Matthew Cronin's Picks: Day 8
No. 3 Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP) v. Todd Martin (USA)
Can retro-Martin pull off a another miracle during a US Open night match? He did back in 2000 when he took out former French Open champ Carlos Moya, and now he’ll attempt an even more difficult feat against reigning Roland Garros victor Juan Carlos Ferrero, who’s a on a heck of run in this tournament and is dying to prove that a Spaniard can win in NY.
Ferrero played only two hardcourt tournaments coming in here, which some would say is poor preparation for America’s Grand Slam. But he tore apart Juan Ignacio Chela in the last round and when he steps inside the court, has huge weapons on this surface. Ferrero has an excellent first serve, amazingly consistent and penetrating groundstrokes and one of the quickest returns in the business.
But if Martin can slow this match down, play at his pace, serve very well and keep his volleys deep, he has a real chance here. He needs to go for any short ball, keep the points short and try to use the crowd to his advantage. Ferrero has never won a big night match here so even if he does have Grand Slam credentials and says that he has the guts and head to win this tournament, he has to prove it first. Martin will give Ferrero a good run for his money, but Ferrero will prevail in four.
No. 3 Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP) v. Todd Martin (USA)
Can retro-Martin pull off a another miracle during a US Open night match? He did back in 2000 when he took out former French Open champ Carlos Moya, and now he’ll attempt an even more difficult feat against reigning Roland Garros victor Juan Carlos Ferrero, who’s a on a heck of run in this tournament and is dying to prove that a Spaniard can win in NY.
Ferrero played only two hardcourt tournaments coming in here, which some would say is poor preparation for America’s Grand Slam. But he tore apart Juan Ignacio Chela in the last round and when he steps inside the court, has huge weapons on this surface. Ferrero has an excellent first serve, amazingly consistent and penetrating groundstrokes and one of the quickest returns in the business.
But if Martin can slow this match down, play at his pace, serve very well and keep his volleys deep, he has a real chance here. He needs to go for any short ball, keep the points short and try to use the crowd to his advantage. Ferrero has never won a big night match here so even if he does have Grand Slam credentials and says that he has the guts and head to win this tournament, he has to prove it first. Martin will give Ferrero a good run for his money, but Ferrero will prevail in four.
