[Oct.8]\u00a0 Milos is scheduled to take on Marinko Matesevic (ATP#60) of Australia on Centre Court, Tuesday about 4pm Shanghai-time (1am PT, 4am\u00a0ET)\u00a0following the Isner v Anderson match. Matesevic was the top-seeded qualifier, and has played some good tennis this year, on-and-off; notably upsetting Richard Gasquet to make QF at Eastbourne. But Milos will be the 4-1 betting favourite tomorrow.<\/p>\n
Milos' \"on paper\" likely path to the finals (note a couple of significant speed-bumps):\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 1) M.Matesevic #60\u00a0 2) M.Baghdatis #36 3) J.W.Tsonga #6 4) T.Berdych #7 5) N. Djokovic #2 6) R. Federer #1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 [With upsets, also possible: 2) F. Fognini #45 4) K. Nishikori #15.]<\/p>\n
Rankings: Milos is now up to #14 in the ATP rankings, only 35 points behind R.Gasquet, 25 points ahead of K.Nishikori; a par performance in Shanghai should keep him #14. In the \"ATP Race\" things are a little more interesting: Milos is currently #13, only 170 points below #10 Almagro, who was just upset in round one. So\u00a0that #10 spot is now up for grabs, in reach of (in order) Gasquet, Monaco and Milos.<\/p>\n
UPDATE [Oct.9] Raonic d Matesevic 76(4) 63 -- Milos somewhat uninspired, but mostly in control, except for the eighth game of the first set which he \"donated\" via two shanks and two double-faults. Next up: Milos v M.Baghdatis on the Union Pay Court (so probably not televised?) at 11pm PT; 2am ET. Odds: Milos at 2.5 to 1.\u00a0\u00a0 The ATP Race continues to move in the correct direction:\u00a0Monaco's upset in R32 leaves Gasquet and Milos (in that order) going after Almagro's #10 spot. Milos needs the win tonight to pass Monaco, so lots on the line. Go Milos!!<\/p>\n
UPDATE [Oct.10] In the second round, Milos lost to Marcos Baghdatis in a tough, long (2:40) match: 3 tie-breaks 67(4) 76(5) 67(3). Milos played well, but Marcos had an exceptional day, especially with his first serve, on which Milos was able to pick up only 7 points out of 55 (13%); meanwhile Marcos won points on 25% of Milo's first serves. The third set was illustrative: Milos' serve let him down a bit, with only 51% of 1st serves in, and only 1 ace vs 4 aces from Marcos. Meanwhile Milos picked up only 6 return points, half as many as Marcos. Combined, that probably cost him the break, and thus set and match.<\/p>\n
Full credit to Baghdatis for the win; no discredit to Milos. Interestingly, Gasquet was also upset (by Stepanek) so neither he nor Milos (nor Monaco) will displace Almagro from #10 in the Race rankings. Next up for Milos: the Valencia 500, starting Oct. 21.<\/p>\n