2015 Power Ranking: Madrid – Murray’s Clay Feat

2015 Power Ranking #5 – Murray Does Damage on the Dirt Novak Djokovic – Novak has not played since winning Monte Carlo because frankly he didn’t have to.  Will he cross the Rubicon and take Rome? Andy Murray – I can’t move Andy to #1 because of Nole’s stellar 2015, but Murray won Munich and was…

Masters Madrid 2015: Rafael Nadal vs. Andy Murray Championship Prediction

Murray Rising Andy Murray is playing the best clay court tennis of his career.  On Monday, Murray won his first ever clay court title in Germany.  He has backed up this victory with successive wins over Kohlschreiber, Raonic, and Nishikori.  Kei Nishikori is a serious threat on clay, and Murray took him down in straight…

Madrid 2015: ATP Quarterfinal Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD I am still sick and missed predicting the WTA semis – good thing as I would have gotten both wrong [3] Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs [10] Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) H2H – If Grigor wins, panic might be warranted by the Rafa fans.  I don’t think that will happen though. [6] Tomas Berdych (CZE) vs…

Masters Madrid 2015: May 7th ATP Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD I am a bit ill so these are coming later than usual. Manolo Santana (11 a.m. start) [3] Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs Simone Bolelli (ITA) H2H – I like Rafa to advance. [7] David Ferrer (ESP) vs Fernando Verdasco (ESP) H2H – This match should be pretty awesome, but in the end I…

Masters Madrid 2015: May 6th ATP Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD (This is an incredible slate of matches) [3] Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs Steve Johnson (USA) H2H – Johnson is a great story, but not every story has a happy ending. [1] Roger Federer (SUI) vs Nick Kyrgios (AUS) – I could see this going either way as Roger may be pacing himself for Paris….

Munich 2015: Murray vs. Kohlschreiber Prediction

Andy Murray vs. Philipp Kohlschreiber H2H These two produced an instant classic at Roland Garros last year.  I like the contrast in stroke production between two players who use different techniques to produce all of the shots in tennis.  This should be a fun match.  Clay is probably the surface that gives Kohlschreiber the best…

Masters Miami 2015: Andy Murray vs. Tomas Berdych Semifinal Prediction

[3] Andy Murray (GBR) vs [8] Tomas Berdych (CZE) H2H That really didn’t need to happen (are you reading Mirka?) Head games Tomas Berdych hired Andy Murray’s former coach during the offseason.  I am not sure if that or something else was behind the intense exchange in Melbourne.  At any rate, things were at times quite ugly…