It was a very productive day for the picks yesterday as the tournament moves on to the Third Round. With Victoria Azarenka, Petra Kvitova, Roger Federer and Tomas Berdych all moving through, it also means the outright picks made at the start of the week are all currently intact too with Novak Djokovic playing his first match here later today.
Rafael Nadal's return was also interesting, although he did look a touch nervous and I think the big roadblock he could first face here is the in-form Ernests Gulbis as both of those players are on course for a Fourth Round showdown.
Speaking about Gulbis, it was interesting to hear the Latvian's thoughts on the top 100 as he basically suggested it was 'easy' to move back into those spots- Gulbis has so much talent and it will be interesting if he can put that together as he certainly should be much higher in the Rankings than his current position and his form over the last couple of weeks suggests he will be making that move.
That potential match with Rafael Nadal could be a treat.
Sam Querrey - 2.5 games v Ivo Karlovic: Ivo Karlovic is not the force of old these days and definitely offers more chances against his own serve and is perhaps a little fortunate to still be in the tournament having saved match point against Jack Sock in the First Round.
I think the pressure will increase a little more on the big-serving Croatian as he is unlikely to get too many looks at the Sam Querrey serve unless the latter is slightly off his game.
Querrey has opened up 2013 in decent nick and I expect him to win one set on a tie-break, but another with a single break of serve and that should lead him to the cover in this one.
Maria Kirilenko - 4.5 games v Mallory Burdette: Maria Kirilenko came through a more established American in the last Round and I think she will have a little too much experience and talent for Mallory Burdette in this one too.
Kirilenko looks like she is over the injury that saw her pull out in Doha and I think she'll be a little too consistent for Burdette. The American is only in her second season on the Tour and has done very well to come through qualifiers and then win a couple of matches in the main tournament, but none of the opponents she has beaten are as good as Kirilenko.
I wouldn't be surprised at all if Kirilenko comes through with a straight-forward 6-3, 6-4 win in this one.
MY PICKS: Sam Querrey - 2.5 Games @ 2.00 Pinnacle (2 Units)
Maria Kirilenko - 4.5 Games @ 2.00 Bet Victor (2 Units)
Weekly Update: 9-2, + 12.58 Units (21 Units Staked, + 59.9% Yield)
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