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1/2/12 5:35 PM | Ricky Dimon
Rafael Nadal begins his 2012 season on Tuesday against Philipp Kohlschreiber. They are joined in Doha first-round action by Mikhail Youzhny and Ernests Gulbis.
(1) Rafael Nadal vs. Philipp Kohlschreiber
Nadal kicks off his 2012 campaign in the first round of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open on Tuesday against a tough opponent, but one he has owned in the past. The second-ranked Spaniard leads the head-to-head series against Kohlschreiber 7-0, including 4-0 on hard courts. They did not face each other last season after Nadal won a trio of 2010 encounters.
Doha's No. 1 seed heads into the year with a few question marks, having been blown out by Roger Federer at the World Tour Finals and failing to reach the semis following another loss to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Kohlschreiber went 31-27 in 2011, but he is well below his normal standard at No. 43 in the rankings. Kohlschreiber cannot be discounter, but Nadal in straight sets is the pick.
Ernests Gulbis vs. (7) Mikhail Youzhny
Gulbis and Youzhny will be going head-to-head for the fifth time in their careers when they clash in the Doha first round on Tuesday. Youzhny won a 2007 meeting, but Gulbis has had the Russian's number ever since. The Latvian prevailed twice in 2010 then dominated Youzhny in round one of last year's U.S. Open.
Aside from that victory and a title in Los Angeles, Gulbis mostly slumped through 2011. He is down at No. 61 in the world after compiling a dismal 18-22 record. Youzhny wasn't much better, going 27-24. The veteran is also way off his career-high ranking at No. 35 in the world. Because Gulbis normally only plays well when he is already in the midst of a hot streak, Youzhny should take this one and avenge recent setbacks.
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"Gulbis normally only plays well when he is already in the midst of a hot streak" - which begs the question "How does he reach the middle of a hot streak without playing well ?"
Exactly three years ago in Brisbane Gulbis beat Djokovic in the opening round. Admittedly Novak was playing with a new type racket, but nevertheless the point I want to make still stands.. The point being that no one should rely on Gulbis to win or lose any match. So I expect you'd (perhaps recluctantly) agree Ricky tha only a fool would place money on any Gulbis match.
lwalters , 1/2/12 9:42 PM
I said "normally" because, as you say, you have to do something in order to get on a hot streak.
Although, to argue otherwise, Gulbis' hot streak in LA started with a choke by Malisse followed by getting to play Daniel Kosakowski in the second round. His hot streak at the '08 French started with an incredibly favorable draw.
Nobody should ever put $ on a match involving Gulbis, but if you insist, don't put it on him to win.
RickyDimon , 1/2/12 11:41 PM
I am in complete agreement with Ricky concerning Gulbis. He said it all when it comes to Gulbis. Nothing more to add.
Nativenewyorker , 1/3/12 2:33 AM
Kolschrieber is no easy pickings so Vamos Rafa & good luck. Hope he plays more aggressively to shorten the points.
schatz , 1/3/12 1:41 PM
Kohli up a break in the 2nd
RickyDimon , 1/3/12 5:12 PM
Ricky, drop of level by nadal or Kolschreiber upped his?
bleck , 1/3/12 5:23 PM
Kohl plays like Mayer at Shanghai in this second set. He comes to the net so often and forced Rafa further back from the baseline. Rafa was 30% inside the court in set one but now only 9%.
luckystar , 1/3/12 5:32 PM
Brilliant tie break from Kohls but the commies tell me he always takes a set off Rafa but never a match so I guess all Rafa fans still ON sofa ;)
deuce , 1/3/12 6:23 PM
Take the third Rafa.
Vamos!
vrael , 1/3/12 6:43 PM
Kohlschreiber played well, epic choke by Gulbis
RickyDimon , 1/3/12 7:04 PM
Looks like Rafa got a good workout
How did he play folks? what parts of his game were working and what weren't?
Kohl is always a tough opponent for Rafa, his wins against Kohl are never straightforward..have seen some of their matches..
Dsappointed though he didnt take 2nd set tiebreak..has to address those nerves..
sanju , 1/3/12 7:06 PM
Kohl put up a good fight esp second set. A lot of unforced errors from RNadal, 17 in second set, but he did play well off the backfoot, Kohl really upped the anti during the second set becoming more aggressive coming to the net and like you said Lucky forced RNadal back from the baseline. Heavier racket seems to have benefited RNadals serve though.
mojo , 1/3/12 7:11 PM
Glad Rafa won against a Kohlschreiber who was playing well as he is always a tricky customer at the best of times. Given that he is playing with a new raquet maybe not such a bad performance after all. Congrats and Vamos!
schatz , 1/3/12 7:15 PM
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Vamos Rafa
nadline , 1/2/12 8:11 PM