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5/24/11 3:08 AM | Ricky Dimon
Fernando Verdasco and Juan Monaco are prepared to do battle in a tough opening-round matchup on Tuesday at Roland Garros. Robin Soderling is also in action.
Juan Monaco vs. (16) Fernando Verdasco
Verdasco and Monaco will be squaring off for the ninth time in their careers when they meet in the first round of the French Open. Monaco is dominating the head-to-head series 6-2, including 5-1 on clay. He won their two most recent encounters both in straight sets; on the clay courts of Bastad two years ago and last season in Acapulco. This is another big opportunity for Monaco, who has only been mediocre in 2011 but looked solid last week in Dusseldorf. The 43rd-ranked Argentine scored wins over Andrey Golubev and Mardy Fish before losing to Florian Mayer.
Of course, Monaco's chances really have more to do with Verdasco. The 20th-ranked Spaniard has been playing mostly dreadful tennis in 2011. He at least managed to reach the Estoril final last month, but that came in between a first-round exit in Monte-Carlo and a combined 1-2 record in Madrid and Rome. This could be one of the most entertaining matches of round one and it could go either way. However, Monaco should be playing with more confidence than his opponent so look for him to pull off a five-set upset.
Benjamin Becker vs. (5) Robin Soderling
Soderling has made two straight surprising appearances in the French Open final and his bid for a third trip to the last stage begins on Monday. The fifth-ranked Swiss obviously has the firepower to do it again, but he is in Rafael Nadal's section of the draw and has not been playing his best tennis of late. Soderling has not advanced past the quarterfinals in any of his past six events, although he did compile a 3-0 singles record at the World Team Cup.
Up first for the No. 5 seed is Becker, who is dealing with far more significant struggles of his own. The 68th-ranked German is a mere 3-9 at the ATP level for his 2011 campaign and he went back to the Challenger level during the clay-court swing leading up to the French Open. Becker does his best work on faster surfaces, so this matchup does not bode well for him. Soderling has won all three of their previous encounters in straight sets, and this one should be no different.
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So Ryan got in as a lucky loser I guess? Good he got in the main draw but wish it would have been somebody else....Somebody easier :)
numero , 5/24/11 3:36 AM
i believe this is the second time this season that Harrison has been a (Q/LL) against Soderling
RickyDimon , 5/24/11 3:57 AM
Harrison lost to Soderling in the first round of Brisbane this year as a qualifier.
ts38 , 5/24/11 7:25 AM
Verdasco is ahead won the 1st set 6-2 and now a break up in 2nd set
tennis2011 , 5/24/11 5:18 PM
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apparently this is now HARRISON vs. Soderling
RickyDimon , 5/24/11 3:24 AM