Argh... Cronin predicts this match will be "a long, torturous death spiral" with Hewitt winning in five sets. And Nick says Hewitt will win in 4! Hope JC proves them wrong!!!
Matthew Cronin's Picks: Day 12
[.....]
No. 2 Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP) v. No. 6 Lleyton Hewitt (AUS)
These two Slam champs have played five times, with Hewitt winning all three of their matches on hard courts and Ferrero taking their two contests on clay. Their one determining match occurred at the end of last year in the Tennis Masters Cup, where Hewitt prevailed 6-4 in the fifth set. The then No. 1 proved to be a better big match player and more consistent in the clutch.
But that was JC Ferrero before he became a superstar and won the French Open. Now, the Spaniard is much more confortable with his game and better understands his capabilities. His serve is a true weapon, he returns with precision and aggression and he has weapons off both wings.
But this is Lleyton’s place in so many ways. The snarling, screaming Aussie could switch accents and be taken as a New York native for the way he bites, fights and loves the big moments under the Broadway lights. He played a standout match in chopping down Paradorn and has regained a lot of the oomph on his shots that he seemed to have lost earlier this summer.
If Ferrero can exploit Hewitt’s forehand and get a lot of free points off his first serve, he’ll be in good shape, but Hewitt knows how to drain a foe mentally and will make this match a long, torturous death spiral from the baseline and win in five sets.
Nick's Picks
Juan Carlos Ferrro (3) vs Lleyton Hewitt (6)
Lleyton gave a loud message -- he belongs in the final weekend. Ferrero was tested by the crafty veteran Todd Martin and had to fight 5 long sets to be a winner.
Nick's Pick: This will be a long battle of who wants to run and compete to the bitter end. Hewitt in 4 sets.
-----------------------------------
Armstrong - 11:00 AM Start
1. Men's Doubles - Qtr. Finals Bhupathi (IND)/Mirnyi (BLR)[1] vs. Llodra (FRA)/Santoro (FRA)[6]
followed by:
2. Men's Singles - Qtr. Finals Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP)[3] vs. Lleyton Hewitt (AUS)[6]
Matthew Cronin's Picks: Day 12
[.....]
No. 2 Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP) v. No. 6 Lleyton Hewitt (AUS)
These two Slam champs have played five times, with Hewitt winning all three of their matches on hard courts and Ferrero taking their two contests on clay. Their one determining match occurred at the end of last year in the Tennis Masters Cup, where Hewitt prevailed 6-4 in the fifth set. The then No. 1 proved to be a better big match player and more consistent in the clutch.
But that was JC Ferrero before he became a superstar and won the French Open. Now, the Spaniard is much more confortable with his game and better understands his capabilities. His serve is a true weapon, he returns with precision and aggression and he has weapons off both wings.
But this is Lleyton’s place in so many ways. The snarling, screaming Aussie could switch accents and be taken as a New York native for the way he bites, fights and loves the big moments under the Broadway lights. He played a standout match in chopping down Paradorn and has regained a lot of the oomph on his shots that he seemed to have lost earlier this summer.
If Ferrero can exploit Hewitt’s forehand and get a lot of free points off his first serve, he’ll be in good shape, but Hewitt knows how to drain a foe mentally and will make this match a long, torturous death spiral from the baseline and win in five sets.
Nick's Picks
Juan Carlos Ferrro (3) vs Lleyton Hewitt (6)
Lleyton gave a loud message -- he belongs in the final weekend. Ferrero was tested by the crafty veteran Todd Martin and had to fight 5 long sets to be a winner.
Nick's Pick: This will be a long battle of who wants to run and compete to the bitter end. Hewitt in 4 sets.
-----------------------------------
Armstrong - 11:00 AM Start
1. Men's Doubles - Qtr. Finals Bhupathi (IND)/Mirnyi (BLR)[1] vs. Llodra (FRA)/Santoro (FRA)[6]
followed by:
2. Men's Singles - Qtr. Finals Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP)[3] vs. Lleyton Hewitt (AUS)[6]
