Masters Cincinnati 2014: Day 1 ATP Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD [16] Tommy Robredo (ESP) vs [WC] Jack Sock (USA) H2H – Sock could win this match, but I think if Robredo makes this a test of fitness he’s in good shape to win. Gael Monfils (FRA) vs Federico Delbonis (ARG) H2H – Picking Monfils is always risky, but I think he wins this…

Tennis Abides Update

Dear Readers, Tennis Abides just passed its 3rd anniversary.  Since the start of the 2013 Cincinnati event through the US Open, readership has jumped.  I have also upgraded the look of the site.  I think all of these changes have been for the positive.  Beyond that, the site just passed a milestone in terms of…

US Open 2013: Serena Williams vs. Victoria Azarenka Prediction

1 Serena Williams vs. 2 Victoria Azarenka This was so much fun. Why not do it again? I just wrote a column about Serena Williams being the third greatest female singles player of all time who is quite likely to reach #2 or higher.  One might expect my prediction to be a coronation for Serena….

US Open 2013: Na Li vs. Serena Williams Prediction

Expect a similar match Na Li is one of the few players in the draw who could challenge Serena Williams.  Li has twice been a runner-up at the Australian Open so she has hard court successes in her resume.  She also lost a tight and exciting match to Williams at Cincinnati 4 weeks ago 7-5,…

US Open 2013: Day 9 Men’s Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD Fourth Round Novak Djokovic (1) vs. Marcel Granollers – Nole has to gear up if he is going to try to reach the final and then face Rafa.  Watch out Marcel. Mikhail Youzhny (21) vs. Lleyton Hewitt – If Youzhny plays as he did vs. Haas, he wins this match.  I am picking on sentiment here, but…

US Open 2013: Day 7 Women’s Predictions

Predicted Winner in BOLD Fourth Round Serena Williams (1) vs. Sloane Stephens (15) – This could be a good match, but I think Serena has to be the pick regardless of Melbourne. Agnieszka Radwanska (3) vs. Ekaterina Makarova (24) – Radwanska lacks power and could get pushed around for awhile, but I think she wins in straight sets. Na Li (5) vs. Jelena…

Goodbye to James Blake

The first time attending i was fortunate enough to attend a tennis tournament with press credentials was in 2008 at the Indianapolis Hard Court Championships.  I covered the semifinal and final rounds.  My first match was Gilles Simon d. Sam Querrey 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.  This was a great match to start my press career with…

Interview with Venus Williams

It is a little bit later than I had hoped, but here is the link to my time in a press conference with Venus Williams on August 12, 2013.  I have been in press conferences with multiple top 10 players and players who have won slams, but asking questions of a 5 time Wimbledon champion…

US Open 2013: Day 6 Men’s Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD Third RoundTommy Robredo (19) vs. Daniel Evans – Robredo’s return has been a feel good story in 2013. David Ferrer (4) vs. Mikhail Kukushkin – Ferrer came into the event in poor form, but his draw might be the cure for the blues.   Janko Tipsarevic (18) vs. Jack Sock – I am taking Sock in a 50-50(ish) match.  …

US Open 2013: Day 3 Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD First Round David Goffin vs. Alexandr Dolgopolov – I am taking Goffin in an extremely interesting match.  This match should have a lot of fun rallies. Benoit Paire (24) vs. Alex Bogomolov Jr. – Paire is playing quite well in 2013. Tim Smyczek vs. James Duckworth Kevin Anderson (17) vs. Daniel Brands – This will come down to who can impose his…