ROGER FEDERER BIDDING FOR NINTH HALLE TENNIS TITLE, THIEM AND DUSTIN BROWN ALSO IN ACTION ON WEDNESDAY PLUS RICKY’S PICKS

Written by: Staff on 15th June 2016

ROGER FEDERER BIDDING FOR NINTH HALLE TENNIS TITLE, THIEM AND DUSTIN BROWN ALSO IN ACTION ON WEDNESDAY PLUS RICKY'S PICKS

epa05354938 Switzerland's Roger Federer returns the ball to Florian Mayer of Germany during their quarter final match of the ATP tennis tournament at the Weissenhof in Stuttgart, Germany, 10 June 2016. EPA/MARIJAN MURAT |

By Ricky Dimon

Roger Federer will be looking to bounce back from an injury-plagued clay-court swing and a relatively surprising loss last week in Stuttgart when he takes the court at his old stomping grounds of the Gerry Weber Open on Wednesday. Germany’s own Jan-Lennard Struff is Federer’s opening opponent. Meanwhile, Dominic Thiem is facing Joao Sousa and Marcos Baghdatis is going up against Dustin Brown.

Ricky previews the action and makes his predictions:

(1) Roger Federer vs. (WC) Jan-Lennard Struff

Federer missed the end of the clay-court swing with a back problem and his grass-court swing began with a semifinal setback against Thiem in Stuttgart, but a trip to Halle may be just what the doctor ordered. The Swiss is 51-5 lifetime at this tournament and 44-2 in his last 46 matches, with eight career titles. Another title this time around would mark the second occasion on which he has won four in a row in Halle, a feat he previously accomplished from 2003 through 2006.

Up first for Federer on Wednesday is Struff, who has never faced the 34-year-old. At No. 88 in the world, Stuff required a wild card to gain direct entry into the main draw. The 26-year-old is a mere 3-7 at the ATP level this season but he is coming off a strong performance in Stuttgart, where he upset Baghdatis in three sets before falling to Gilles Simon 6-4, 4-6, 6-2. Struff has a powerful game that can work well on grass, but Federer is far too good in Halle and surely motivated to get matches under his belt prior to Wimbledon–so this should be straightforward.

Pick: Federer in 2

Joao Sousa vs. (3) Dominic Thiem

Thiem is making the energizer bunny look like it lacks stamina, but the plan has worked so far for the 22-year-old so he might as well play yet another event this week. Technically, in fact, he is participating in two different tournaments this week. Sunday’s Stuttgart title match got delayed by rain to Monday, when Thiem ultimately triumphed over doubles partner Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-7(2), 6-4, 6-4. The Austrian now owns four titles this season and Stuttgart marked his first on grass.

Dominic Thiem of Austria in action against Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany during their final match at the ATP tennis tournament in Stuttgart, Germany, 12 June 2016. EPA/MARIJAN MURAT

After one brief day of rest, the world No. 7 will be back in action for a seventh career meeting with Sousa. The Portuguese trails the head-to-head series 5-1 and he is 2-12 in his last 14 total sets against Thiem. They have squared off twice in 2016, with Sousa going down 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 in a Davis Cup singles rubber at home in Portugal before succumbing 6-3, 6-2 on the clay courts of Rome. The world No. 30 is a mediocre 13-17 this season and grass is by no means his favorite surface, so a clear advantage goes to an indefatigable opponent who is growing in confidence on the slick stuff.

Pick: Thiem in 2

Marcos Baghdatis vs. (WC) Dustin Brown

Baghdatis and Brown will be going head-to-head for the fourth time in their careers and for the third time this year. All three of their previous encounters have gone Baghdatis’ way; 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 on the clay courts of Munich in 2012, 6-4, 7-5, 2-6, 7-6(4) at Wimbledon two seasons later, and 7-6(6), 7-6(0) at the Irving Challenger last spring.

Dustin Brown from Germany reacts against Albert Ramos-Vinolas from Spain during the ATP Tournament in Halle, Germany, 14 June 2016. EPA/FRISO GENTSCH

Now, however, Brown is back on his favorite surface and has a Wimbledon upset of Rafael Nadal under his belt. The 87th-ranked German recently advanced to the Roland Garros second round as a qualifier and he secured a Challenger title in Manchester before beating Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-3, 7-5 on Tuesday. Baghdatis booked his spot in the last 16 by knocking out fourth-seeded Tomas Berdych 7-6(3), 7-6(4). The 42nd-ranked Cypriot is a lackluster 12-10 for his 2016 campaign and coming off a first-round ouster at the hands of Jan-Lennard Struff in Stuttgart. This is a prime opportunity for a confident Brown to get on the scoreboard against Baghdatis in what should be an entertaining battle.

Pick: Brown in 3