MELBOURNE, Australia -- Fitness and freshness should affect the outcome of the men's semifinal matches.
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Patrick's Picks |
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| | | McEnroe |
Former ATP Tour pro Patrick McEnroe is providing ESPN.com with in-depth analysis during the Australian Open. McEnroe, a tennis analyst for ESPN, was recently selected as the U.S. Davis Cup team captain. |
Andre Agassi (6) vs.
Patrick Rafter (12)
Lean toward Agassi in that matchup. The slower hardcourt here favors Agassi. However, Rafter is one of the few players who is not intimidated by Agassi. Agassi can wear Rafter down, but it will have to be a long match for that to happen. Rafter is as fit as Agassi, but Rafter has to work harder to win his points. If Rafter can keep it close, he'll have an edge. If Rafter can stay with Agassi, similar to Wimbledon last year in the semifinals when Agassi cracked, it would give him a good chance to win. Otherwise, Agassi in four sets in front of an avid Australian crowd. Pick: Agassi
Arnaud Clement (15) vs. Sebastien Grosjean (16)
Pick Grosjean in an all-French battle based on his freshness. Obviously Clement had a much more difficult quarterfinal, and he seemed to suffer from an injury during his match with Yevgeny Kafelnikov. Because of that, give the slight edge to Grosjean, who had a much easier quarterfinal against Carlos Moya. One thing is guaranteed -- a diminutive Frenchman will be in the final. Pick: Grosjean