Thursday's Order of Play

Those of you keeping track know that I have yet to post my picks for Wednesday's matches. I already made them, just need to write them up. They'll be postdated when I do get around to posting them.

And now, my picks for Thursday's eight Round of 16 matches.

CENTER COURT
Matches Start At: 4:00 PM

Michael BERRER (GER) vs Gael MONFILS (FRA) [9]

I am pretty sure Monfils makes it through this one unscathed. I want him to make the quarters so I'll get to see him--I was watching Roddick during his first round, and will likely be watching Spadea during this one.

My pick: Gael Monfils

Michael RUSSELL (USA) [16] vs Tommy HAAS (GER) [2]

You know your tournament is plagued with withdrawals when...
...Michael Russell is a seed. Tommy in two easy ones.

My pick: Tommy Haas

Not Before 7:00 PM
Andy RODDICK (USA) [1] vs Radek STEPANEK (CZE) [15]

Roddick-Radek should be a fun match. Stepanek just won the US Open Series tournament in Los Angeles, so he's riding a nice win streak. Tough draw for both of them. I pick Andy, but this could easily be his toughest match of the tournament.

My pick: Andy Roddick

Robin HAASE (NED) vs Marat SAFIN (RUS) [3]

Marat was a total mess for much of his first round match, but his opponent simply wasn't good enough to beat him. Same here.

My pick: Marat Safin

GRANDSTAND
Matches Start At: 4:00 PM

Vincent SPADEA (USA) [12] vs Ivo KARLOVIC (CRO) [7]

Watching Spadea yesterday, I was kind of amazed at how few weapons he has. He did manage to break Moodie's serve, which bodes well for him here. That being said, Ivo should take this one, with at least one tiebreaker in there.

My pick: Ivo Karlovic

John ISNER (USA) [WC] vs Wayne ODESNIK (USA) [Q]

Isner has become the talk of the tournament, beating Henman as well as the overrated Benjamin Becker. Odesnik had a very nice, scrappy win over Del Potro. It's a great opportunity for both of them to make their first ATP quarterfinal. Isner has way more weapons, so I give him the edge.

My pick: John Isner

ITF Women's Circuit:
Julie DITTY (USA) vs Kristina BRANDI (PUR)

ITF Women's Circuit:
Christina FUSANO (USA)/Alexa GLATCH (USA) vs Maria MOKH (USA)/Alexandra MUELLER (USA)

COURT 1
Matches Start At: 4:00 PM

Thomas JOHANSSON (SWE) vs Paul CAPDEVILLE (CHI)

Why these matches are on Court 1 is beyond me--why is a grand slam champion on a smaller court than Julie Ditty? Johansson may take a bit to adapt to Capdeville's turf here on the side courts, but he should pull through.

My pick: Thomas Johansson

Julien BENNETEAU (FRA) [11] vs Hyung-Taik LEE (KOR) [5]

Julien Benneteau thoroughly outclassed Kei Nishikori in their second round encounter--he's playing phenomenally well. I think he should be able to get through H-T in straight sets.

My pick: Julien Benneteau

Chris HAGGARD (RSA)/Ivo KARLOVIC (CRO) vs Martin DAMM (CZE)/Leander PAES (IND)

ITF Women's Circuit:
Melinda CZINK (HUN)/Lindsay LEE-WATERS (USA) vs Alina JIDKOVA (RUS)/Olga SAVCHUK (UKR)

Yesterday's record: 6 for 10. (My worst to date.)

Overall record: 31 for 44.