The Federer Section: Going Out on a Limb

Roger Federer is the best tennis player of all-time.  He is in good shape and ready to go.  Don’t expect an early-round disaster for Roger the Great.  (See that’s why you read BSB–the top-rate analysis and dead-on predictions.) 

EARLY ROUNDS:
Federer (1)
Hartfield
Santoro
Isner
Yes, I am picking Federer to get through the first two round–crazy, I know.  However, don’t be surprised if he doesn’t completely cruise in round 2 against either Jon Isner (who took a set off of him at the US Open) or the shifty Fabrice Santoro.

Tipsarevic
Sirianni
Ascione
Verdasco (25)
25th-seeded Fernando Verdasco should be able to get through his first two rounds, though Janko Tipsarevic is a good up-and-comer from Serbia.

Monaco (21)
Berlocq
Kendrick
Delic
Young Argentine, Juan Monaco may be ready to break on to the scene.  He should have no trouble with Berlocq, but either American, Robbie Kendrick or Amer Delic could give him trouble in the 2nd round.  Either way, I believe Monaco will make it through these two rounds.

Hernandez
Minar
Eschauer
Berdych (13)
Tomas Berdych is solid and should easily get past Eschauer and either Minar or Hernandez.

Blake (12)
Massu
Russell
Fognini
Nicholas Massu is about as tough a first-round matchup as can be expected for a seeded player, but Blake should have enough to get past him and then will actually have an easier 2nd round match, no matter who is the opponent.

Grosjean
Volandri
Haase
Ljubicic (17)
My first early-round upset prediction is Sebastien Grosjean, the tough, but unseeded Frenchman taking out 17-seed Ivan Ljubicic in the 2nd round.

Almagro (27)
Cilic
Vanek
Melzer
Another early round upset I predict will be 27th-seeded Nicholas Almagro going down.  The reason for this is that he will have a tough time with the young Croat, Marin Cilic in Round 1 and then Jurgen Melzer (a really good doubles player, with some singles success) will probably await in Round 2.  I like Melzer to advance to the 3rd Round.

Taik-Lee
Guccione
Economidis
Gonzalez (7)
The guy who gave Federer the best match at the US Open until the Finals, was Fernando Gonzalez.  The confidence of his play in that tournament (which was incredible) should carry him through at least the first two rounds of this tournament, though that 2nd Round match with either Taik-Lee or Guccione will not be a walk in the park.

ROUND 3:
Federer (1) over Verdasco (25)
Roger should have no problem beating Verdasco and moving on to the Round of 16.  Surprise, surprise

Monaco (21) over Berdych (13)
Like I said, I like this to be a breakout tournament for Juan Monaco, as he moves on to the Round of 16.  Unfortunately, the Great Federer awaits.

Blake (12) over Grosjean
This will not be an easy match, by any stretch, for the 12th-seeded American, but I think Grosjean’s recent injuries may affect his fitness.  I like Blake to advance, but it won’t be in straight sets.

Gonzalez (7) over Melzer
A bit of a break for Gonzalez, as I believe Melzer gives it his all in beating Almagro in Round 2.  Gonzalez should cruise into the Round of 16.

ROUND OF 16 QUALIFIERS FROM THIS SECTION:
Federer (1)
Monaco (21)
Blake (12)
Gonzalez (7)