Aussie Open Draw: Del Potro and Roddick headline Third Quarter

Melbourne, Australia – Juan Martin Del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion and the player bookies tip as the third, short-odds-on-favourite to win the Aussie Open, shares a section with American Andy Roddick, a former world No.1 and US Open champion and a player pundits are not taking too seriously in Melbourne.

Del Potro arrives in Melbourne with a questionable wrist, which casts his whole campaign in doubt and Roddick arrives having won the warm-up event in Brisbane. But HE is the player bookies doubt.

Del Potro and Roddick would collide in the quarterfinals of the Aussie Open, assuming they both punch at their weight class en route to the final eight. The matchup would be a dream quarterfinal and most would probably give Del Potro the edge over A-Rod on the day.

However, the real tipping question in this section is whether Del Potro’s wrist will hold up – even to get him that far, frankly. Where Roddick is concerned, the question is whether he might rival his 2009 Wimby run in Melbourne – or was that his last gasp at a major.

These considerations are made harder to answer because the third quarter of the draw is no cakewalk with some serious rising stars, dangerous dark horses and savvy veterans, all of whom could shake things up more than you might think.

Roddick’s corner

Roddick’s corner is a tough section indeed with Sam Querrey, Tomas Berdych, Feliciano Lopez and former Aussie Open runner-up Fernando Gonzalez, all looming at some point or other.

Roddick opened his campaign with a convincing performance over Thiemo De Bakker, winning in straight sets. He had his buddy, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Terrell Owens on hand to lend support from his box. Next up for Roddick is a second round encounter against either Thomaz Bellucci or Teimuraz Gabashvilli. The former would present a tougher challenge but either or, shouldn’t threaten Roddick.

The third round could get interesting with either (favourites to go that far) Feliciano Lopez or Sam Querrey. Roddick would most likely prefer a contest against Lopez than compatriot Querrey but either way, no matter which player he would get, I don’t think it will make a huge difference. Both have serious skills and on a good day could hurt Roddick. That said, Roddick is the on-form player and he should survive either of these two challengers.

The last 16 could see Roddick collide against Tomas Berdych or Fernando Gonzalez. Either player could serve up an exciting clash and would have a reasonable shot at upsetting Roddick.

Del Potro’s corner

Del Potro opened his campaign a bit shaky, dropping a set to journeyman player Michael Russell. He scraped by in four sets and for the most part his wrist held up but because he was the least convincing of the top players so far, one has to consider the veracity of his bid in Melbourne.

Del Potro next will face either James Blake or Arnaud Clement. Clement has been hot lately and might be audacious enough to make things interesting. James Blake in theory could take on the biggest threat in the third quarter and aim to cause the upset. If successful, I know a player who would be super pleased.