Becker Benjamin 1.70
Benjamin Becker qualified here with two good victories firstly over Chen then over Bastl where he fired down 6 aces and broke the veteran Swiss four times en route to the cosy qualification. Becker is a former Baylor All-American and the 2004 NCAA Champion so there is no doubting his pedigree in this part of the world and on this terrain, and the German will see himself a more fitting opponent for Nadal next up than his opponent Serra. The unflattering Frenchman is effective at best on the serve and possesses some modest but honest groundstrokes, though this is not really the surface that lends itself kindly to that strategy as his 1-4 record in 2008 would strongly suggest. Becker has a big serve and often wins more than 75% behind his first ball, and with Serra not really noted for his returning he is set for a hard day at the office and will simply be put under too much pressure to hold his own serve. Benny's confidence is back and he should prevail in 2 sets here.
Benjamin Becker qualified here with two good victories firstly over Chen then over Bastl where he fired down 6 aces and broke the veteran Swiss four times en route to the cosy qualification. Becker is a former Baylor All-American and the 2004 NCAA Champion so there is no doubting his pedigree in this part of the world and on this terrain, and the German will see himself a more fitting opponent for Nadal next up than his opponent Serra. The unflattering Frenchman is effective at best on the serve and possesses some modest but honest groundstrokes, though this is not really the surface that lends itself kindly to that strategy as his 1-4 record in 2008 would strongly suggest. Becker has a big serve and often wins more than 75% behind his first ball, and with Serra not really noted for his returning he is set for a hard day at the office and will simply be put under too much pressure to hold his own serve. Benny's confidence is back and he should prevail in 2 sets here.
Simon Gilles 1.95
After watching their match in Toronto in its entirety, I can't help think Kiefer was a very lucky man to enter into a final in which he never stood a blind man's hope in hell. The German took advantage of some tired legs on part of Simon who was on a 9 match winning streak, and did his best to lose it after being up a break for much of the 3rd set and being up 3-0 in the ensuing tiebreak. Kiefer completely buckled under pressure often taking pace off the racket head swing and trying to guide in his forehands which would evidently go long or hit the net. Simon was by far the more damaging player from the back of the court showing us good depth off his forehand side and some incredible down-the-line winners with his trademark backhand, and if he can be a little more assertive on the Kiefer serve this time around this match should be tilted in his favour. Neither player will be feeling completely fresh after a couple of weeks of hard scheduling, and although both are confident the Frenchman has the added bonus of an extra day or so rest and will be ultra keen on another good run in Cincy which could actually elevate him very close to the top 10 leading into the US Open. I like this guy's temporament and attitude and if the match gets tense look for Gilles to turn the tide with the steadier play.
After watching their match in Toronto in its entirety, I can't help think Kiefer was a very lucky man to enter into a final in which he never stood a blind man's hope in hell. The German took advantage of some tired legs on part of Simon who was on a 9 match winning streak, and did his best to lose it after being up a break for much of the 3rd set and being up 3-0 in the ensuing tiebreak. Kiefer completely buckled under pressure often taking pace off the racket head swing and trying to guide in his forehands which would evidently go long or hit the net. Simon was by far the more damaging player from the back of the court showing us good depth off his forehand side and some incredible down-the-line winners with his trademark backhand, and if he can be a little more assertive on the Kiefer serve this time around this match should be tilted in his favour. Neither player will be feeling completely fresh after a couple of weeks of hard scheduling, and although both are confident the Frenchman has the added bonus of an extra day or so rest and will be ultra keen on another good run in Cincy which could actually elevate him very close to the top 10 leading into the US Open. I like this guy's temporament and attitude and if the match gets tense look for Gilles to turn the tide with the steadier play.
Parlay 1.73
Mattek Bethanie
Kleybanova Alisa
Scariest thing for Rolle is that she was pummelled by the big Russian in her home country 2 years ago before Kleybanova had made any such mark at WTA level. Now, Alisa is a huge force to be reckoned with adopting her all-out-attack style and should have too much firepower for the underperforming Rolle who struggles on serve and will have terrible trouble dealing with the rockets delivered down by Kleybanova. Despite a slight fitness problem, the Russian should prevail against a qualifier who was lucky to prevail in 3 sets both qualifying matches against unknowns Tetreault and the woeful Stevenson. In the book this one.
Mattek Bethanie
Kleybanova Alisa
Scariest thing for Rolle is that she was pummelled by the big Russian in her home country 2 years ago before Kleybanova had made any such mark at WTA level. Now, Alisa is a huge force to be reckoned with adopting her all-out-attack style and should have too much firepower for the underperforming Rolle who struggles on serve and will have terrible trouble dealing with the rockets delivered down by Kleybanova. Despite a slight fitness problem, the Russian should prevail against a qualifier who was lucky to prevail in 3 sets both qualifying matches against unknowns Tetreault and the woeful Stevenson. In the book this one.
