Australian Open 2014: Day 8 Men’s Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD Rafael Nadal (ESP) [1] vs. Kei Nishikori (JPN) [16] – After what Nadal did to Monfils, I think it is safe to say he is dialed in at this event.  I think Murray and Nole are his only two true threats. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) [10] vs. Roger Federer (SUI) [6] – After what happened in Paris last year, I…

Australian Open 2014: Day 7 Women’s Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD Serena Williams (USA) [1] vs. Ana Ivanovic (SRB) [14] – This should be a good measuring stick for Ivanovic, but Serena is going to win. Casey Dellacqua (AUS) – Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) [30] – I’m taking the Australian to advance.    Na Li (CHN) [4] vs. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) [22] – I like Na Li to reach the semifinal round. Angelique Kerber (GER) [9] vs. Flavia Pennetta (ITA) [28] –…

Australian Open 2014: Day 7 Men’s Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD Fabio Fognini (ITA) [15] vs. Novak Djokovic (SRB) [2] – Fabio might want to check his flight itinerary.  He is a good player and even more dangerous on clay, but Nole should advance. Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) [8] vs. Tommy Robredo (ESP) [17] – Robredo could reach back-to-back Grand Slam quarterfinal rounds.  I think Stan is the favorite, but both…

Australian Open 2014: Day Six Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD Rafael Nadal (ESP) [1] vs. Gael Monfils (FRA) [25] – Monfils is playing some of the best tennis I have seen in his career.  His runner-up finish in Qatar and wins in Melbourne bode well for his 2014 campaign. Rafael Nadal is going to likely put a stop to this run.  I think Monfils might win…

Australian Open 2014: Day 5 Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD Jeremy Chardy (FRA) [29] vs. David Ferrer (ESP) [3] – I saw Ferrer beat Chardy from court side at the 2009 Cincinnati Masters event.  Ferrer is playing better than he was in 2009 (amazingly) so I will take Ferrer. Denis Istomin (UZB) vs. Novak Djokovic (SRB) [2] – Istomin is a good player, but Nole is going to advance. Tomas…

Australian Open 2104: Day 4 Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD Rafael Nadal (ESP) [1] vs. Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) – Rafa should win with ease. Andy Murray (GBR) [4] vs. Vincent Millot (FRA) – Every set Murray gets under his belt, the closer he is to returning to full form. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) [10] vs. Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) – Bellucci needs a strong showing here or at the French Open this year to recapture…

Australian Open 2014: Day 3 Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD Leonardo Mayer (ARG) vs. Novak Djokovic (SRB) [2] – Mayer is a good player, but the four-time Australian Open champion is not going to lose this one.  Nole advances. Matthew Ebden (AUS) vs. Vasek Pospisil (CAN) [28] – An intriguing match-up, but I like Pospisil’s upside in 2014.  I think a solid start keeps his momentum rolling and his…

Australian Open 2014: Day 2 Predictions

Good On Ya Predicted Winners in BOLD James Duckworth (AUS) vs. Roger Federer (SUI) [6] – With a new racquet it is possible that Fed might spray a lot of errors, but I think he advances here while setting a record for consecutive Grand Slam events played. Andreas Seppi (ITA) [24] vs. Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) – This is not a great draw for either guy,…

Australian Open 2014: Day 1 Predictions

Good On Ya (or something) Predicted Winners in BOLD I will get my women’s pick started a little deeper into the draw Alejandro Gonzalez (COL) vs. David Ferrer (ESP) [3] – The man will win easily or grind his way to a win. Lukas Lacko (SVK) vs. Novak Djokovic (SRB) [2] – Nole has to love his draw even if this first round match…

44 Majors since 1990 by the Numbers: Roland Garros

Prologue Part 1 of this series looked at how Pete Sampras, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have won 44 of the 96 majors held since 1990.  If Rafa, Roger and Pete don’t add any majors in 2014, they will have won 44% of the Grand Slam events held since 1990.  That is a remarkable accomplishment…