Fognini Thursday
Fognini +200 (Mathieu)
I'll be against Paul Henri Mathieu again. I paid a lot of attention to the Youzhny-PHM match on Wednesday as I was riding with the Russian in that one. Youzhny blew so many opportunities in that match and still took both sets to tie breaks. PHM has been very average on dirt in 2009 (6-6). Fognini had him on the ropes in Madrid in May when PHM retired down 3-0 in the 3rd set. Mathieu offered up 13 break opportunities to Youzhny in Round 1, but Youzhny failed to take advantage enough as PHM saved 9 of those breakers. Fognini outlasted Santoro going away 6-1 in the 3rd. He'll need to amp up his game, but he does have some decent scalps on dirt this year - Cilic, Berdych & he played Andy Murray very tough. Fognini took advantage of the break opps offered by Santoro, cashing in on 6 of 11. He only offered up 5 of his own, but will need to get his 1st serve in more frequently to avoid letting PHM pound his 2nd serve. Having played Mathieu tough earlier this year, he should have enough confidence to stick around. If his serve works, he could take this.
I'll be against Paul Henri Mathieu again. I paid a lot of attention to the Youzhny-PHM match on Wednesday as I was riding with the Russian in that one. Youzhny blew so many opportunities in that match and still took both sets to tie breaks. PHM has been very average on dirt in 2009 (6-6). Fognini had him on the ropes in Madrid in May when PHM retired down 3-0 in the 3rd set. Mathieu offered up 13 break opportunities to Youzhny in Round 1, but Youzhny failed to take advantage enough as PHM saved 9 of those breakers. Fognini outlasted Santoro going away 6-1 in the 3rd. He'll need to amp up his game, but he does have some decent scalps on dirt this year - Cilic, Berdych & he played Andy Murray very tough. Fognini took advantage of the break opps offered by Santoro, cashing in on 6 of 11. He only offered up 5 of his own, but will need to get his 1st serve in more frequently to avoid letting PHM pound his 2nd serve. Having played Mathieu tough earlier this year, he should have enough confidence to stick around. If his serve works, he could take this.
