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3/7/08 2:37 PM | Ricky Dimon
It will be the first-ever head-to-head matchup for two Las Vegas quarterfinalists when Robby Ginepri takes on Ernests Gulbis. That’s just one of the reasons why it’s hard to predict which talent-rich player will prevail. Both Ginepri and Gulbis are capable of getting on hot streaks that feature virtually unbeatable tennis, but both are equally prone to dismal slumps. While this one could be a lopsided affair if one plays well and the other falls into one of those funks, if this week is any indication it will be a wildly entertaining and hotly-contested showdown.
Ginepri is just now soaring out of a two-year slump that has left him well outside the Top 100 in the world rankings and he is enjoying one of the best hot streaks of his career. The American made it to consecutive semifinals in his previous two tournaments before heading to Las Vegas. He pulled off a three-set win over compatriot Mardy Fish to reach the semis in Delray Beach, then got revenge for his semifinal loss there by destroying James Blake the very next week in the quarterfinals of San Jose. At the Tennis Channel Open, Ginepri has been near-flawless ever since his first set of the tournament. In the first round he rallied past Xavier Malisse 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 and on Thursday night upset third-seeded Marcos Baghdatis 7-6(2), 6-3.
Gulbis, a talented 19-year-old from Latvia, has not been around long enough to have experienced the same kind of extreme peaks and valleys as Ginepri. Still, he too knows what it’s like at both ends of tennis’ momentum spectrum. Last summer he stormed out of nowhere to reach the fourth round of the U.S. Open. Gulbis won his first three matches all in straight sets and the surge included a stunning display of shot-making in a 6-1, 6-3, 6-2 destruction of Tommy Robredo. Save for a Challenger title in Belgium and a quarterfinal appearance in St. Petersburg, it’s been mostly downhill since then. Prior to Las Vegas, Gulbis’ 2008 campaign produced a minor knee injury to go along with a dismal 1-4 match record. This week, however, it looks like his hard-fought victory over Nicolas Massu in the first round has renewed his confidence. Gulbis followed up that win on Thursday with a 6-2, 6-1 rout of Peter Luczak.
When he is playing well, Ginepri is a top 20 talent. If Gulbis keeps getting better and learns to play smarter tennis, going for huge winner forehands at the opportune times, he has top 10 potential. Gulbis has a much bigger serve, although more inconsistent, and Ginepri does not have a weapon like the Gulbis forehand. Right now, however, Ginepri should have a slight edge in the head-to-head matchup. If he plays like he did against Baghdatis, he will eventually break Gulbis down just like he did the third seed. Ginepri will be able to frustrate Gulbis into going for ill-advised shots by getting ball after ball back in the court. Don’t be surprised, however, to see Gulbis power his way to one set with lethal serve-forehand combinations.
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Did you know that... Roger Federer didn’t lose a single set during the Australian Open in 2005.
kaitepai, Dec 2, 2008 9:14 PM
Casper, Dec 2, 2008 6:28 PM
RickyDimon, Dec 2, 2008 5:57 PM
tennisgirl, Dec 1, 2008 11:48 PM
lendl, Dec 1, 2008 6:17 PM
Casper, Dec 2, 2008 8:23 PM
Casper, Dec 2, 2008 8:02 PM
Casper, Dec 2, 2008 7:27 PM
Robby Ginepri
Ernests Gulbis
Tennis Channel Open
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Tennistalk v1.3.0
I can't predict a winner, but sure that Gulbis is ready for the first ATP title. And situation is really good for him. In other tournaments he always get a very experienced opponent in first round and he is not ready to beat them. But now, I would say, the situation is perfect and if he will not use this, than never(at least in this year).
Btw, if you have any information about Gulbis new coach, I would be very happy if you share with it.
Raitis , 3/7/08 9:23 PM