Fellow players watch and tweet about Nadal vs. Federer

Originally posted on The Grandstand:
A sampling of Twitter posts made by fellow tennis pros commenting on the Rafael Nadal vs. Roger Federer Cincinnati quarterfinal on Friday night: Break out the popcorn! Federer and Nadal is about to start! And just saw my favorite commentator on ESPN @darren_cahill !!!!! #EpicMatchUp — Monica Puig (@MonicaAce93) August…

Cincinnati Masters Tennis Predictions: August 17, 2013

Predicted Winners in BOLD Semifinals Juan Martin del Potro (7) vs. John Isner – If their match in DC is a template, Isner had better hope the JMDP of sets 2 and 3 does not show up today.  Delpo returned from deep in the court to minimize aces from Isner.  Maybe Isner can adapt to that strategy by…

Cincinnati WTA Predictions: August 17, 2013

Predicted Winners in BOLD Semifinals Serena Williams (1) vs. Na Li (5) – Williams is obviously the favorite based on her form in 2013.  Li is one of the few players who, if on her game, can push Serena outside of her comfort zone with both power and variety.  I’m hoping Na Li is playing well so that…

Cincinnati SF preview and pick: Del Potro vs. Isner

Originally posted on The Grandstand:
John Isner will be back in Cincinnati action one day after stunning top seed Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals. Up next for Isner is a Saturday rematch of the Washington, D.C. final with Juan Martin Del Potro. Juan Martin Del Potro and John Isner will be going head-to-head for the…

Cincinnati SF preview and pick: Nadal vs. Berdych

Originally posted on The Grandstand:
Fresh off wins over Roger Federer and Andy Murray, respectively, Rafael Nadal and Tomas Berdych will face each other on Saturday in the Cincinnati semifinals. The winner will go up against either Juan Martin Del Potro or John Isner for the title. Rafael Nadal and Tomas Berdych will be squaring…

WTA Cincinnati Predictions: August 16, 2013

Predicted Winners in BOLD Quarterfinals Serena Williams (1) vs. Simona Halep – I’ll take Serena. Victoria Azarenka (2) vs. Caroline Wozniacki (10) – Can the Great and Powerful Woz continue her rebound?  I think she pulls off an upset. Roberta Vinci (12) vs. Jelena Jankovic (14) – I think JJ wins a 50-50 match.

Tennis Masters Cincinnati Predictions: August 16, 2013

Predicted Winners in BOLD Quarterfinals Novak Djokovic (1) vs. John Isner – Novak should win this match.  If Isner holds with great frequency he always has a puncher’s chance, but I think Novak’s return game generates at least one break per set. Juan Martin del Potro (7) vs. Dmitry Tursunov – The Russian has earned a lot of computer points that…

Tennis Masters Cincinnati Predictions: August 15, 2013

Predicted Winners in BOLD Third Round Milos Raonic (12) vs. John Isner – This should be a match full of long rallies and multiple service breaks.  This is a 50-50 match that will come down to tiebreaks and maybe one or two service breaks.  I’ll take Isner as Raonic has more or less backed up last week’s result….

Cincinnati WTA Predictions: August 15, 2013

Predicted Winners in BOLD Third Round Agnieszka Radwanska (4) vs. Elena Vesnina _ Radwanska’s game is not typical of the WTA, but she is in the top 5 for a reason. Serena Williams (1) vs. Mona Barthel – Serena FTW Victoria Azarenka (2) vs. Magdalena Rybarikova – Vika needs a strong Summer season. Samantha Stosur (11) vs. Simona Halep – Stosur is playing well for the first…