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…

The Battle of the Sexes Part 3 – Social and Cultural Relevance

Tennis has had a number of figures involved in key social issues in the 20th and 21st century.  Arthur Ashe’s stance on both Civil Rights and the HIV/AIDS crisis come to mind along with Billie Jean King’s pursuit of equal prize money for women.  Venus Williams has been lauded as the successor to King’s drive…

The Battle of the Sexes Part 2 – Making Sense of the Mother’s Day Massacre

As mentioned previously, Bobby Riggs beat Margaret Court 6-2, 6-1 on Mother’s Day 1973.  Margaret Court won the Australian, French, and US Opens in singles and doubles in 1973.  Billie Jean King beat Bobby Riggs 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 in 1973.  Margaret Court had a career 2-1 head-to-head advantage over Billie Jean King.  Confused? Winning Really…

Davis Cup 2017: France and Belgium Reach the Championship Round

What. A. Win! @David__Goffin completes a stunning 67(4) 64 64 64 win over Nick Kyrgios to force a live 5th! #DavisCup pic.twitter.com/DUHWunvHLw — Davis Cup (@DavisCup) September 17, 2017 The match-up between France and Belgium in November should be fun because I think both countries are invested in the outcome of this tie.  Of course,…

Davis Cup 2017: Day 3 Predictions Australia vs. Belgium

Predicted Winners in BOLD Australia vs. Belgium: Australia Leads 2-1 All Matches in Belgium on Clay David Goffin (Bel) vs. Nick Kyrgios (Aus) Australia needed to win the doubles point as it is likely the underdog in each of these matches.  I think Goffin on clay can weather the power Kyrgios will throw at him….