CAMELOT FANTASIES

You're probably right General Hercules, but....

I think Federer should beat Dolgopolov in the first match.  But you never know.  It's an early afternoon match with a sunny day and warm temps predicted (high of 32 C/90 F), so the balls will be flying fast and bouncing relatively high if it with topspin.  Dolgopolov is playing with house money at the moment.  No real pressure, and if he can really get on fire, he certainly has the athleticism to challenge Federer.  He's very speedy and has a variety of shots. But I'm not sure about his stamina.  If Federer can't succeed well enough with his normal aggressive game, he might go to plan B and try to wear Dolgopolov out.  Similar to what he did with Andy Murray at the Australian Open after losing the 3rd set tiebreaker.  He knew Andy was not match fit, stopped serving and volleying, made the games and points drag out and took advantage of that in the end.  Anyway, we will see.  I think Federer should win it in 2, but if he lapses, then it could go three, and who knows?

The second match is too close for me to call.  Isner loves this tournament's conditions during the day.  He's unbeaten against Nole in the USA masters.  The balls fly fast in the desert making it good for servers, but then once the ball is in play, the court is very gritty and the ball bounces high giving time for even the worst movers to get to the ball easier.  His serve comes from the clouds and he has a great kick second serve which on this surface threatens to go over a player's head.  I think Nole has trouble with those, more than the first serve.  Isner is difficult to break, and most of the time he has balls of steel in tiebreakers unless you can exhaust him.   That has to be Nole's strategy in my opinion.  Get as much as he can back, hope Isner has an off day serving, move Isner around, and try to tire him out.  If he can do that better than Isner can serve, then I think Nole will win.  If Isner serves well and doesn't have many long rally points, I think Isner will take it, especially if he can get it to a tiebreaker or breaks Nole (less likely).  Another intangible might be the result of the 1st match.  If Dolgopolov wins, I think Djokovic will find a way to beat Isner, come hell or high water.

Respectfully,
masterclass