Roger Federer’s 4th title and 9th final of 2014 prove that 2013 is a thing of the past. Roger did not win a Grand Slam in 2014, but his form, health and demeanor tell me he is someone to watch in 2015. At the end of 2013, I thought 2015 might be his swan song….
Category: Gilles Simon
Shanghai Championship Prediction: Federer vs. Simon
Roger Federer has had a great bounce-back year in 2014. His play in 2013 looked to be the beginning of the end for the all-time Grand Slam leader. With improved health, a new racquet and a great working relationship with Stefan Edberg, Roger Federer finds himself in his 9th tournament final of 2014. Roger is…
Shanghai Semifinal Predictions (Tennis Abides is Back)
Sorry about my hiatus* Novak Djokovic vs. Roger Federer The two leaders in the rankings race for 2014 face-off for the 5th time this year. Nole won their encounters at Wimbledon and Indian Wells. Federer won in Dubai and Monte Carlo. Djokovic has applied a sleeper hold to the race for #1 in 2014 and…
US Open 2014: Day 9 Men’s Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) [7] vs. Gael Monfils (FRA) [20] – I like Dimitrov to win this match, but if Gael wins and Roger wins, Gael will have had some great sparring. Also, Vika singing to Gael has to make it less likely that he advances. Grigor will have to play better than he…
US Open 2014: Day 7 Men’s Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD This is a great slate of matches as one would expect at a slam Grigor Dimitrov (7) vs. David Goffin – Goffin has been impressive in NY. His youthful appearance should not fool anyone. He can play and has a Davydenko style of taking the ball early and robbing time from…
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…
Tennis Masters Canada: Predictions for August 6
Predicted Winners in BOLD Second Round Richard Gasquet (7) vs. Martin Klizan – Kilzan is playing well, but I think Gasquet in Quebec wins this match. Novak Djokovic (1) vs. Florian Mayer – Mayer is a tough opponent, but Novak should win. Kei Nishikori (9) vs. Andreas Seppi – Nishikori could have a big week. First Round Jerzy Janowicz (15) vs. Julien Benneteau – Jerzy could be…
Roger Federer and a Racquet Change
Honest Assessment Roger Federer has had a few stretches in his career in which decline looked to be steep and imminent. 2008 was the first of these patches. Novak Djokovic rolled Roger in the Australian Open semifinal round. Federer was beaten soundly by Mardy Fish in the semifinal round of Indian Wells. Nadal thrashed Federer…
Wimbledon 2013: Day 2 Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD Computer Issues Delayed this Entry so Any Matches Already in-Progress will be Noted First Round Richard Berankis vs. Paul-Henri Mathieu James Duckworth vs. Denis Kudla Already in-progress Roberto Bautista-Agut vs. Teymuraz Gabashvili Alexandr Dolgopolov (26) vs. Gastao Elias – Dolgopolov needs a decent result. Milos Raonic (17) vs. Carlos Berlocq – Milos faces a tricky first round test. Horacio Zeballos vs. Santiago Giraldo Grega Zemlja vs. Michael Russell –…
And then there were 8: Quarterfinals at Roland Garros
Note: I know going AWOL for the first week of a Grand Slam is a bad idea for a tennis website. My wife and I welcomed our 3rd child into the world right as Roland Garros 2013 was commencing. All are well, but I have been a little distracted. Sentimental Picks There are a lot…
Tennis Abides: Dan Martin on Tennis and Life 