Analysis for Santoro-Kendrick (ATP Eastbourne)

Head-to-head record 0:0

American bomber Robert Kendrick will play French veteran Fabrice Santoro in the first round. Kendrick plays serve and volley style and he loves grass. Last week, he lost in a tight match to Feliciano Lopez (6-7,6-7) but his serve was unbreakable as usual. One of the highlights of Kendrick´s career was Wimbledon 2007. In the second round, he lost to the second seed, Rafael Nadal on Centre Court. The Spaniard had to come back for only the second time in his career from two sets down to beat Kendrick 6–7(4), 3–6, 7-6(2), 7–5, 6–4. This performance surprised many. Kendrick employed a serve and volley style of play that appeared to frustrate Nadal for almost three sets. Some consider Kendrick to be unfortunate not to have won because at 5–4 (30–15) up in the third set with Nadal serving, a close line call went against him which would have meant 40-15 and two match points. Although Kendrick appeared dismayed by the call, a television replay showed that the call was correct and should have gone against Kendrick. As it was, Nadal went on to win the set in a tiebreak and then the match. Kendrick's serving impressed many, as he served twenty-eight aces, compared to Nadal's seven. Kendrick was the only player in the tournament to take sets off Nadal on the Spaniard's route to the final, where he lost to top-seeded Swiss Roger Federer. He will play Fabrice Santoro whose best years are already over. His career is coming to end and we don’t think this will be a winning farewell. Fabrice is noted for his cheery attitude on court and his vast arsenal of trick shots, making him a crowd favorite and gaining him the admiration of his peers. Santoro plays with two hands on forehand and backhand, and though he is right-handed, often slices his forehand with his left hand. He attributes this to his having used racquets of the same weight throughout his career, which were too heavy for a six year old starting off a career to hold with one hand. He is an interesting player with unbelievable technique but he prefers slower surfaces and his latest form is not good enough. Kendrick is our favourite for this one.