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5/11/09 5:00 AM | Ricky Dimon
Ernests Gulbis and Tommy Haas will do battle on Day 2 of the Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open. The winner gets No. 6 seed Andy Roddick in the second round.
It will be the first career meeting between Ernests Gulbis and Tommy Haas when the two struggling players go head-to-head in the first round of the Masters Series Madrid on Monday evening.
Gulbis has been in especially dismal form this season. The 20-year-old Latvian ended 2008 on a streak of second-round losses, and that streak continued through an amazing six tournaments in 2009. Unfortunately for Gulbis, when that streak finally ended, it was because he started losing in first rounds rather than advancing past second rounds. He is 2-7 in his last nine matches dating back to mid-February, including 1-4 on clay.
Haas has been slightly better this year, but not that much better. Injuries have been a minor factor for the 31-year-old German, who has dealt with his fair share of physical problems over the years. Mostly, however, Haas simply has not been able to get into much of a rhythm in 2009, alternating between solid performances and first-round losses. He made it to the third round of the Australian Open (lost to Rafael Nadal) and the quarterfinals in San Jose (lost to Roddick), but failed to get past his openers in Memphis, Delray Beach, and the Masters Series Miami. Haas should be relatively confident heading into Madrid having reached the quarterfinals on the clay courts of Houston and having won two qualifying matches over the weekend to get into the main draw.
In fairness to Gulbis, the picture is not entirely bleak. He is struggling mentally in the early stages of his career, but his talent is undeniable. He showed it by reaching the fourth round of the 2007 U.S. Open, the quarterfinals of the 2008 French Open, and the quarterfinals of the 2008 Masters Series Cincinnati. The world No. 43 also took sets off both Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon and Andy Roddick at the U.S. Open.
With all do respect to Haas, in no way does he control the outcome of Monday's match. If Gulbis can somehow right the ship, he is capable of blowing Haas right off the court--even on clay--with big serves and forehands. His drop-shot could also come in handy in this encounter. Nonetheless, Haas can out-steady his opponent with ease if Gulbis keeps up his current form. Haas in straight sets is the pick.
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