Australian Open 2018: Day 3 Women’s Singles Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD [4] Elina Svitolina (UKR) vs. Katerina Siniakova (CZE) – I could see one set being close, but chalk advances. [2] Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) vs. Jana Fett (CRO) – Woz in Oz – somehow I have to come up with a tag line here. [23] Daria Gavrilova (AUS) vs. Elise Mertens (BEL) – The young…

Australian Open 2018: Day 2 Men’s Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD [4] Alexander Zverev (GER) vs. Thomas Fabbiano (ITA) – The big man is seeded 4th and capable of hammering his way to a title.  Someone has to step up at some point from the younger tiers of players.  Zverev is as good of a pick as any among the younger players at…

Australian Open 2018: Day 2 Women’s Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD [6] Karolina Pliskova (CZE) vs. Veronica Cepede Royg (PAR) – Pliskova has all of the qualities of a Grand Slam Champion, can being seeded 6th help her cause? [1] Simona Halep (ROU) vs. [WC] Destanee Aiava (AUS) – Halep has handled the #1 ranking reasonably well, but a 1st major would give her…

Australian Open 2018: Day 1 Men’s Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD [3] Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) vs. [Q] Dennis Novak (AUT) – How will Dimitrov deal with increased expectations?  I am not sure, but he should win this match. [1] Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs. Victor Estrella Burgos (DOM) – Rafa has a very workable draw Down Under. [16] John Isner (USA) vs. Matthew Ebden (AUS) –…

Australian Open 2018: Day 1 Women’s Singles Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD [7] Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) vs. Francesca Schiavone (ITA) – This is not the easiest draw.  Each player has won Roland Garros.  Still, Ostapenko should win. [5] Venus Williams (USA) vs. Belinda Bencic (SUI) – Another interesting draw, but I think Venus’ solid 2017 earns her the benefit of the doubt. [23] Daria Gavrilova (AUS)…

Pancho Segura’s Wise Words on Tennis

I came across this piece from Peter Bodo regarding the late, great, Pancho Segura.  This quote from Segura stood out to me as a great outlook for anyone playing tennis at any level: “It doesn’t take more than a racket and a heart to play this game,” he told ESPN in 2009. “It’s a great…