ATP Estoril – Friday Preview

Soderling Robin vs. Del Potro Juan Martin

The match of the day. Top seed Robin Soderling continued to shrug off some recent patchy form as he produced a big-serving performance to beat Jeremy Chardy and advance to the quarter-finals of the Estoril Open. He was a little bit unlucky not to finish in two sets but after he lost the second set in tie-break he controlled the decider once more. Also Del Potro looked better against Falla then in first match in Estoril, his serve improved and he hit deep near the liner.

Both players have a powerful serve, with a plus for Soderling on this surface, the weather shows rains which helps Soderling as he hits flat and the ball stay low. Both are tough baseliners with the Argentine looking more defensive while Soderling will make a step up on court to be decisive.

Cuevas Pablo vs. Bellucci Thomaz

The Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci will enter today against Pablo Cuevas in his goal to reach for the first time semi-finals in Estoril. It will be also a preview from Davis Cup action.Conditions today shows a lot of rain which should slow down considerably things on court. "These two wins have strengthened me, especially against Vasselin, who got back into the game and win, something that before was not able to do. I do not expect facilities against Cuevas, who also is motivated and is playing well, but I am prepared and confident ", said Bellucci.

He plays overall slight better in Estoril but Cuevas looks in solid form, he controlled the match against Tsonga and even that the Frenchman wasn’t impressive on serve the Uruguayan manouvering well opening up the court. Tough match but Cuevas was solid behind the serve, he can mix up better on court and the slow conditions helps him better. 

Anderson Kevin vs. Verdasco Fernando

With Hanescu being in qualifications for Madrid, Anderson had a much easier task on court against Romanian. He easily won as overall the Romanian didn’t pushed too much. He will meet now Verdasco who made a solid match against local favorite.

The South African will have the edge on serve but Verdasco was solid on retrieving and has more firepower from the back of the court, he will force Anderson to hit from running. The Spaniard played solid against Gil.

Raonic Milos vs. Simon Gilles 

The match will be played in the night session when conditions will be slower, also in a rainy day. The Canadian advance in quarter-finals with a straight sets win over local player Sousa and he starts to feel more comfortable on clay. But he will have a tough task against Simon who controlled the match against Berlocq, the Argentinean was in good form but Simon started very concentrated and finished in solid form annihilating the Argentinean serve who was predictable on second delivery.

This will be the key of the match as also Raonic serves a lot with the second deliver and Simon has good retrieving skills to have the upper hand, he also stays better in long rallies and if he will not serve short balls to permit to Canadian to make step on court to be decisive he will easily take this one in two sets.