He’s playing against Yen-Hsun Lu, a man who despises clay so much that in an 11 year playing career he has played a total of 14 matches on the surface, compiling a 2-12 record. His first win on clay was in 2001 against the unranked Aqeel Khan, in a Davis Cup tie against Pakistan. He only had to wait a mere decade for his next clay victory, rather shockingly against Fernando Verdasco in Madrid last year. However, given that the clay courts in Madrid (even prior to being blue) play more like hardcourts than any other clay court in the world, this victory loses some of its shock factor as Lu can be a competent hardcourter.
Chardy has been solid on the challenger circuit on clay this year, reaching a final a couple of weeks ago, and reaching an main tour SF back in February. Also, his 5 career losses in the Roland Garros main draw have been to Gilles Simon, Lleyton Hewitt, Tommy Haas, Nicolas Almagro and David Ferrer. It’s unlikely that Lu will be placing himself among those names today.
I really don’t see anything other than a Chardy victory, and a 3-0 win at that too.
Chardy has been solid on the challenger circuit on clay this year, reaching a final a couple of weeks ago, and reaching an main tour SF back in February. Also, his 5 career losses in the Roland Garros main draw have been to Gilles Simon, Lleyton Hewitt, Tommy Haas, Nicolas Almagro and David Ferrer. It’s unlikely that Lu will be placing himself among those names today.
I really don’t see anything other than a Chardy victory, and a 3-0 win at that too.
