And then there were 18…

I suppose the article should be called and then there were 16, but due to the chaotic weather, the US Open has been running behind schedule.

However, yesterdays action saw some brilliant tennis with the emotional, sad abrupt end to Andre Agassi’s career at the hands of a German, a German called Becker, B. Becker, Benjamin Becker played very well to end an unbelievable 21 year tennis career.

It also saw Marat Safin oust the 4th seeded David Nalbandian and Andy Murray come from behind to beat Fernando Gonzalez.


I want to look forward to the remainder of the 3rd round matches and the 4th round clashes.

3rd round action

26-Olivier Rochus vs Marat Safin, the diminutive Belgian might be seeded and might enjoy a much higher ranking than Safin, but Marat will start as favourite here, Rochus is consistent player, never does too badly, however, also hardly ever challenges the big players.

Safin enjoys a 5-3 head-to-head lead against Rochus, however the Belgian no.1 has won the last two games.

I believe that if Rochus is able to make Safin run and wear him down, and take him to a fifth set, he will win, but I think it will be Safin in 4 sets.

14-Tommy Haas vs 18-Robbie Ginepri. The German has 3-1 head to head lead over the brash American. They met in the 3rd round of the US Open last year and Haas won in 5 sets. I see the same happening again today, the American crowd will be able to lift Ginepri’s game, but Haas should prevail in 5.

The 4th Round action

9- Andy Roddick vs Benjamin Becker

The giant-killing run of Benjamin Becker will end here, he might have beaten Sebastian Grosjean and Andre Agassi, but I think that Roddick will have too much firepower and stamina for him.

Roddick had it hard yesterday, but showed his mettle by coming from a break down in the 5 to easily take the last set against Fernando Verdasco.

Roddick in 3.

15-Lleyton Hewitt vs 25- Richard Gasquet

Have I begun to dread my prediction that Gasquet would shock all and make the US Open finals? Lleyton Hewitt absolutely demolished the Serbian sensation Novak Djokovic yesterday, the boy wonder was made to look like an amateur by the former US Open Champion.

Logic tells me, that Lleyton will win it in 3 or maybe Gasquet will be able to eke a set out of him, however, I am going to be stubborn and maybe foolish, but predict that Gasquet will prevail in 5 sets.

In Wimbledon Hewitt devoured Olivier Rochus in the 3rd round but then crashed out to Marcos Baghdatis in straight sets. Maybe we will see the same happen again.

6-Tommy Robredo vs Mikhail Youhzny

Robredo has won both of their previous encounters, whilst the Muscovite might be pumped up after his surprise win over David Ferrer yesterday, I see Robredo winning in 4 sets.
2-Raphael Nadal vs Jiri Novak

It is great to see Jiri Novak in the 4th round of a Grand Slam event, riddled by injury, the Czech veteran has played great tennis thus far to get to the 4th round.

His opponent, Nadal, has not, he struggled against Wesley Moodie last night, and has been unflattering in his previous matches as well.

I think Novak will be able to a set, but I see Nadal wearing him down and closing it out in 4.
Tomorrow I will comment on the rest of the 4th round action

To summarise

3rd Round action

Safin will win in 5
Haas will beat Ginperi in 5

4th Round action

Roddick in 3 over Becker
Gasquet in 5 over Hewitt
Robredo in 4 over Youhzny
Nadal to beat a gallant Novak in 4