The US Open draw is out and David finds himself opposite Nadal in the top quarter. This is the first grand slam in a long time that doesn't have Federer heading that quarter. This time, Federer would face #3 Djokovic should both reach the semis. Ferrer is placed in the second quarter at #4 rank.
Rising Argentinian star Juan Martin del Potro finds himself in Ferrer's quarter with a first round match against fellow Argentine Guillermo Canas.
Should David proceed to the second round he might face his Australian Open conqueror Juan Carlos Ferrero. On the third round he could face his recent conqueror Gael Monfils. David put lack of match practice - or “lack of steady pace” - down as the reason for that defeat so let's hope that the Olympics experience has at least helped with that and given him some confidence coming into this tournament.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
It was at last year's U.S. Open that David began to find his game again, barely losing to David Ferrer in 5 sets in a match where he actually had Match Points. Let' hope this year sees a return to form for him.
I oould take seeing him lose a match where he at least showed signs that his full game and health we're coming back. The key, as always, is his serving.
David recently routed Juan Carlos Ferraro at Indian Wells (4th Round) at a match I was actually able to see in March. The score was 6-2, 6-2, and it's the last GREAT match I've personally seen him play. He went on to lose a head scratcher to Mardy Fish in the Quarters by suddenly losing his ability to serve first serves. If David's game is on at all, I don't think Juan Carlos presents much of a threat to him. If his first serve percentage is below 50% and his second serves are around 85-90 mph (as was the case when Djokovic hammered him at Queens)then he will justifiably lose.
Again, if David is on his game, Monfils shouldn't be able to defeat him. Also, I could just as easily see him facing Robin Soderling in the 3rd Round. I'm pretty critical of David's draws, but he has NO excuses if he is in form with this draw. I was extremely pleased when I saw how things are set up for him. If he is close to "in form", I would look at him as the favorite for every match up to the Quarterfinal with Nadal. He doesn't have to go through scary players like Del Portro, Stepanek, Tsonga, Murray, Simon, etc. For once, he is not in Djokovic's Quarter. Of the top 3 players, he has probably played worst against Djokovic (even his win in the Masters last year was by an eyelash). I know Nadal is almost unbeatable lately, but until I see Nadal be competitive in a set with David, I will believe that David is the Nadal "kryptonite", especially on hard courts. Finding out James "Flake" is the biggest barrier on your way to the Quarters is a real gift. Blake seems to make a mental habit of self-imploding around the Fourth Round every year.
If Blake doesn't make it to the Sweet 16, who in that section of the draw is that tough? I don't see any threats, even to Flake in that section. If David doesn't take advantage of this draw, it will most likely be due to his not having recovered his form yet. He doesn't have a difficult path. And best yet, if he somehow continues his great form in the past against Nadal, who has NEVER done well at the U.S. Open, he's on the other side of the draw from the exhausting Djokovic/Federer side. He would most likely play Ferrer or Del Portro in the semis. If he has his health back, this is his time to make THE RUN!!
Oh, also, the Nalby personal kryptonite, Stanislaw Wawrinka, could conceivably come out of the weak Murray/Ferrer Quarter if Del Potro doesn't continue his hot run. That would be the worst possibility if David makes it to the semis. I'd rather see Murray or Ferrer come out of that one, or even Del Potro, who might be intimidated by playing his senior Argentine.
I saw the Monfils match. David wasn't playing in his best form and still gave Gael a pretty good match. I don't think Monfils is one of the big threats on hard courts. I have a feeling he is going to do very well, and I haven't had that feeling all year. I really like his draw. Look at all the players on the Djokovic/Federer side who he avoids:
-Roddick
-Gulbis
-Gonzalez
-Safin
-Tsonga
-Cilic
-Djokovic
-Davydenko
-Almagro (another personal demon)
-Gasquet
-Stepanek
-Federer
Thanks for that detailed look at the possibilities, Sean. I agree that this is one of the better draws for David that I've seen in a long time. Let's hope he can serve well and make the most of it.
Well, the draw surely could've been much worse for David. I must say that I was hoping for him to be drawn in Rafa's quarter - and not in Nole's, for a change. So that's good. There's also no personal nemesis too close at hand. And what looks like a very manageable first round.
Then probably Ferrero. It's true, David's victory over him at Indian Wells was one of his best matches this year (I also liked the way he destroyed Robredo at Monte Carlo). Apart from that, Ferrero has been injured recently and hasn't been able to play since Wimbledon, if I'm not mistaken. So I'm not too scared of him and I'm sure neither is David.
After that, possibly Monfils or Söderling. I wouldn't be surprised if it turned out to be the Swede. David has faced Söderling 5 times so far and only lost one of their matches.
Though I must confess that I'm not too happy about James Blake as a possible opponent in the fourth round. It's true, Blake lost at that stage, last year. But he reached the quarter final in '06 and '05 (losing to Federer & Agassi). And he also has the advantage of having won the only encounter with David so far, (Masters Cup '06; 6-4, 6-1). So I'd be much happier if it didn't turn out to be Blake. Perhaps, Mathieu can get in his way.
I won't go any further than this. But I hope that David will. And I'm sure he can - if he can find his serve.
Post a Comment