Munich may5th-10th
First Round Matches
KOHLSCHREIBER, Philipp vsPHAU, Bjorn selection = Philipp Kohlschreiber
Phau started well this year but has been struggling last month or so. Lost in a challenger last week second round and Kohlschreiber although not a great clay courter has far to much good form of late to lose this match.
YOUZHNY, Mikhail vs MINAR, Ivo selection = Mikhail Youzhny
Minar pulled out of challenger last week with tonsillitis and has not beaten anybody of any significance this year. Youzhny, although not having a good year by his standards, qualified last week in rome and has the quality to beat Minar.
KIEFER, Nicolas vs GULBIS, Ernests selection = Nicolas Kiefer
This was a slightly tougher match to call with neither player really in good form at the moment and not played much this year. Gulbis has not won a match on clay this year and is more suited to the hard courts. Kiefer has a reasonable record on clay and won a round last week in Rome.
KOROLEV, Evgeny vs CHARDY, Jeremy selection = Evgeny Korolev
Although lower ranked than Chardy he seems to have a reasonable record on the clay recently making a semi final in texas earlier this month. Chardy on the other hand seems to prefer the hard and has only won one match on clay this year. Another tough match to call.
BRANDS, Daniel vs KOUBEK, Stefan selection = Daniel Brands
This match was a little easier to call as Koubek has not played on the clay this year yet and Brands made a semi in Greece challenger in Greece not long ago. Could benefit from home country support
BOHLI, Stephane vs BOLELLI, Simone selection = Simone Bolelli
Jarkko pulled out today so Bohli got in as a lucky loser. Bolelli should win this very comfortably as he is a strong clay court player and Bohli has not won on clay at any level yet this year.
STARACE, Potito vs KUNITSYN, Igor selection = Potito Starace
A close match to call with Kunitsyn being higher ranked however Starace has a good record on clay and has had some good results so far this year. Potential for good odds on this match
VASSALLO ARGUELLO, Martin vs GREMELMAYR, Denis selection = Martin Vassallo Arguello
Had some good results in the last few weeks and a reasonable clay court record. Denis on the other hand has struggled on the clay so far this year and has not had any really strong wins so far this season.
HEWITT, Lleyton vs PETZSCHNER, Philipp = Lleyton Hewitt
Easy call this one. Hewitt won Texas on the clay a few weeks ago and has a great career record on the clay. Philipp has not played on clay this year and has a dreadful clay court record. Definate bet
BECK, Andreas vs ZVEREV, Mischa selection = Mischa Zverev
Toughest match to call so far. Both had really good form recently picking up wins against top players. Beck won their last meeting which was on grass however Zverev has a better clay court record. Last week Zverev had an astonishing week last week and I hope to see a repeat performance
PEYA, Alexander vs BENNETEAU, Julien selection = Julien Benneteau
Has played well recently and always performs well on the clay. Peya on the other hand has struggled even at challenger level this year
OUAHAB, Lamine vs MATHIEU, Paul-Henri selection = Paul-Henri Mathieu
Lamine has not beaten anybody ranked higher than 90 this year and although having played on clay most of the season so far he has not done much damage in any tournaments. Mathieu had good win last week in Rome and is looking to come back to some good form
SCHUETTLER, Rainer vs DE BAKKER, Thiemo selection = Thiemo De Bakker
Schuettler has not won a match on the clay yet this year and De Bakker won a challenger on the clay last month. Has won some good matches in qualifying and has good confidence under his belt. Very long odds on this match
KLOER, Sascha vs BERDYCH, Tomas selection = Tomas Berdych
Berdych is in a different league to this guy. The clay is not his best surface however he has to much quality to lose here.
KINDLMANN, Dieter vs CILIC, Marin selection = Marin Cilic
Marin has been playing well lately and Kindlmann has only ever won 1 match at this level. No contest
That is all the matches up on the draw at the moment. I will modify my post again once the new draw is up
many thanks
dj