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posted January 17, 2008 at 16:22 in Tennis Articles

Native Australian, Lleyton Hewitt has not won an Australian Open in 11 tries and face World No. 16 Marcos Baghdatis today in what promises to be on of several thrilling third round matches taking place today.

Here is a look at some of the most interesting third round matches on the schedule followed by my analysis and  ATP Free Picks.

07:00 PM EST

Lleyton Hewitt -110

Marcos Baghdatis -130

ATP Australian Open Round 3

Analysis: This could literally turn out to be the best match of the tournament so far. The 16th-ranked ‘Big Smilin’ Baghdatis, the 2006 Australian Open runner-up to Federer, holds a career 1-0 record over Hewitt, beating the 2000 U.S. Open winner in a quarterfinal match at the 2006 Wimbledon. Hewitt, a native Australian has never won his ‘homeland’ tournament and will see another run at the title come to an end at the hands of Baghdatis.

Free Pick: Baghdatis

07:00 PM EST

David Nalbandian -250

Juan Carlos Ferrero +185

ATP Australian Open Round 3

Analysis: Nalbandian and Ferrero are 2-2 in four career matches but it is Nalbandian that is playing ‘lights out’ tennis at the moment – and looking like a serious contender to reach the finals this season.

Free Pick: Nalbandian

05:00 AM EST

Andy Roddick

-6½ -125

-700

Philipp Kohlschreiber

+6½ -115

+400

ATP Australian Open Round 3

Analysis: Roddick is 2-0 against Kohlschreiber, beating him once at the 2005 Australian Open and once in 2003. While Kohlschreiber, (No. 27) is making a move up the men’s rankings, he’s not ready for a red-hot Roddick who is my dark horse pick to actually win the entire tournament.

Free Pick: Roddick

03:30 AM EST

Jarkko Nieminen

-1 -110

Over 40½ -120

Mardy Fish

+1 -130

Under 40½ -120

ATP Australian Open Round 3

Analysis: These players have never met before and while Nieminen is ranked 26th in the world and Fish 43rd, I’m going against the rankings and taking Fish, who has improved dramatically the last 18 months and could be moving into the top 30 at some point this season.

Free Pick: Fish

09:00 PM EST

Mikhail Youzhny -3 -130

-240

Over 43½ +110

Ivo Karlovic +3 -110

+180

Under 43½ -150

ATP Australian Open Round 3

Analysis: The 14th-ranked Youzhny is coming on strong and has not reached the pinnacle of his career or the apex of his talent level while Karlovic, No. 24 in the world rankings, may be headed toward the downside of his career as he will be 29-years-old next month.

Free Pick: Youzhny

07:00 PM EST

Vincent Spadea +700

David Ferrer -1600

ATP Australian Open Round 3

Analysis: Get real people. The 34-year-old Spadea already has one foot on the retirement treadmill while Ferrer, whom I gained a new respect for last season, is ranked No. 5 in the world and has the look of a Grand Slam finalist on most days.

Free Pick: Ferrer

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