The intrigue in this section is probably going to be delayed a week or so.\u00a0 There are two big guns at the top and bottom of the\u00a0section and then a whole lot of road bumps on the way to a possible Roddick-Nadal quarterfinal.<\/p>\n
EARLY ROUNDS:<\/u> Korolev Nieminen (24) Fish Moya (16) Capdeville Simon (28) Serra ROUND 3:<\/u> Robredo (11)<\/strong> over Nieminen (24) Moya (16)<\/strong> over Mathieu (23) Nadal (2)<\/strong> over Schuettler ROUND OF 16 QUALIFIERS FROM THIS SECTION:<\/u> The intrigue in this section is probably going to be delayed a week or so.\u00a0 There are two big guns at the top and bottom of the\u00a0section and then a whole lot of road bumps on the way to a … Continue reading
\nRoddick (6)
\n<\/strong>Diouhy
\nYoung
\nBerrer
\nWatch out for the 19-year old American Donald Young.\u00a0 The Atlanta native who is the first of probably a wave of inner-city African-Americans who watched the Williams sisters their whole lives and are ready to burst onto the American tennis scene.\u00a0 Young is incredibly gifted and ready for the big-time.\u00a0 Unfortunately, he draws Roddick in Round 2…oh, that and he’s only 19.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nGranollers-Pujol
\nKaranusic
\nKohlschreiber (29)
\nThere is a real stir <\/a>about Philipp Kohlschreiber, coming off his performance in Auckland.\u00a0 Because of this hype and the fact that I know absolutely nothing about any of the other three players in this portion, I expect Kohlschreiber to cruise through on to Round 3.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Dancevic
\nLevine
\nVassallo Arguello
\nJarkko Nieminen has been around long enough to know how to get through the players he is supposed to beat.\u00a0 Don’t expect an upset in either of his first two round matches.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nPashanski
\nZverev
\nRoberdo (11)
\n<\/strong>You always have to root for Mardy Fish because of his demeanor and how much he loves the game of tennis.\u00a0 However, Tommy Robredo is just a whole lot better at it and should move on.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Koubek
\nHorna
\nCalleri
\nHow much longer can Carlos Moya prolong this “rejuvenation.”\u00a0 The former world’s #1 has no made a comeback longer and better than most people would have expected.\u00a0 However, you have to think that he will eventually actually show his age and the miles on that body will take their toll.\u00a0 But, until I see it, I will continue to believe in Carlos Moya and his “Spanish Courage.”<\/em><\/p>\n
\nKlein
\nHanescu
\nMathieu (23)
\n<\/strong>The French\u00a0tennis revolution should continue on schedule, as I don’t see anyone capable of upsetting Paul-Henri Mathieu in either of the first two rounds.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nReynolds
\nClement
\nSchuettler
\n<\/strong>A couple more Frenchman will be on display in this grouping.\u00a0 The young gun, Giles Simon and the old veteran, Arnaud Clement.\u00a0 However, I like the German, Rainer Schuettler,\u00a0to crash the party, beat both of the Frenchman (young and old)\u00a0and\u00a0make it\u00a0out of this grouping.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nMayer
\nTroicki
\nNadal (2)
\n<\/strong>With my patented courage, I am picking Rafael Nadal not only to get out of Round 1, but also to advance through Round 2.\u00a0 The surprises never end, huh?<\/em><\/p>\n
\nRoddick (6)<\/strong> over Kohlschreiber (29)
\nAs\u00a0well as this Kohlschreiber may be playing and as vulnerable as Andy Roddick always is in Australia, I just think that Roddick has matured enough to avoid the Down Under Upset that seems to plague him every January.\u00a0 I like Roddick to advance to the Round of 16.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nI credited Nieminen’s experience with his avoiding the early round upset, and now I credit his “experience” for his rolling over against Tommy Robredo.\u00a0 The younger, faster, better Robredo should advance to the Round of 16.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nAgain, until I see some sign of age on Carlos Moya, I will continue to believe that he is on his way back to prominence.\u00a0 I look for Moya to move past Mathieu, in a hard fought 3rd Round match.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nAs much as I like Rainer Schuettler, Rafa should have no problems here.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nRoddick (6)
\nRobredo (11)
\nMoya (16)
\nNadal (2)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"