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8/28/11 9:53 PM | Ricky Dimon
A tough first-round matchup between Ivo Karlovic and Fernando Gonzalez is part of Monday's schedule at the U.S. Open. Richard Gasquet and Sergiy Stakhovsky are also in action.
Ivo Karlovic vs. Fernando Gonzalez
Karlovic and Gonzalez will be squaring off for the third time in their careers when they clash in the first round of the U.S. Open on Monday. Both of their previous encounters came at Queen's Club, in 2005 and 2008, with Karlovic prevailing in straight sets on both occasions. Gonzalez should have a better chance on hard courts, but only if his health is 100 percent. The veteran Chilean has played only six ATP matches this season due to injury and he is way down at No. 296 in the world.
Although Karlovic has also dealt with physical problems of late, the big man is rounding into form this summer. He is back in the Top 100 at No. 94 in the world and he compiled a 3-2 match record at the recent Masters events in Montreal and Cincinnati. Gonzalez's only real shot is for Karlovic to miss a ton of first serves, and even then he likely won't have enough of a victory margin in the baseline rallies. Count of the 6'10'' Croat advancing in no more than four sets.
Sergiy Stakhovsky vs. (13) Richard Gasquet
Stakhovsky and Gasquet both enjoyed strong showings at last year's U.S. Open, but one will be out after the first round this time. In 2010, Stakhovsky reached the third round by saving three consecutive match points and outlasting Ryan Harrison 8-6 in a fifth-set tiebreaker. Gasquet booked a spot in the fourth round before losing to fellow Frenchman Gael Monfils in three tight sets. This is the third career encounter between the two players and the head-to-head series is tied up at one win apiece. Stakhovsky took their most recent meeting in straight sets at last season's Toronto Masters.
Current form gives a clear edge to Gasquet, who is 31-15 for his 2011 campaign and up to No. 13 in the world. He recently advanced to the third round in both Montreal and Cincinnati. Stakhovsky had been struggling, but he made his way to the Winston-Salem quarterfinals last week before falling to Julien Benneteau in three sets. An upset by the 55th-ranked Ukrainian is not out of the question, but Gasquet in four sets is the pick.
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