How did Novak muster the self-confidence to change the Big 2 into the Big 3 despite having a combined 2-9 record versus Federer and Nadal in majors?
Author: tennisabides
French Open 2021: Men’s Singles Final Prediction – Djokovic vs. Tsitsipas
I pretty much agree with both my tweet (shocking!) and with Howard Bryant. On Friday, I told someone, “If Tsitsipas serves well, hits spots that set him up well. He has a 40-45% chance of winning. If he doesn’t serve well, I think he has less than a 10% chance of winning.” I would add…
Chess and Tennis: Chess Can Be Good for Your Tennis Game
David Foster Wallace’s Infinite Jest spends a few pages describing tennis as a hybrid of chess and boxing. Reading this led me to thinking about Ivan Ljubicic being a strong chess player and Boris Becker complimenting world #1 Novak Djokovic’s chess acumen. This might deserve more investigation. Uniquely Qualified? I’ve been playing tennis since 1985…
French Open 2021: The 58th Meeting between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal – Prediction
How often does the world #1 get to enter a match with many people thinking he has no chance to win? If he loses in 3 or 4 sets, no one is going to think much of it because it is Rafa in Rafa’s house.
French Open 2021: Tsitsipas vs. Zverev Prediction
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. Alexander Zverev This match brings the 2020 US Open runner-up into contact with a man who has reached his 3rd consecutive major semifinal. Neither, will be favored in the final, but both players are formidable. Both also played well in the tune-up season with Tsitsipas grabbing a Monte Carlo title and Barcelona…
French Open 2021: June 6th Women’s and Men’s Singles Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD Court Philippe CHATRIER (Noon start) [15] Victoria AZARENKA (BLR) vs [31] Anastasia PAVLYUCHENKOVA (RUS) – Vika has played some of her best clay court tennis in 2021. If that trend continues, Vika should win. [5] Stefanos TSITSIPAS (GRE) vs [12] Pablo CARRENO BUSTA (ESP) – Tsitsipas put together a great clay court season heading into the French Open. This…
Roland Garros 2021: May 31st Men’s Singles Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD Court Philippe CHATRIER [2] Daniil MEDVEDEV (RUS) vs Alexander BUBLIK (KAZ) – I don’t think the #2 seed will last long at Roland Garros. It might be a stretch to have him winning this match. Clay is not his thing (yet if ever). [8] Roger FEDERER (SUI) vs Denis ISTOMIN (UZB) – This feels…
Roland Garros 2021: May 31st Women’s Singles Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD Court Philippe CHATRIER [8] Iga SWIATEK (POL) vs Kaja JUVAN (SLO) – Swiatek’s forehand is one of the best things in tennis. She could make a strong run at repeating as champion. [7] Serena WILLIAMS (USA) vs Irina-Camelia BEGU (ROU) – I like Serena draw in general, but this is a pretty rough first…
Roland Garros 2021: May 30th Women’s Singles Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD COURT PHILIPPE-CHATRIER (11 a.m. start – 5 a.m. EDT) [2] Naomi OSAKA (JPN) vs. Patricia Maria TIG (ROU) – I don’t think Osaka makes it to week two, but she should win a round or two. [15] Victoria AZARENKA (BLR) vs. Svetlana KUZNETSOVA (RUS) – Two major winners facing off in the 1st round should…
Roland Garros 2021: May 30th Men’s Singles Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD COURT PHILIPPE-CHATRIER [4] Dominic THIEM (AUT) vs. Pablo ANDUJAR (ESP) – Andujar beat Federer in Geneva and is a a rugged veteran. Still, Thiem should overcome his struggles and win in 3 or 4 sets unless his dip is a really deep dip. [5] Stefanos TSITSIPAS (GRE) vs. Jérémy Chardy (FRA) – Tsitsipas…
Tennis Abides: Dan Martin on Tennis and Life 