Thursday's Play (Third round)
(1) Djokovic d. (14) Monaco, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3
—Dan Markowitz's Racquet Reaction
(2) Nadal d. Granollers, 6-1, 6-1
(3) Federer d. Ferrero, 6-2, 5-7, 6-1
—Ed McGrogan's Racquet Reaction
(16) Gasquet d. (4) Murray, 6-7 (1), 6-3, 6-2
—Peter Bodo's Racquet Reaction
(5) Tsonga d. (10) Del Potro, 6-4, 6-1
—Steve Tignor's Racquet Reaction
(6) Ferrer d. (11) Simon, 6-0, 7-6 (5)
(7) Berdych d. (12) Almagro, 7-6 (3), 6-3
Seppi d. Wawrinka, 6-7 (1), 7-6 (6), 7-6 (6)
Friday's Order of Play (Quarterfinals)
(2) Nadal v. (7) Berdych [Centrale]
—Not before 7:30 am EST.
—A stylistic clash featuring five-time Rome champion Nadal’s topspin against Madrid finalist Berdych’s flat strokes. Remember that a flat-ball hitter—Robin Soderling—handed Nadal his lone French Open loss, and the explosive Berdych can force Nadal to defend. But Nadal has beaten Berdych 11 times in 14 meetings (3-0 on clay courts), plays with more margin, and figures to sustain his supremacy.
The Pick: Nadal
(1) Djokovic v. (5) Tsonga [Centrale]
—Not before 10 am EST.
—A rematch of the 2008 Australian Open final, which Djokovic won in four sets. But Tsonga has won five of their last eight matches and looked sharp in a surprising sweep of Juan Martin del Potro today. This is their first encounter on clay, and Djokovic’s superior movement and exceptional backhand give the reigning champion the edge.
The Pick: Djokovic
(3) Federer v. Seppi [Centrale]
—Not before 3:00 pm EST.
(6) Ferrer v. (16) Gasquet [Supertennis Arena]
—6 am EST.
—The flashy Frenchman saved 15 of 17 points in rallying for a three-hour win over Andy Murray. The dogged Ferrer hasn’t let Gasquet off the hook in the past—he’s won six of their seven meetings, losing just two sets in that span. Ferrer enjoys the advantage in forehand exchanges and will be happy to grind out physical rallies all day long.
The Pick: Ferrer
TV Schedule
6:00 am - 12:00 pm: Rome (M), Quarterfinals (Tennis Channel, Live)
1:30 pm - 3:30 pm: Rome (W), Quarterfinals (Tennis Channel, Live)
3:30 pm - 5:30 pm: Rome (M), Quarterfinals (Tennis Channel, Live)
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm: Rome (W), Quarterfinals (Tennis Channel, Delay)
7:30 pm - 11:30 pm: Rome (M), Quarterfinals (Tennis Channel, Repeat)
11:30 pm - 3:30 am: Rome (W), Quarterfinals (Tennis Channel, Repeat)