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Tuesday 26 June 2012

Wimbledon Matches to Watch - Day 3

Let us have a look at few matches of the day 3.

1 - Djokovic (1) vs Harrison

DescriptionDjokovic   Harrison        
YTD Match Record    36-6    17-15
H2H       1        0
Wimbledon Best Result   Winner  2nd round
Year of best Result    2011    2011
Djokovic is the defending champion and is coming off a straight sets win over a tricky first round opponent, Ferrero. Harrison is coming off a 4 set win over the 2010 Wimbledon quarter-finalist Lu. The pair has met only once, with Djokovic easily handling the American in Cincinnati last year. Harrison is playing in just his 2nd Wimbledon. Harrison is playing at a carrerhigh ranking of 48, but so is Djokovic, at a career high ranking of 1. Djokovic had a slow start in his opener. Harrison has lost his all 4 meetings against the top 10 this year, and is win-less  against the top 10 in his 13 career meetings against them. This is Djokovic's 8th appearance here, and he has lost in the 2nd round only once. It was back in 2008, but he has transformed a lot since then. Will it be 14th time lucky for Harrison or will Djokovic march on to defend his title?

Pick: Djokovic in 4 sets

2- Federer (3) vs Fognini

Description    Federer    Fognini
YTD Match Record      39-6     11-12
H2H        1         0
Wimbledon Best Result        Winner   3rd round       
Year of best Result2003-07 & 2009     2010
The pair's only meeting came back in 2007 in the 3rd round of Montreal Canada. Federer straight setted Fognini then, but since then they have not faced each other. Federer in his previous 9 visits here has  not lost before the QF stage. Fognini has just one win over a top 10 player in his career in the 16 encounters against the elite. Will he be able to record his second win? Federer looked great in his first round win over Ramos. It will be an uphill battle for Fognini.

Pick: Federer in 3 sets

3- Simon (13) vs Malisse

Description    Simon  Malisse   
YTD Match Record    29-15   13-15
H2H       2    0
Wimbledon Best Result     4th round       SF
Year of best Result     2006   2002
Grass brings the best out of Malisse, whose best grand slam performance to date came on this very surface when he made it to the semi-finals. Simon too has been steady on this surface, though he has never made it out of the 4th round in his previous 6 visits here. The pair's last meeting came in 2010 in the QF of Metz, won by Simon in 3 sets. Malisse is coming off a straight sets win over Australian Matosevic, Simon however got a win when Mathieu retired while trailing 36 45. Malisse is one of the talented under-achievers, who could not realise his potential to the fullest. Simon, being the higher ranked will be no doubt the favourite, but Malisse will have a chance for an upset. I have to give an edge to Malisee given his love for grass, but given his up and down form during the matches, it will be tough for him to pull it off.

Pick: Simon in 5 sets

4- Mahut vs Falla

Description     Mahut       Falla
YTD Match Record     11-10       7-14
H2H         2         0
Wimbledon Best Result       3rd round          2nd round
Year of best Result       20062004, 2006, 2007
Both Mahut and Falla had lost the opener at Wimbledon in their previous 4 visits here. While Mahut is best known for his match against Isner in the first round of Wimbledon 2010, Falla is best known for stretching Federer, 6 time Wimbledon champion, to 5 sets in the opener Mahut had the chance of meeting the marathon man Isner for the 3rd straight year (the last 2 years the played the opener here). However, Falla had other plans, he outplayed Isner in the first round to book a spot in the second round to match his best performance at Wimbledon. THe pair has met twice in the main draw matches and twice at the qualifiers and challenger level. It is Mahut who has won the pair's both meetings in the main draw matches, but it is Falla who has got the better of Mahut in the qualifiers and challenger level matches. Falla must be high on confidence after his comeback win over highest ranked American in the first round. He saved a match point en-route his upset over Isner. Mahut, however, must be as confident while he walks on court. It will all come down to who can manage his nerves. Falla has a chance to make it to the 3rd round of Wimbledon for the first time in his career, while Mahut will try his best to match his best showing here of 2006. Let us hope for a great battle.

Pick: Mahut in 5 sets

Who do you think will be the one leaving the court with a smiling note?

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