Bercy 2013 Semifinal Predictions: Djokovic v. Federer & Nadal v. Ferrer

The Masters 1000 event in Paris is always good, but having all 8 World Tour Finals participants in the quarterfinal round was something.  Here are my picks: 2 Novak Djokovic vs. 5 Roger Federer Federer has played well to get to this point.  Beating Kevin Anderson, Phillipp Kohlschreiber and Juan Martin del Potro in succession…

Tennis Power Ranking 2013: Shanghai

Power Ranking 2013 #13 1.  Rafael Nadal – I said Rafa had locked up the #1 slot on my Power Ranking for 2013 after the US Open.  If Nole wins out, I will have to revise that pronouncement.  Rafa has not done anything wrong since the US Open ended, but this time of year has…

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…

Tennis Power Ranking 2013: Mallorcan Conquistador

Power Ranking 2013 #12 A lot of movement after 2013’s FInal Grand Slam 1.  Rafael Nadal – What can be said.  He missed the Australian Open and lost at the first round at Wimbledon.  Heck, Rafa has lost 2 clay court matches this year.  All of that is true, and Rafa has locked up the…

US Open 2013: Day 8 Men’s Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD Fourth Round Rafael Nadal (2) vs. Philipp Kohlschreiber (22) – I will not be shocked if Kohlschreiber is able to at times push Nadal today.  However, given Rafa’s current form and the 3 out of 5 set format, I see no real possibility of an upset. David Ferrer (4) vs. Janko Tipsarevic (18) – I am tempted…

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 4 Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD Second Round Roger Federer (7) vs. Carlos Berlocq – Federer should win, but we can all hope for an entertaining match. Berlocq has delivered memories in New York Dmitry Tursunov (32) vs. Guillaume Rufin – I like Tursunov a lot, but I don’t think he’s going deep for some reason. Milos Raonic (10) vs. Pablo Andujar – The semifinalist from…

US Open 2013: Day 1 Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD First Round Rafael Nadal (2) vs. Ryan Harrison – Harrison has had some tough draws. Jan-Lennard Struff vs. Guillaume Rufin Rhyne Williams vs. Nikolay Davydenko – Davydenko has been playing better recently. David Ferrer (4) vs. Nuick Kyrgios – I would not say upset alert, but Ferrer has not seemed like himself as of…

US Open Draw Analysis

I.  Djokovic’s Quarter: Novak Djokovic has a reasonable path to the quarterfinal round.  He could face some resistance in the 3rd round from Grigor Dimitrov and his first round match is not easy, but this is a good draw for Nole to add confidence during the first week of the event.  2009 US Open champion Juan…