Predicted Winner in BOLD

John Isner 1 vs. Ryan Harrison 6

John Isner has stopped some of his recent bleeding by winning some matches in Rhode Island, but I sense that the big man is just not playing very well.  He has accomplished one goal in terms of getting more match play on grass courts prior to the Olympic games in London.  Isner’s second goal of defending computer points and momentum that he earned in winning this title last year may be harder to achieve because Harrison is a talented foe.  I think Harrison is hungry and capable of pulling off a minor upset here to reach the final round.

Lleyton Hewitt vs. Rajeev Ram

Both men have won at least one title on grass.  Hewitt’s 2002 Wimbledon title is a far bigger accomplishment than Ram’s 2009 title in Newport.  Hewitt also has 6 other titles on grass including wins at Queen’s Club over Pete Sampras and Tim Henman in the final round as well as a win at Halle over Roger Federer in the final round.  Still, both men have winning experience on this surface.  Ram’s best memories as a player are at Newport, RI as he improbably won both the singles and doubles events in 2009.  Hewitt should be inspired by seeing Gustavo Kuerten the man he battled for the #1 ranking in 2001 being enshrined in the International Tennis Hall of Fame.  My guess is Lleyton wins the semifinal setting up a potentially lively final with Harrison.