Buenos Aires ATP Feb. 19
Top Players:
1. David Nalbandian
2. Nicolas Almagro
3. Tommy Robredo
4. Carlos Moya
5. Jose Acasuso
6. Alberto Montanes
7. Marcel Granollers
8. Eduardo Schwank
Underdog Pick: Nicolas Massu
My pick: Tommy Robredo
Semifinal results:
(3)Robredo d.(5) Acasuso 6-4, 7-6(3)
Monaco d. (1) Nalbandian 2-6 7-5 7-6(2)
Nalbandian just doesn’t impress me. For a guy who won 3 titles last year including a Masters Series… he just doesn’t do it for me. When you look at his draw you’ve got an up and comer who is completely unproven in Granollers, as well as Moya who is one of my favorite players but… old. I guess you also have to mention Montanes as a notably solid player but in the 4 previous meetings they have had Nalbandian has absolutely berated the aging Spaniard. How does he not at least make the finals? I’m not going to say that he is almost assured to beat Robredo… because Tommy is on fire and has a much more respectable 2-4 lifetime against David… but you’ve GOT to make the finals Nalbandian.
Suffice it to say I won’t be placing any bets on David any time soon.
On the other hand, Robredo is on fire. He won last week, and I’d be shocked if he doesn’t win this week… and I’ll be riding that horse into next week as my pick to win as well. Having seen him play countless times over the last 8-10 years I can say with confidence I have never seen him play better than he is right now.
If he keeps this play up, I strongly suggest that you take a serious look at him to go deep into the French… In fact I’ll be so bold as to say he might be a favorite against anyone in the world (on clay) aside from Nadal!
I have a lot of respect for Monaco as a clay court player and he is career 1-1 against Robredo… but Tommy won in ’08 in straights and I’m looking for the same result here.
For the Main Draw click Here
