Small Write Up for Todays Mid Morning Plays:
Lorenzi is an average ATP to lower level pro, but he still holds a distinct advantage over his opponent today. Lorenzi plays on the ATP stage the entire year & plays against some very good players. His record is 10-12 this year & he will be looking to add another win into that column bec of the draw he got this week! Desein is a player outside the top 200 & just played a Future event, where he lost in the quarters. He did win a future tment the week before that, but lost FIRST round in a Challanger the week prior that. So this a match that Lorenzi has GOT to win IMO & move into the next round this week getting more ATP points, prize money & a win for the record (bec wins are hard to come by on the ATP tour). He should be motivated to play very hard and he should be able to control the points I would think. Hoping for a good solid effort today by Paolo.
Hanescu has been playing solid tennis on the clay, his fav surface, and should have a good amount of confidence today when facing Machado. Hanescu can get the serve working, he will be really tough to beat for sure. I am hoping he hits his spots well today & can break Machado in each set to pull ahead. Could be a very close match, I am expecting Machado to not be at his best. He has dropped to #330 in the rankings & Hanescu has never lost to him before (2-0), never dropping a set. Again, this is in Portugal, so I do expect Machado to fight hard and it could be close close, but Victor should pull this one out and move on this week.
Robredo has been playing really well on the clay. He also knows he won't make a run deep in the French Open, so he is going to try to get as far as he can in all these lead up tments. He has proven he is moving well & hitting his shots and playing great defense. HE will pose a tough challange for Gimeno Traver this morning & he should be able to defend himself and then throw that little offense in to pull this match out. I can see one really tight set here & maybe one not so tight. I just feel that Robredo continues some of his solid tennis and gets through this match.