Roger Federer and the Grass Court Season

2013 Has Not Been a Great Season Roger Federer has posted a Grand Slam semifinal and quarterfinal finish, along with a runner-up finish in Rome and decent showings in Dubai and Indian Wells.  That may add up to a top 10 level of play (especially given that Federer is 9-2 in majors in 2013), but…

French Open Predictions: Nadal vs. Wawrinka & Djokovic vs. Haas

Predicted Winners in BOLD 1 Novak Djokovic vs. 12 Tommy Haas My picks for the other quarterfinal matches were not good.  I hope to bounce back.  This match is the harder one to pick as Haas has had some success vs. Djokovic (i.e. Miami this year, Halle and Wimbledon in 2009).  Djokovic is also playing with a heavy…

French Open Predictions: Federer vs. Tsonga & Robredo vs. Ferrer

Predicted Winners in BOLD 2 Roger Federer vs. 6 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Roger Federer will have to play at a higher level than he did versus Gilles Simon to advance.  Also, if Federer’s ankle is bothering him, he is unlikely to advance.  Federer will benefit from Tsonga’s aggressive style in that he will not have a…

And then there were 8: Quarterfinals at Roland Garros

Note: I know going AWOL for the first week of a Grand Slam is a bad idea for a tennis website.  My wife and I welcomed our 3rd child into the world right as Roland Garros 2013 was commencing.  All are well, but I have been a little distracted. Sentimental Picks There are a lot…

French Open Memories: Guga

South American Renaissance Gustavo Kuerten was not expected to win the 1997 French Open, but he went through accomplished champions and clay court powers in the process.  Kuerten beat fifth seeded and 1995 French Open champion Thomas Muster in the round of 32.  He beat Andrei Medvedev in the round of 16.  He beat defending…

Nadal & Federer’s 30th Match: Prediction

Federer vs. Nadal 30 In 2006, these two men staged one of the best matches of their rivalry in Rome.  Nadal prevailed in 5 electrifying sets.  In 2013, the two meet again in Rome in the championship match.  They have played enough times that we roughly know what to expect.  Federer will need to serve…

Masters Rome: Semifinal Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD Women’s Semifinal Matches 1Serena Williams  vs. Simona Halep – I am not sure I need to explain anything about this prediction. 3Victoria Azarenka vs. 7Sara Errani – Based on clay court form, I’d take Errani, but I think the 2013 Australian Open champion and the World #1 are on a collision course.  Azarenka in 2…