Match Previews / Ben Caudell / 25 June 2009 / 1 Comments

Ben Caudell thinks 2002 champ Lleyton Hewitt can do the business one last time today against fifth seed Juan Martin Del Potro. Plus another win for a Brit.

Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) v Lleyton Hewitt (AUS)

This is my match of the day, a battle between the old and the new. The number five seed Juan Martin Del Potro will take on Aussie legend Lleyton Hewitt on centre court at 1pm today. Surprisingly, these two have never played one another on the ATP tour. The older of the two, Hewitt, has had a magnificent career to date with the highlight being his victory at Wimbledon back in 2002, defeating David Nalbandian in straight sets.

Del Potro, the 2009 quarter finalist of the Australian Open and Semi Finalist of the French Open is part of a new breed of youngsters baying for supremacy amongst the more established players such as Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Roddick.

Yet to reach the final of a grand slam tournament, the young Argentine will hope to fare better than his two previous second round defeats at all the All England Championships. Hewitt has had his time in the limelight and will surely think about retiring some time soon but this will not stop the Aussie from battling through every point, game and set against Del Potro. His stubbornness to win is still etched into every forehand, backhand and serve and whoever knocks him out will need to bring their A-game to the table as well as plenty of fighting spirit.

The value I believe is with Hewitt purely because he has an outstanding Wimbledon record, he has reached the quarter finals twice; semis twice, the 4th round three times and has won the tournament on one occasion, all in the space of nine years. Del Potro has no such experience on the grass and will struggle to get down to the low bouncing balls because of his stature. I expect a real battle that should go the distance, or at the very least four sets.

Selection:

Back Lleyton Hewitt @ 3.4 to win match
Lay Del Potro 3-0 @ [3.35]

Elena Baltacha (GBR) v Kirsten Flipkens (BEL)

One of the remaining British hopefuls left in the singles (Andy Murray the only other British player) has high hopes of reaching the third round at Wimbledon for the first time in her career in what looks to be a decent match-up against a player ranked lower than her.

Baltacha (Ranked 106) and Flipkens (115) have met on two previous occasions, both matches going the way of the Brit and both matches won in straight sets and on indoor courts. This is the first time Flipkens has reached the second round at Wimbledon and she will have her work cut out against home favourite Baltacha and the British fan brigade. I expect this to be a relatively easy win for the Brit after a gutsy performance against Alona Bondarenko in the previous round.

Selection: Back Elena Baltacha @ [1.84] to win match

Best Bet - Lay Juan Martin Del Potro 3-0 @ 3.35