Stella Artois Championships Thursday Preview
Back to list >Rafael Nadal v Fernando Verdasco
PLAYED: Nadal leads 4-0
Rafael Nadal has taken his first step at the Stella Artois and likes what he experienced against a genuine grass court player in the American Mardy Fish. Now Nadal, the world No 2 and top seed here, comes up against familiar opposition in his fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco as he bids to take his left handed challenge on for another round. Nadal respects the fact that Verdasco came through the qualifying rounds and has since won two matches in the main draw. "He has good experience now, a lot of matches, more than me," assesses Nadal. There was much evidence yesterday when Nadal opened up in his first match that he is eager to make as much progress as he can in this tournament and use that as a foundation for Wimbledon where expectations will be so high.
Verdict: Nadal to stay in command
Tim Henman v Nicolas Mahut
PLAYED: never previously met
Tim Henman is in a familiar position as the last British survivor in the Stella Artois field and as he examined his progress into the third round as one of the last sixteen players it was more than clear that he is satisfied with his form so far. "In the two matches I've played I felt very, very comfortable," he said. If Henman had been expecting to play the seventh seeded Czech Radek Stepanek in his next match then he may have been surprised that the Frenchman Nicolas Mahut, ranked 78th in the world, is now the opposition. Mahut comes from the Loire Valley and has been a professional player for six years. Henman's lengthy experience of grass court competition should stand him in good stead as he bids to reach the quarter finals.
Verdict: Henman to move on
Gael Monfils v Ivan Ljubicic
PLAYED: Ljubicic leads 2-0
This continues a rivalry which had its most recent meeting in Indian Wells in the spring and gives Monfils, the Paris born former world No 1 junior, a chance to prove his skills against the second seed. Monfils has had success in differing events in this country in recent years and made an impact at his first Wimbledon last year when it took someone as skilled as Mario Ancic to end his bid in the third round. Ancic's fellow Croat Ljubicic won his first match in the Stella Artois by defeating the Romanian Razvan Sabau and now faces the task of sustaining his challenge as the world No 4 in an increasingly demanding field. He was a semi-finalist in the French Open last week and, like Nadal, may have traces of clay court tennis to shake out of his system.
Verdict: Ljubicic to stay focused
Paradorn Srichaphan v Andy Roddick
PLAYED: Roddick leads 6-1
This is one of the more absorbing grass court contests of the day because both players more than know their way around on the surface and the faster the conditions the more it will suit them. Roddick has a clear advantage in previous matches over Thailand's leading player and two of his six victories were on grass, the first at Wimbledon in 2003 over four sets and the other here in The Stella Artois when Roddick won 6-3 6-3 in the quarter final round.Roddick has won the title here for three years in a row but will know that counts for little when the pressure mounts in a new championship. He had to work harder and longer than he might have anticipated in his opening match but there was plenty of evidence that he intends to stay in the race for the title.
Verdict: Roddick to face more pressure but will move forward
Mark Philippoussis v Fernando Gonzalez
PLAYED: Philippoussis leads 2-0
Whatever else happens on the world circuit at this time of the year Mark Philippoussis is determined to play some part in it and here,once again,is the man who was Stella Artois champion in 1997 trying to re-shape the odds. Philippoussis has had to deal with a succession of injuries over the years and 2006, when he is in his 30th year, has offred him no relief from the same pattern. Now, ranked 176th in the world the 6ft 5in Australian has had a wild card entry into this tournament and goes for a place in the last eight against Fernando Gonzalez of Chile who he has beaten twice before, once at Wimbledon two years ago. Sixth seeded Gonzalez is only one place outside the world top ten and made a significant mark on grass last year when he reached the quarter finals at Wimbledon, the first Chilean to do so for 20 years. He turns 26 next month.
Verdict: Gonzalez to halt the run of the 2003 Wimbledon runner-up
Bob and Mike Bryan v Sebastien Grosjean and Andy Murray
The Bryans are a definite force in doubles with their ranking as the No 1 team in two of the past three years and are going for a third successive triumph in The Stella Artois. The American twins open up in the second round against the European pairing of Grosjean of France and Murray of Great Britain, who have already won their first match. The Bryans move in from the French Open where they were beaten in the final by Jonas Bjorkman and Max Mirnyi and will be all the more determined to start well here.
Verdict: The Bryans in command