Andy Roddick and James Blake have tough quarterfinal match-ups, while Federer and Djokovic are on course for a semifinal showdown.
James Blake and Andy Roddick are showing me something in Rome. I’ve accused both of being more “ball bashers” than tennis players, and that’s why they are "pa-dang-thetic" on clay. But this week, they are displaying patience, that’s right, patience on the red stuff!
James Blake coming back after dropping the first set on clay? A common occurrence that isn’t. Blake barely holds his own on clay and he played a Spaniard who has a better record on clay. Pulled it off though.
Roddick has played less matches on clay than any other surface in the last 12 months and no one would accuse him of being a clay court specialist (remember Roland Garros last year?). Yet he straight-sets an Italian who is much more familiar with, and has a better record on, clay.
Blake has a fair chance against Stanislas Wawrinka if he can stay patient. Blake has bad memories of Wawrinka, having lost a five-setter to him at Roland Garros in ’05 after being up two sets. My guess is Blake will be too tired to go the distance tomorrow, after playing a tough three-setter against Verdasco and a doubles match.
Roddick will have to play his best clay court tennis to beat Robredo, even though he beat Robredo the only time they’ve played on clay (2002). They’re both different players now and their fortunes have changed since those early days. I'm putting "The Kiss" on Robredo.
Favorite Federer should eradicate Radek Stepanek, having beaten him five times running, and Djokovic should be too steady for Nico Almagro. But that could be wishful thinking since that would set up the Federer-Djokovic match-up that everyone would love to see, after Djokovic’s swoon against Federer in Monte Carlo.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s racquet roundup from Rome. Game, set, match…
