Preview and Picks for matches on Friday, April 30, 2010

This is the quarterfinal round in Rome

(unseeded) Ernests Gulbis  vs.  (unseeded) Feliciano Lopez

Gulbis or Lopez?  Gulbis or Lopez?  This is even. These are basically two guys who have played below their abilities the last year and a half.  Gulbis is finally tapping into his potential this tournament, but Lopez is rested after getting a walkover win over Ljubicic.  Lopez, a Spaniard who plays well on clay.  Gulbis has been getting publicity with his win over Federer a couple days ago, and seems to be everyones darkhorse for not only this tournament but upcoming ones as well.  I'm not sold on him yet.  Lopez has a few tricks up his sleeve and will win this match.

Pick - Lopez

RESULT:  Ernests Gulbis 7-6, 6-1.

(#3 seed) Rafael Nadal  vs.  (unseeded) Stanislas Wawrinka

Wawrinka is a good player, but not good enough to stop the buzzsaw that is Nadal on clay.  Nadal cruises to a routine straight set win.

Pick - Nadal

RESULT:  Rafael Nadal 6-4, 6-1.

(#7 seed) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga  vs.  (#13 seed) David Ferrer

Tsonga has been consistently doing well on the clay this year.  He's staying healthy for long periods of time for the first time in his career.  On any other surface I'd have to favor Tsonga in this matchup, but Ferrer's form is on right now.  Like I said before he is probably the 2nd best player on clay right now behind Nadal.  Ferrer to pull a mild upset in 3 sets.

Pick - Ferrer

RESULT:  David Ferrer 6-4, 6-1.

(#6 seed) Fernando Verdasco  vs.  (#2 seed) Novak Djokovic

Verdasco has been playing a ton of tennis the last month.  He hasn't really had a break.  He should be starting to wear down from playing so many matches on the greuling clay, where every point is a grind.  Djokovic is rested and seems to be figuring out the flaws in his game that had him struggling a few weeks ago.  Djokovic will outlast a tired Verdasco in this one.

Pick - Djokovic

RESULT:  Fernando Verdasco 7-6, 3-6, 6-4.

The WTA Premier Event in Stuttgart, Germany is also into the quarterfinal round

(unseeded) Lucie Safarova  vs.  (unseeded) Anna Lapushchenkova

You can thank these ladies for not having a Caroline Wozniacki-Victoria Azarenka quarterfinal.  These two unheralded players took out the heavy favorites in the last round.  I'm still not that familiar with Lapushchenkova's game.  She is a qualifier who is having a dream tournament this week.  Safarova has more experience, and just as much hunger to win.  Safarova will be too much for Lapushchenkova.  Plus I'm sick of typing "Lapushchenkova"

Pick - Safarova

RESULT:  Anna Lapushchenkova 7-6, 1-6, 6-1.

(unseeded) Na Li  vs.  (#7 seeded) Samantha Stosur

The Chinese normally don't do very well on the clay, and add that up with Sam Stosur who has been playing excellent tennis on the dirt surface and you equal a long day for Na Li.  Stosur should win this one without much trouble.

Pick - Stosur

RESULT:  Samantha Stosur 6-3, 6-3.

(unseeded) Justine Henin  vs.  (#4 seed) Jelena Jankovic

Without a doubt this is the match of the day in Stuttgart.  Henin seems motivated and Jankovic is well Jankovic.  Not the most mentally tough player around.  Henin will keep the defensive Serb on the run and will have too many weapons for Jankovic to win. 

Pick - Henin

RESULT:  Justine Henin  3-6, 7-6, 6-3.

(unseeded) Shahar Peer  vs.  (#2 seed) Dinara Safina

In her first match back from injury Safina fell behind early and was able to claw out of a early deficit to win a tough 3-setter against Agnes Szavay.  I still question her match rust and both her physical and mental toughness.  Szavay gave Safina a tough match, and Peer is a better player at this moment than Szavay.  Peer is rested after having the day off on Thursday.  I'm not sold on Dinara being back, so I have to go with Peer on this one.

Pick - Peer

RESULT:  Shahar Peer 6-3, 6-2.

These are the semifinal matchups for the WTA tournament in Fes, Morocco

(unseeded) Alize Cornet  vs.  (#7 seed) Iveta Benesova

Cornet has played like dogshit the last year, and this tournament is the first time she won 3 matches in a row in over a year.  Benesova is the higher seeded player and has been playing a little more consistent.  Maybe Cornet is reviving her game that took her to #11 in the world, and is ready for a good run....yeah, I doubt it.

Pick - Benesova

RESULT:  Iveta Benesova 6-3, 4-6, 7-5.

(unseeded) Renata Voracova  vs.  (unseeded) Simona Halep

This is Halep's first ever WTA semifinal, so I'm sure the nerves will be there when she takes the court over Voracova who is having a nice tournament so far.  She has taken out both the #4 and #5 seeds this week, and will probably ride that wave of momentum to the final.

Pick - Voracova

RESULT:  Simona Halep 7-5, 6-4.