Wimbledon 2008 – Men’s Picks – Round 1
Nick’s Picks will have complete coverage of Wimbledon 2008, and we are teaming with Tennis Week and The Independent Newspaper in London to provide in-depth analysis throughout the tournament! Also, be sure to listen for Nick on Radio Wimbledon each day at 4pm EST!
Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) vs. Robby Ginepri (USA)
Gonzalez has had a good year in 2008, posting a 22-6 record and claiming two titles. He reached the quarters at Roland Garros this year, and was a quarterfinalist at Wimbledon back in 2005. He can really play on any surface, and his results have shown that.
Ginepri, like his fellow Americans Fish, Querrey, and Isner, has a very tough first round match. He has lost in the first round three straight years, but back in 2004 he did reach the fourth round before falling to Sebastien Grosjean.
Match-Up:
Gonzalez is 4-0 against Ginepri, including a win over him at last year’s Wimbledon and a victory at the French Open earlier this year. Both players hit the ball very hard from both sides, and have big serves. Ginepri loves to show off those muscles, and he is going to need every single one of them to win this match. I think this is going to be close, but the difference to me is Gonzalez’s variety. He has more shots in his arsenal, and knows how to use them.
Nick’s Pick – Gonzalez in 4 sets
Tommy Haas (GER) vs. Guillermo Canas (ARG)
Haas is coming off of a shoulder injury that has really hampered him all season long. He has only played 14 matches this year, and hasn’t really been able to get any momentum going whatsoever. He just spent some time with Gil Reyes (former trainer for Andre Agassi), and there is no better person to work with when rehabbing then him.
After having a very good comeback year in 2007, Canas has fallen way down in the rankings to #46 in the world. He has had some success at Wimbledon in the past, as he reached the fourth round at Wimbledon back in 2001.
Match-Up:
Canas is 4-1 against Haas in his career, but the two have never played on grass and they haven’t met since 2004. Both players face questions coming into the tournament, and both are also capable of playing with anyone on the tour. Haas has a beautiful one-handed backhand, and a great biting slice. His serve isn’t what it used to be, and because of that he is going to need to get a high percentage of first serves in play. To beat Canas, Haas will have to be patient, use his deep and jab slices, and may have to come in some. This is a very compelling match, and I give a slight edge to Haas.
Nick’s Pick – Haas in 4 sets
James Blake (USA) vs. Christophe Rochus (BEL)
Blake just reached the semis at Halle last week before falling to Philipp Kohlschreiber in straight sets. Getting some grass court matches in before Wimbledon is a very good idea, and will hopefully give him some confidence. In five previous appearances he has never gotten past the third round.
Rochus qualified for the tournament, and comes in ranked #114 in the world. He has only played five matches on the ATP level this year, but was ranked in the top 40 just two short years ago. In his seven appearances at Wimbledon, he has only reached the second round once (2000).
Match-Up:
Blake is 2-0 against Rochus, but they haven’t played since 2005. Rochus and his brother Olivier remind me of cockroaches the way they move around the court! Standing at only 5’7″, he scurries around getting more balls back than you can imagine. Blake will have to take the action to him and use his great groundstrokes and excellent return of serve to create chances throughout the match. This is an important tournament for Blake to show his stuff, and I think he knows that as well.
Nick’s Pick – Blake in 3 sets
Kei Nishikori (JPN) vs. Marc Gicquel (FRA)
Nishikori has had one of the best debuts years of anyone in recent memory. He won a tournament in Delray Beach, and has shown time and time again that he is a very bright future. He recently lost to Nadal in three sets at Queen’s Club, and afterwards Nadal said that he thought Nishikori was top 10 material for sure. That is quite some praise for an 18-year old.
Gicquel is a veteran Frenchman, who checks in at #60 in the world. He has an 8-12 record on the year and did win a Challenger title back in February. In his only other Wimbledon appearance (2007), he lost in the first round to Jan Hernych.
Match-Up:
This will be the first meeting between Nishikori and Gicquel. Nishikori has trained at the Academy for numerous years now, and has really come a long way. His movement is unbelievable and is really the key to his success. He has a great forehand, a very solid backhand and his serve is getting better and better. Nishikori will need to force the action a bit in this match. Gicquel is solid from both sides, and has years of experience to fall back on. Nishikori has a slight abdominal injury, and if that affects his movement at all that could be a problem. From what we hear he is feeling good, and with that being said I give him the edge.
Nick’s Pick – Nishikori in 4 sets
Andy Murray (GBR) vs. Fabrice Santoro (FRA)
This is the match of the first round in my opinion. You will have all the British fans there cheering Murray on, and you will also have everyone watching to see what kinds of shots Santoro comes up with. Recently, Murray has been making a lot of noise in the newspaper about his unhappiness with the LTA and the Wimbledon seedings. He also has been a little hurt and has said that he is ready to win this title. Well, now is his chance to back up what he has been saying. He needs to accept the facts and find a solution.
I just got a chance to see Santoro play on grass at the Lagardere Paris Racing Club at the French Open. He was hitting with Gasquet, and there is no one like him. He is one of my favorites on the tour and watching him hit the ball is quite the spectacle. No one can put the amount of junk on the ball like he can and he is never easy to beat.
Match-up:
Murray is 1-0 against Santoro his career, with that win coming last year in Paris. This is going to be a different match then that because of the grass. Santoro’s balls will stay low and skid on the grass which will cause Murray to have to come in a little. I don’t think Murray can stand back 8-10 feet behind the baseline and expect to win this match. He needs to come in and try to catch the ball a little earlier. This is going to be one heck of a match, and I just wish I was there to witness it in person!
Nick’s Pick – Too close to call, who do you think is going to win?
[...] Nick Bollettieri wrote on his blog that he could not decide who will win this match. I feel there will be only one winner, this being Andy Murray. [...]
Match Prediction - Wimbledon - First Round 23/6 « The Tennis Centre said this on June 21, 2008 at 7:50 pm |
I see murray with big chances here, have talent, good moving, nice forehand, mentaly strong, winner temperament, fans will rise him on the wave.
best regards mister Nick.
What is it about top American coaches not getting on with Murray. Did you get the tip from Brad Gilbert Nick, you should have just tipped Santoro in straight sets. And which player in their right mind would consider playing Santoro from 10ft behind the baseline on grass?
I get along with Murray great, in fact he has trained here at the Academy in the past and I really like him. This is just going to be a tough match because Santoro is so crafty. I hope Murray will come out and play a great match for the home crowd, but you never know!
Oh ok i do apologise then
.
It’s just a match that on paper he really should win.
Lets hope so because the whole of britain will be gutted if he doesn’t.
NEVER A DOUBT…MURRAY!