Day 3: French Open Match of the Day - Ljubicic vs. Devvarman

Ivan Ljubicic (CRO) v. Somdev Devvarman (IND)

An interesting match that will be a great for those watching on Court 3.  An old veteran of the tour in Ljubicic against a rising star in Devvarman.

A few years ago, Devvarman was playing college tennis in the United States.  The Croat has been a top-20 player for many years, but has had mixed results the past couple years.

I like Devvarman's chances, even though clay may not be his best surface.

Look for the Indian to win in 4 tough sets.

Bonus Pick:  The Nadal/Isner match could be closer than some expect, especially if the courts and balls keep playing quickly.

Day 6: Australian Open Match of the Day

The Australian Open is loaded with potentially great matches today.

How about Sam Stosur against Petra Kvitova, Flavia Pennetta vs. Shahar Peer, Jurgen Metzer and Marcos Baghdatis, or even Rafael Nadal and Aussie upstart Bernard Tomic?

In my estimation, the best match of the day should be out on Margaret Court, a match between John Isner and Marin Cilic.  Seems strange, but the two have never played before.  What that means today is there will be tons of big serves and huge forehands exchanged.

Who ever can break serve more than once should win and the over/under on the number of tie-breakers is 3.  On paper and in the seeding, Cilic is the slight favorite.  I happen to like the grit and determination of Isner.  He got by Stepanek last round, now he takes out Cilic in 4.

Day 4: Australian Open Match of the Day

Women's Singles - 2nd Round
Bojana Jovanovski(SRB)	vs.	Vera Zvonareva(RUS)[2]



A nice 2nd round match between one of the upstarts on the women's tour and a player who has worked her way up to #2 in the world.

This should be a classic battle and a close one.  Jovanovski has started off the year with a semi-final showing at the warm up event in Sydney.

Zvonareva appears confident and in a good frame of mind.  She feels she can win the tournament. 

Look for Vera to eek out a close 3-setter.

*Upset alert - This match could also qualify for the match of the day.  John Isner is taking on Radek Stepanek  Isner will have to serve huge to win, but would it be a huge upset of Stepanek were to win?  Not sure, but Isner is seeded and Stepanek isn't.  Stepanek could win in 4 sets.

RickLimpert.info Picture of the Week: Mademoiselle Mahut

Leave it to a French guy to wear a dress...

It seems like the 11 hour marathon match at Wimbledon against John Isner did something to Nicholas Mahut's brain. 

Well maybe not, but Mahut is becoming known as one of the best sports in tennis and he's on his way to becoming the "Clown Prince of Tennis."  I guess you could say the Meadowlark Lemon of tennis.

Here is is this past week playing an exhibition mixed doubles match at the Hopman Cup in Australia against Isner and Bethanie Mattek-Sands.  Mahut borrowed one of his partner's outfits to play a set of mixed.

I love the Mattek-Sands socks and the pink headband is the topper.

Unless he gets a last-minute wildcard, he will have to go through qualifying to play in the Australian Open.  Good luck to Mahut.

Here's Isner and Mahut back at Wimbledon, with Mahut in shorts and not a dress.

Day 3: U.S. Open Match to Watch

Men's Singles - 1st Round
Frederico Gil(POR)	vs.	John Isner(USA)[18]

A match on Armstrong Stadium.  Inser finally takes the court for his first round encounter with Gil.  Gil doesn't really have anything to hurt Isner, and that is good for John as he is coming off a bad ankle injury in Cincinnati. 

It's a miracle Isner can even take to the court.  Give a lot of credit to John and his training staff.  I hope his ankle holds out,  if it does, he wins in 3.