Early Thoughts Mats Wilander once roughly said that no one should predict a Grand Slam title for a player until he wins his first because breaking through at a slam is different than winning a 250, 500 or 1000 level event. I will take a look at the men who have already won major titles. My…
Month: August 2014
Tennis Power Ranking 2014: Cincinnati – All Hail King Roger the 6th
Tennis Abides Power Ranking 2014 Ranking #10: Cincinnati Novak Djokovic – Nole stays at #1, but his play in Toronto and Cincinnati will not be good enough to win in New York. I expect Novak to round into form, but this was not the most reassuring hard court swing for his supporters. Roger Federer – Rafa…
Quick Hits from Cincinnati 2014 Semifinal Matches
I was fortunate enough to be able to see the evening session semifinal matches of Ana Ivanovic vs. Maria Sharapova and Roger Federer vs. Milos Raonic. Here were some impressions and things I noticed. If Ana Ivanovic is 6’1″, Maria Sharapova is far taller than her listed height of 6’2″. Sharapova’s grunting gets louder on…
WTA Cincinnati 2014: Championship Predictions Serena Williams vs. Ana Ivanovic
Serena Williams vs. Ana Ivanovic I watched Ana Ivanovic master Maria Sharapova by leading 6-2, 4-0, only to let her off the hook and fall behind, only to save 2 match points and win 6-2, 5-7, 7-5. Serena Williams had to dig out of trouble as well in her semifinal match. Ivanovic knocked Serena out…
Masters Cincinnati 2014: Championship Prediction Federer vs. Ferrer
Roger Federer vs. David Ferrer Roger Federer and David Ferrer are the last two players standing after an entertaining installment of the Cincinnati Masters 1000 event. These two just faced off in Toronto and put on a close and intense match. I think the championship match in Cincinnati will offer more of the same. Roger…
Cincinnati 2014: WTA Semifinal Predictions
Semifinal #1: [1] Serena Williams (USA) vs [12] Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) These two put on one incredible match in Montreal last week. Wozniacki just beat Radwanska who won Montreal. Serena is playing her third consecutive week of tennis on the WTA Tour. I am torn on this match. Wozniacki is playing her best tennis in 2…
Masters Cincinnati 2014: ATP Semifinal Predictions
Semifinal #1: [6] David Ferrer (ESP) vs Julien Benneteau (FRA) Two veterans will square off for a spot in the Cincinnati championship round. Ferrer won the Paris indoor and has reached a Grand Slam final and multiple Masters 1000 finals, but this would be a huge feather in his cap if he took the Cincinnati…
Cincinnati 2014: WTA Quarterfinal Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD [1] Serena Williams (USA) vs [8] Jelena Jankovic (SRB) – This should be fun in part due to some semi-tense moments in the past between the two. However, unless she is overly error prone, Serena should win the match. [9] Ana Ivanovic (SRB) vs Elina Svitolina (UKR) – Ivanovic is having a nice rebound…
Masters Cincinnati 2014: ATP Quarterfinal Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD Stan Wawrinka (SUI) vs Julien Benneteau (FRA) H2H – The head-to-head favors Benneteau, but I think Wawrinka has a nice chance to really assert himself in this match and this tournament. I think Wawrinka advances. [6] David Ferrer (ESP) vs [16] Tommy Robredo (ESP) – Two gritty and fit Spaniards square off in…
Masters Cincinnati 2014: Day 4 ATP Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD [3] Stan Wawrinka (SUI) vs [14] Marin Cilic (CRO) H2H – This is close to a 50-50 match in my mind, but Wawrinka is a little more solid overall than Cilic in my view. This could be the match of the day though so if you have a ticket be sure to watch….
Tennis Abides: Dan Martin on Tennis and Life 