Analysis for Stepanek-Chardy (ATP Sydney)

Head-to-head record 0:0

Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic will play Frenchman Jeremy Chardy today. As stated last time, Stepanek is an experienced player whose career was disrupted several times due to long lasting injuries but he always managed to get back. He is not as talented as the other top players but was always known for the hard work and drill he experienced on his way to the top 10. He can be rated as an offensive baseliner and sometimes uses the serve-and-volley style of play. Even if it is said he is a versatile player, his style play is most suited to fast surfaces. Last year, after Roddick pulled out through injury before his second match, Stepanek entered the tournament with two round robin ties to play against Roger Federer and Gilles Simon. He gave world number 2 Federer a tough match, losing 7-6 6-4, but was beaten comprehensively by Simon. He started this year in style winning the tournament in Brisbane. In the final, he rallied from a set down for the third straight match to clinch the third career title. He was a surprising winner there but we think the Czech veteran will need more time to recover. Today he will face ambitious Frenchman Chardy whose best result comes from last year´s French Open. After beating Frederico Gil and David Nalbandian at the 2008 French Open, he beats Dmitry Tursunov in the third round. However, he lost in the following round in three tight sets, 7-6 7-6 7-5, to Spaniard Nicholas Almagro. Regardless, Chardy produced his best Grand Slam showing so far in his professional career. He is more than solid player and the big hope of French tennis. He is an offensive baseliner with great serve and aggressive and powerful strokes from the both wings. His latest results weren’t impressive but he definitely is a player of big potential and furthermore, he has the qualifying matches under the belt here. Stepanek must be tired after the Brisbane show and anything above 3.5 on young French blood is worth considering here.