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  • 4 matches on tap in Memphis on Thursday

    2/28/08 4:51 AM | Jonathan Morgan
    - The 2nd round in Memphis will conclude on Thursday with Querrey, Don Young, Guccione, and a trio of Swedes entertaining.

    Robin Soderling vs. Victor Hanescu

    This one will be easy pickins for Soderling. He missed the Australian Open with an injury, but since coming back, he's played fantastic. A quarterfinal showing in Marseille, beating Gasquet en route as well as a final in Rotterdam the following week, losing in a 3rd set tiebreak to Llodra. Both tournaments were indoors, like Memphis. Soderling is simply an indoor beast. Hanescu, on the other hand, is definitely more of a clay courter. He has yet to win a match this year on the tour, 4 hard court matches. He spent most of last year going from clay challenger to clay ATP event, shying from hard courts. Soderling with his big serve and power game will have the definitive advantage and should have no problem putting Hanescu away.

    Chris Guccione v. Thomas Johansson

    A tough match this one, it can go either way. Both posess big serves, but Johansson is definitely better from the back of the court. Guccione in his first round match benefitted from some clutch serving to win 2 tiebreaks and save 7 break points against Robert Kendrick. Johansson beat Safin in the first round (Safin losing first round, hmmm, sadly, that line is way overused lately). The Swede had a very solid match all around. He took his chances when he needed to, he threw down 18 aces, perfect tiebreaks, and let Safin self-destruct when Safin wanted to self-destruct. As for this matchup, they have never played each other and Guccione is 10 years Johansson's junior. Despite that, I am taking the wily veteran for the win.

    Alejandro Falla v. Donald Young

    Ah yes, Donald Young. 3-16 on the ATP tour coming into this match. Despite such an abysmal record, he should have a good chance here. His first round win was against Sam Warburg, a lucky loser replacement for James Blake. In that match, Young won 80% of his first serve points and was never broken. Falla is more of a clay courter, but has got some hard court game. He even was able to beat Ljubicic in Lyon last year. Of course, a win over Ljubicic at this stage in the Croat's career isn't saying THAT much, but it's still a nice scalp to have. All in all, Young has a shot, but Falla's experience should be too much for Young.

    Sam Querrey v. Jonas Bjorkman

    Another matchup of big serving Swedish vetean vs. big serving English speaking young-un. Unfortunately for Bjorkman, Querrey should take this one. Bjorkman has been struggling of late, losing in the first round of a challenger a few weeks ago while only posting 2 wins thus far this year. Querrey has been very disappointing considering his potential, but he should be able to serve his way into a win in this match. Querrey in his first round affair against Russell looked sluggish and out of place. He won it 7-5 in the 3rd, but not after sweating it out. Bjorman in his first round match looked spectacular, but Capdeville was utter garbage. This match will be Querrey's to lose, and Bjorkman can steal the upset here. I wouldn't plan on it, however.

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