Roger Federer vs. Tommy Haas
With defending Dubai Tennis Open Champion Rafael Nadal losing his match yesterday, Roger Federer's path to his fourth Dubai title in five years appears clear, save one obstacle who might yet be able to pull off the upset. Today, world and tournament No. 1 Federer of Switzerland will take on world No. 9 Tommy Haas of Germany, seeded fifth in the tournament, in a semifinal bout that will likely serve as the de facto championship match as either winner will likely defeat any opponent they face in tomorrow's finals.
While one's gut reaction is to pick Federer in every match regardless of scenario, Haas has caught fire as of late and his serve has been practically unreturnable. Before arriving in Dubai, the German took home the Regions Morgan Keegan championship in Memphis on Sunday, dominating world No. 3 Andy Roddick 6-3, 6-2 with his blistering serve. He also did not face a single break point in Memphis in 47 serving games.
Both men enter this match with double-digit match winning streaks, though Federer's 39-consecutive wins dwarfs Haas' 11-straight considerably. Nevertheless, the German will give the Swiss a run for his money. Haas has been playing keen tennis during this tournament, winning all three of his matches in straight sets, again relying on his powerful serve, while Federer has been forced to play three sets in two of his three matches thus far. If Haas' serve remains consistent against Federer today, the Swiss may find himself heading home empty handed.
One final statistic: Federer is 7-2 against Haas all time, having won the last six-straight against the German.
The pick: Haas in three.
-by Thomas Eager
Daisuke Matsuzaka vs. Boston College
In his first action in a Red Sox uniform, Daisuke Matsuzaka is scheduled to take on the Boston College Eagles tonight. He's likely to get no more than two innings of work, so flip on NESN or set your TiVo for tonight at 6, because by 6:15, he'll be done, and the Eagles won't know what hit them.
Sure, the 0-3 Eagles fought valiantly in a 7-6 loss to Vanderbilt, the No. 1 ranked team in the nation, in their most recent action. They even scored five runs off Vandy sophomore Brett Jacobson, a 6'6" righty who, just two years ago, was Baseball America's 12th-ranked pro prospect and an 11th round draft choice of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
So what?! This is Daisuke Bleepin' Matsuzaka we're talking about here, folks!
In 1998, when he was in high school, he picked up a win, throwing 250 pitches in a 17-inning game in Japan's Koshien Tournament, that country's closest thing to March Madness. And just in case you weren't watching, he went out and tossed a no-hitter in the tournament championship two days later. This guy might throw a pitch that might not even exist!
Excuse me if I'm not worried about what BC leadoff hitter Johnny Ayers, also the punter for the Eagle football team, will do against Matsuzaka. As an Eagle fan, I just hope the unlucky guys with the chore of standing in against Dice-K aren't emotionally scarred for the rest of the season.
The pick: Don't blink. Matsuzaka will retire six Eagles in 20 pitches or less.
-by Andrew Silver
