There was plenty to admire today, but it was all, let's say, a little uneventful.
Novak DJOKOVIC (SRB) d. Juan Martin DEL POTRO (ARG) 63 64
Really, really solid from Novak, who continues to persuade me that all four of those cylinders really are firing again. A little unimpressed with young Juan, and the way he let it all slip away. He's been criticised for the way he slowly lumbers around between points. I find the body language (particularly when things aren't going to plan) more troubling. You just beat Rafa a couple of weeks back. You're the (justified) #5 player in the world: On the cusp of big things, by any definition. Right about now is where you stop acting like you're still playing juniors.
Roger FEDERER (SUI) d. Mischa ZVEREV (GER) 76(3) 62
You know what's good? Roger's gone all old school on us. By that I mean, he appears to be playing the efficient, as-good-as-it-need-be early round tennis of years gone by. Instead of being 'tested' by encounters with guys in the seventy-somethings. And assuming of course, he cranks it up in time, also like years gone by.
You know what's bad? If he continues to play at this level I can't see him getting past Djoko, who's playing with the kind of intensity we saw so much of early on last year.
Rafael NADAL (ESP) d. Fernando VERDASCO (ESP) 63 63
This one disappointed. Nando was spraying more balls out than he normally does, and Rafa wasn't at his best. But he didn't really need to be, as Nando's injured leg extinguished any remaining chance he might have had to remain competitive.
Fernando GONZALEZ (CHI) d. Juan MONACO (ARG) 26 63 64
It looks like Gonzales has lost some of that brilliance he dazzled us with in Barcelona last week. But I'm glad he came through purely for what he's potentially capable of against Rafa. Very much doubt anything Monaco could have brought would be treated with much respect by Rafa.
Over in Stuttgart Jelena Jankovic lost a competitive three setter to Flavia Pennetta, which means that Safina, Kuznetsova, Dementieva and Pennetta are our last four.
In case you missed it that's three of the top four seeds. I know that's not as good as three of the top four in the world, like you have over in Rome, but that's got to be a sign of good health in these slightly leaner WTA times.
Dinara over Flavia in 3. Elena over Sevta also in 3.
For the final Elena over Dinara in 3 (just think those three setters may have made Elena more match savvy).
Pains me to say this, as I think tennis could do with Roger actually behaving like he's comfortable up in the top four, but Djoko over Roger in 3. Rafa over Gonzo in two.
For the final, Rafa over Djoko in two (don't think Rafa will run the risk of allowing Djoko another three setter).
There, I've stuck my neck out now.
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