Day 7 Pick - MENS AO SUICIDE POOL

[Moose]

....and now, it gets interesting!

Welcome to Day 7 of the Australian. You've lasted to the Round of 16. And
everything from here on in gets more and more risky.

Please remember to check your picks and results to date - we hate
eliminating players because of duplicate picks, and its happened before.
Once you have used a player, you cannot use them again.

NOTE TO PLAYERS: Some 3rd Round matches are likely to carry over to Day 7 due to rain. You CANNOT pick a rain delayed match. Your choice must come from these four matches.


Day 7 features 4 Fourth Round matchups from the top half of the
mens draw.

Your picks are due no later than start of play Sunday, 1/21, 11:00 a.m.
Australian time, Saturday 1/20 7:00 p.m. USA Eastern Time.

Best of luck everybody!

Roger Federer SUI (1) vs. Novak Djokovic SRB (14)
Richard Gasquet FRA (18) vs. Tommy Robredo ESP (7)
Mardy Fish USA vs. David Ferrer ESP (16)
Mario Ancic CRO (9) vs. Andy Roddick USA (6)

[ptmcmahon]

Gotta save Federer and Roddick (or Ancic if he beats him.)

Already picked Gasquet...3 choices. Unless I figure out who I think will win between the F's I'll have to go with

Tommy Robredo ESP (7) for now.

[mocam57]

Andy Roddick

[suliso]

This starts to get really risky. Finally I guess (it was no rocket science to pick Djokovic after all)...

It would not be very smart to pick Roddick (or Ancic) so early and I have no idea who is better - Fish or Ferrer. So either Robredo or Gasquet - I will go with youth.

Richard Gasquet is next

[ptmcmahon]

You can tell we're getting deep when we have people picking from both sides of the matches! I don't fully trust my Tommy pick, but better than the coin toss other match.

[doubledogbrewer]

the first couple days were hard because there were so many choices ... and it was hard to see ahead.

yesterday was hard (and today is too) because there are so few choices.

Already picked Fish (who I think beats Ferrer) and Ancic (who loses to Roddick).

No way I can pick Djokovic (won't beat Roget) and three rounds too early to pick The GOAT. So it's Roddick if I think he loses in the QFs (he won't; he'll lose to Federer in the semis), or it's Gasquet or Robredo.

Is this going to make me tired every day from here on out?

I would have loved to see Gasquet v Baghdatis last round, and since Gasquet destroyed Monfils, I think he's feeling it.

Richard it is! :-/

[one_shot07]

Wow... this was tough! Hoping Haas gets thru day 6, I'll go w/ Gasquet!

[KDK]

Hmm... Fish and Ferrer just played in Auckland, and while it went to three sets, only one of them was competitive with Ferrer winning the match. I'd rather see Mardy Fish win, but I'm going to go with David Ferrer as my pick seeing that Nalbandian just took out Grosjean after going two sets down.

[JBIMH]

After nearly having a heart attack during that Nalbandian match, I've decided to put on the line here and go with my guy Mardy Fish.

[FourTeller]

While he's coming off a tough match and facing a much fresher opponent, I'm trusting the higher ranking and recent head-to-head results in favour of...

David Ferrer.

FT

[aufty]

I want Fish to win, but Ferrer just beat him a few weeks ago in a 3-setter (and a little lopsided in the 2 sets Ferrer won). So I'll stay away from that match and instead pick Federer's next victim -- Richard Gasquet.

[Eugene]

Mardy Fish

[mrjiggyfly2]

Monsieur Gasquet, s'il vous plait.

[Kirkus]

I hate everyone that still gets to make picks. ;D

[3mlm]

I hate everyone that still gets to make picks. Â*;D

Maybe I should let you make my pick. I can't decide. Gasquet or Robredo? Ferrer or Fish?

[3mlm]

For those who are pondering these limited choices:

Ferrer and Fish are 2-2 against each other; Fish winning on hard at the USO 2004 and on carpet at Paris 2004 and Ferrer winning on hard at New Haven 2006 and Auckland 2007.

Gasquet and Robredo are 1-1 against each other; Gasquet winning on clay at Stuttgart 2004 and Robredo winning on hard court at Cincinnati 2006.

I pick Ferrer.

[Scotty]

I like 3mlm's logic, 'cuz I was coming to the same conclusion.

I really wanted to pick the Backhand from Beziers, but I fear Robredo may be too steady for him.

So, as long as Murray gets through, Sr. Ferrer, por favor.
S

[Moose]

Before this tourney started, I was having a discussion with someone about David Ferrer's hardcourt prowess.

During the French last year, I was having a discussion with someone about how David Ferrer seems to have an aversion with going deep in a slam draw, when he is gifted with a draw kissed by the gods.

My pick for today was going to be Ree-Shard up til two minutes ago. I changed it, which isn't a good sign. But, if Gonzo survives, I'm going with

DAVID FERRER

[Martini4me]

Ack, this is tough! I don't even know much about Ferrer or Robredo. Given they're Spanish, the assumption is always that they're clay-court specialists, but I'm pretty certain that at least Robredo is not. I have to pick from the middle two matches, so I'll depend on the ranking difference (and some info from posts above) and go with Ferrer.

[slicerdicer]

Gasquet please

[catz33]

My pick has been made by Mario Ancic. I used him to get started so I must go up top and chose between Gasquet and Robredo.

My pick: Gasquet

[morct]

OK here's where the SP gets interesting! 8-)

Ferrer for me please.

[beaujarkko]

I refuse to choose against Rippin' Richie (unless his opponent is a certain Federer...) so I tossed a coin. I'll take Fish, please.

Thanks,

Phil

[TennisDude]

Wow I really don't have a choice. I can't pick against Robredo and I want to save Fed and Roddick. So I have to go with David Ferrer

[ptmcmahon]

Wow...we're gonna lose a bunch of people.... more on the Ferrer/Gascuqt bandwagons, which makes me even more hopeful for my Roberedo choice...everyone pick Gascquet and lose please! Can't wait to see final numbers or if anyone makes a pick in the Roddick match.

[flowerchild39]

Thanks everyone for sharing your strategies and research. It's all very helpful. I am banking on Fish being fresh (no pun intended) versus Ferrer played a 5 setter last round. So if Murray gets through, my pick is....

FISH

[bp_cooke]

Its now or never. Roger Federer

[udaneri]

IN DAY 7, David Ferrer PLS

GRACIAS

[augietoast]

richard gasquet please

[TennisAnyone74]

I think I'll go with Tommy Robredo.

TA

[danutz]

If I survive today I pick Tommy Robredo

[gff0]

I keep second guessing myself, but in my initial drawsheet I had Gasquet over Robredo in this round. Gotta remember old SAT advice and stick with my first instinct. Gasquet it is!

[mainetennis]

C'est Gasquet, aujourd'hui.

[agassifan]

Ferrer for me

[t0atiam]

David Ferrer ESP (16)

[DeeCee]

If I survive with Haas I will go with Richard Gasquet FRA

[netplay225]

If, as a Djok, Tommy Robs Richard's car, using his Key and his Gas to Ferry David to the river with Andy's Fishing Rod, would that leave only An, feeling cic, and Feder - er, I guess not. So, provided that I am still in, I go with:


DAVID FERRER!

[sluggo-13]

i'll take Gasquet please.

[Net_Raider]

David Ferrer

[elliot02]

Richard Gasquet

[dryrunguy]

Well, I have no choice. Have to pull someone off the "Do Not Pick" list. He screwed me at the U.S. Open, but here's his chance to redeem himself...

David Ferrer.

Dry

[Snidely]

just can't bring myself to wade into the Robredo - Gasquet match (though I'll be rooting for Gasquet), so I'm goin' fishin' --

A helping of Mardy Fish for me. (provided Berdych gets through)

[Siena]

Assuming that Haas gets me through, I'll go with another Tommy.....Tommy Robredo.

[GVGirl]

GASQUET

[Jidkova_Fan]

My day 7 pick:-

Richard Gasquet

[MarkB24]

Richard Gasquet for me please.

[cdavid99]

Robredo.

[naranjo]

David Ferrer should win his match over Fish.

[MariaFan]

Roddick

[shtexas]

I just want to say no matter the outcome, it is exciting to make tough choices like this.

My pick:

David Ferrer.

[bosmikeyb]

Gotta go with Ferrer

[ekeller]

Gasquet, if Haas wins.

[kzt123]

Gasquet please ....

[matt2370]

Ferrer.

[tennisbrp]

Mardy (don't call me cameron diaz) Fish please

[sblanc]

Richard Gasquet S'il vous plait
Allez Richard!

[epetersen]

Gasquet

[Vuhruhto]

I'll take Richard Gasquet

[The_Hammer]

Ferrer

[Miles]

Richard Gasquet

[backhand]

Ferrer vs. Fish...you can't be sure about either...therefore, I'll go with

Ferrer

[Moose]

We had email in our box, Shtexas.

From BUFFALO , asking us to post his pick, because he can't get on the internet.

Buffalo's Day 7 Pick is:

David Ferrer

[shtexas]

Moose just reminded me that Lizchao has chosen Robredo.

[mysterX]

Tough choice. I'm going with Mardy Fish

[uibristol]

Robredo

[fish]

Ferrer, please.

Thanks.

[jabrot11]

Richard Gasquet

[slicentice]

Gasquet

[Takao]

Richard Gasquet

[joshman]

Did anyone notice that Ferrer beat Fish just over a week ago in Auckland? 6-0, 4-6, 6-1...hardly convincing, makes me think Fish has a good chance this time around :-?

On the other hand, I'm saving Roddick and Federer for later (with Djokovic as an ace up my sleeve)

I think Gasquet plays a really remarkable game...sometimes. And for all the talk of him not belonging in the top 8, Robredo beat Nalbadian, Davydenko, Ljubicic and Blake last year...so he must be able to hit his forehand like clockwork some days....

The bottom line for me is that I keep going back and forth on that last match so, (assuming Haas wins his delayed match) I pick David Ferrer... I'll go with weak evidence over no evidence :-?

[ptmcmahon]

Did I see someone pick Federer? He know something the rest of us don't ? ;)

[thrynny]

David Ferrer is my pick today.

[IntnstyAngle]

Here's hopin' Rippin' Richie rips Robredo!

Richard Gasquet s.v.p.

[mu_royals]

Like nearly everyone else I have to choose between the Gasquet-Robredo and Fish-Ferrer matches. My gut tells me Fish and Robredo will win but I hardly am convinced of either outcome. In looking thru the picks I'm surprised that Robredo seems the least chosen of the 4.

I'm going against the CW of the board and taking Robredo. I hope I'm right!

[shtexas]

bumping this up with two hours left. Missing about ten players.

[winston]

If Haas gets through, I'll take Ferrer

[Mikel]

Gasquet

[facey007]

Richard Gasquet

[aedra1119]

This is SO hard! Â*I'm just glad I made it this far. Â*I've been deciding for a while, then I realized this pick might not even count! Â*OK. Â*I've been playing it safe for the last few rounds, and I'm ready to take a risk. Â*(It also helps that I won't be awake for this match! Â*;)) Â*So, if Haas wins, my pick is:

Tommy Robredo

[borenore2]

David Ferrer please.

[marsny]

mardy fish

[mmmm8]

Can't believe I'm going to do this, but gotta go with my gut feeling:


Tommy Robredo

[shtexas]

With an hour to go, I am missing Bagster, Didge and jharrisct.

[catz33]

Ferrer, please.

Thanks.

lol, fish takes ferrer!

[Moose]

About 10 minutes left, everyody.

[Bagster]

Whew...completely forgot about this (was thikning about it just didn't do it!)

After much deliberation I take...Ferrer

[Moose]

DAY 7 IS OFFICIALLY CLOSED

[Moose]

there was one more email in our box for the men.

Didgeridoo33 picks Ferrer