Match Tips Pacific Life Open 19/03

Round of 16 

Jo Wilfried Tsonga FRA (17) - Rafael Nadal ESP (2)

I have seen many interpretations of how this match might go. Some say Tsonga will continue where he left off at the Australian Open and dominate once again and some say  Nadal will get his revenge. I don’t think Tsonga will dominate here but I think he has the edge. Having watched Nadal struggle in virtually every service game against Roddick in Dubai, I think Tsonga too will be able to put a high amount of pressure on the Spaniard’s serve with his aggressive style of play. Tsonga’s clever net game will also favour him as he will put pressure on Nadal to come up with brilliant shots time after time. Nadal however can never be written off as he is defending champion here and would lose a lot of ranking points if he was to go out at this stage. An argument against Nadal could be that he hasn’t had much of a test yet this tournament whereas Tsonga played very well in his win against countryman Paul Henri Matheiu and should be nicely tuned up.

 Predicted Winner :: Tsonga

 Andy Murray GBR (11) – Tommy Haas GER (36)

 A repeat of last year  in this tournament when Murray prevailed in three sets. This could be close again although you have to favour the young Scot here because Haas although playing well again after injury, simply cannot be at a standard to beat the ever improving Murray. The match could contain a few twists and turns as Murray seems to have adopted Tim Henman’s unpredictibility during matches but the sheer class and shot making ability of the British number one should take him through this match possibly in three sets.

 Predicted winner :: Murray

 Roger Federer SWI (1) – Ivan Ljubicic CRO (23)

I heard a commentator say recently that the Ljubicic ’star’ had faded away and a loss of form at the back end of last year has him currently at 23 in the rankings. He runs into Federer here on red hot form and I don’t give him much of a chance. Federer was clinical against Mahut and should breeze through into the next round.

Predicted winner :: Federer

 Richard Gasquet FRA (8) – James Blake USA (9)

A very interesting match here which could go either way. Gasquet’s technical skill takes on Blake’s power play. Gasquet leads the head to head 2-0 but throw the form book out of the window here as Blake relishes playing in front of his home crowd. The entertainer responds well to pressure and often comes with some fantastic shots when up against it. Gasquet has one of the best backhands in the game and we are sure to see some stylish winners. Gasquet can have mental lapses during matches (remember his 0-6 set against Murray in Paris last October) but when he switches back on his masterful play is resumed. I think this match will depend on who serves better and Blake will surely up the 45% first serve average and could win in a closely contested match.

 Predicted winner :: Blake

 Novak Djokovic SRB (3) – Guillermo Canas ARG (16)

Canas has had two impressive wins here against Bjorkman and Monaco and is on good form. However I think this match will be one step too far for him. Djokovic is a near complete player with a big serve combined with pacey and solid groundstrokes. Canas is also competent off both the forehand and backhand wing but he could struggle on serve due to the quality of Djokovic’s returning. Djokovic should advance here in straight sets.

Predicted winner :: Djokovic

 Lleyton Hewitt AUS (24) – Mardy Fish USA (98)

Mardy Fish easily beat Davydenko who failed to turn up in the previous round. Hewitt has strung together a few wins here and is certainly the player to beat in this match after dismissing Youhzny with relative ease. He should be able to deal with the big Fish serve with his returning capabilities and the former winner of this tournament looks hungry to advance into the latter rounds and could be a dark horse to reach the semi’s. Hewitt consistently strong hitting off both wings should draw errors from Fish who plays a very attacking game. 

 Predicted winner :: Hewitt