Rafael Nadal (1) vs. Novak Djokovic (2) After Nole ended 2013 with a huge winning streak, dreams of Djokovic winning his 5th Australian Open title setting up a battle with Rafael Nadal in Paris seemed tantalizingly close. Instead, Stan Wawrinka beat both Nole and Rafa in Melbourne and 2014 has been a year without a…
Month: March 2014
Miami 2014 Championship: Na Li vs. Serena Williams
Final Serena Williams (1) vs. Na Li (2) With Victoria Azarenka ailing and Na Li winning her second major title in January, this is the match to see on the WTA Tour. Na Li has a strong serve and great shot making abilities. She has weapons. This does not assure her of victory versus Serena. It does not…
NCAA 2014 Tennis Analog Bracket Elite 8
*** A Reminder – Since this NCAA Season Lacked a Super Dominant Team – No College was Given Rafa, Nole or Roger as an Analog *** Florida/Andy Murray vs. Dayton/Jurgen Melzer – I have to stick with my original pick of Melzer for Dayton, but Dayton is a team with a lot of speed. Florida looks…
Masters Miami 2014: Nadal vs. Berdych Prediction
Semifinals Rafael Nadal (1) vs. Tomas Berdych (7) I think Berdych could win this match, but my guess is that a Rafa-Nole collision is on the horizon. Berdych’s chance is to play first strike tennis and take control of points off of his serve and his return. If Rafa serves well enough, I think he will get his…
Masters Miami 2014: Djokovic vs. Nishikori Prediction
Semifinals Novak Djokovic (2) vs. Kei Nishikori (20) Nole has a chance to recapture his late 2013 form and win back-to-back Masters Series events. Kei Nishikori can build on his solid play in Australia and Miami by knocking off the world #1 and playing for the biggest prize of his career. A lot is on the line. In…
Updated NCAA – Tennis Analog Bracket
Last night the following results came in to the Counterfactual Sports Hybrid Bracket (Patent Pending on the CSHB name): Dayton/Jurgen Melzer d. Stanford/Pablo Andujar to reach the quarterfinal round Dayton/Melzer will face Florida/Andy Murray who defeated UCLA/Stanislas Wawrinka the winner will reach the Final Four Also Wisconsin/Tommy Robredo d. Baylor/Ernests Gulbis as the smart pick won out over…
WTA Miami: March 27, 2014 Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD My WTA picks were perfect yesterday after my terrible WTA Indian Wells picks. Serena Williams (1) vs. Maria Sharapova (4) – Serena loves Miami. Miami loves Serena. Maria is in theory due for a win over Serena, but I think Serena is in clear control of this rivalry. Na Li (2) vs. Dominika Cibulkova (10) – This…
Masters Miami: March 27, 2014 ATP Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD Nishikori’s win was not a total shock, but it does send Roger into the clay court season only picking up 216 points in Miami rather than the 360 or more he would have added had he reached the semifinal round. That could be important for Wimbledon and French Open seeding. Rafael…
Tennis Analogs for NCAA Sweet 16 Teams
As a Kentucky native, I grew up loving basketball. When my Skyhook was not matched with a 7’2″ frame, I began to drift toward other sports. In 1985 at 9 years of age, I saw Boris Becker win Wimbledon. I was hooked. To be able to combine ATP Tennis with the NCAA Sweet 16 is…
Coaching Tennis Benefits One’s Play
I coached high school tennis in 2003 and 2004. I returned to coaching as an assistant coach at an elite program in Kentucky in 2013 and am having a successful campaign as JV coach this year as well. Coaching is a rewarding experience for a teacher because the threshold for getting a young person’s attention…
Tennis Abides: Dan Martin on Tennis and Life 