hernych.
(8) Simone Bolelli vs. Viktor Troicki
This showdown between Bolelli and Troicki is taking place on court 1 instead of center court since no Croat is involved, but it could end up being the best match of the day. Bolelli has returned to 37th in the world rankings, tied for his career high. The Italian is off to a solid but unspectacular start to 2008. He won one match in Sydney before succumbing to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, then advanced a round at the Australian Open before losing to Mardy Fish. Troicki also has a .500 match record so far this season at 3-3 (compared to Bolelli's 2-2). The 6'4'' Serb lost in the first round of Doha, reached the quarterfinals of Auckland, and most recently got blown out by Tommy Robredo in the second round of the Australian Open. Both Bolelli and Troicki enjoyed one primary highlight in 2008. Bolelli had a runner-up finish on the clay courts--his preferred surface--of Munich. Troicki also reached an ATP final, losing to Juan Martin Del Potro on the hard courts of Washington, D.C. The indoor surface in Zagreb will favor Troicki, but given current form, Bolelli should be able to hold off his opponent in a tight three-setter.
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