Chengdu and Shenzen 2017: Championship Predictions

Chengdu Championship: Marcos Baghdatis vs. Denis Istomin This is a match between two players no one really likes seeing in their section of the draw.  Neither tends to post consistent results, but both have the capability to win big matches.  Istomin leads their head to head 2-1, but one of those wins was an early…

Tim Mayotte Interview Part 1

Originally posted on Tennis Abides: Dan Martin on Tennis and Life:
Winning the 1987 Paris Indoor Tim Mayotte won the silver medal in singles at the 1988 Olympic Games, reached 10 Grand Slam quarterfinal rounds, 2 Grand Slam Semifinal rounds, and won the Bercy.  He claimed 12 singles titles and reached #7 in the world.…

Tennis Abides Community: Help Launch a Hit for Puerto Rico

@MonicaAce93 @rogerfederer @andyroddick – The Hit for Haiti was such a success. I hope tennis acts when and how it can for Puerto Rico! — Dan Martin (@DanMartinTennis) September 28, 2017 //platform.twitter.com/widgets.js I’d be down to help !! https://t.co/9bckeDHhWR — andyroddick (@andyroddick) September 28, 2017 //platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Andy Roddick said he’d be down to help if…

Europe Wins the Laver Cup in a Successful Debut for the Event

Inaugural #LaverCup Champions#TeamEurope 🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/IWrwtMy6KG — Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) September 24, 2017 The inaugural Laver Cup succeeded in its most important task – creating a competitive environment.  The tennis was not a hit and giggle spectacle.  Players were invested in the matches and supported one another from the bench.  There were certain nice touches: The…

St. Petersburg 2017: Championship Prediction

[3] Fabio Fognini (ITA) vs. Damir Dzumhur (BIH) Fognini had a tumultuous US Open showing.  He rallied to win his semifinal match and is left with a very winnable championship match.  I find Fognini hard to predict because his effort level can be questionable at times.  Still, I think his shotmaking skills and momentum from the semifinal…

Metz 2017: Championship Prediction

[Q] Peter Gojowczyk (GER) vs. [7] Benoit Paire (FRA) This has been a huge week for the qualifier.  Still, Paire playing on home soil is the odds on favorite to win the match.  Paire is sporting a lumberjack beard, but if he keeps winning there should be no reason to abandon the trend until it hits Neanderthal proportion….

St. Petersburg 2017: Semifinal Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD [8] Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) vs Damir Dzumhur (BIH) – This should be a fun match, but I think the seeded player advances in 2 close sets. [1] Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) vs [3] Fabio Fognini (ITA) – This is a tough match to call. Roberto Bautista Agut is the more steady player and dogged competitor.  Fabio Fognini is the better…

Metz 2017: Semifinal Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD [5] Mischa Zverev (GER) vs [Q] Peter Gojowczyk (GER) H2H – Zverev should win so long as he can get to the net.  He also may want to grab some headlines while his brother is off playing the Laver Cup. [7] Benoit Paire (FRA) vs Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) – Paire is likely to win, but this is a huge opportunity for the Georgian.

Laver Cup Poll

How interested are you in the Laver Cup? — Dan Martin (@DanMartinTennis) September 22, 2017 Here’s @RogerFederer‘s take on the opening day’s #LaverCup play. #TeamEurope pic.twitter.com/dduRF4wlsa — Laver Cup (@LaverCup) September 22, 2017 My opinion is that it is a good idea, but this spot on the tennis calendar makes little sense to me.  It…