Davis Cup 2014: Day 3 Analysis and Predictions

I did not post anything about the doubles today because the line-ups could be changed so close to match time and because doubles is a different animal.  The remaining singles matches set Switzerland as 1 win away from a first ever Davis Cup title, but France will likely have 27,000 fans and a winnable set…

Davis Cup Final 2014: Day 1 Thoughts and Predictions

Thoughts I did not write about the dust up between Federer and Wawrinka this past Saturday because it was so minor.  In a team sport, it would not even have registered.  I think the individual nature of tennis made this into a bit of fodder for many tennis sites, but if Boris Becker and Michael…

US Open 2014: Quick Hits – Murray is Back

2011 Champ vs. 2012 Champ Book It! Andy Murray looked to be playing a lot closer to his 2012-mid 2013 form than he has for most of 2014. Murray used his movement and return of serve to dig out from break deficits in the 2nd and 3rd set.  He applied pressure at the right times…

US Open 2014: Day 6 Men’s Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD This is a great slate of matches! Tommy Robredo (16) vs. Nick Kyrgios – This is a classic match-up of a very solid, prepared and fit veteran facing a more powerful and talented young player.  Kyrgios’ firepower could overwhelm Robredo, but if fitness becomes a factor I think the match swings to…

US Open 2014: Men’s Preview and Draw Analysis

Early Thoughts Mats Wilander once roughly said that no one should predict a Grand Slam title for a player until he wins his first because breaking through at a slam is different than winning a 250, 500 or 1000 level event.  I will take a look at the men who have already won major titles. My…

Tennis Power Ranking 2014: Tsonga Turns Toronto into French Canada

Tennis Abides Power Ranking 2014 Ranking #9: Toronto Novak Djokovic – Nole stays at #1, but his win vs. Monfils and loss to Tsonga were not the textbook way to take advantage of Rafa not playing Masters Canada.   Rafael Nadal – Is he healthy?  Will he be healthy in time of the US Open? Roger…

Rogers Cup 2014 Championship Prediction: Federer vs. Tsonga

Roger Federer vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga This should be an excellent match.  Tsonga seems recently rejuvenated and has blasted through three impressive opponents over the past three days.  Over his past three tournaments, Roger Federer won Halle, was runner-up at Wimbledon and is now in the Masters Canada final.  Both guys know the other’s game.  They…

Rogers Cup Toronto 2014 – Semifinal Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD This should be entertaining and seeing how much younger Dimitrov looked in 2011 is making me doubt my pick a lot Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) – Tsonga is on a major roll at the moment. Dimitrov has to feel great saving match points and coming from behind to win…

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…

Del Potro vs. Rafa and Nole vs. Tsonga Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD Juan Martin del Potro vs. Rafael Nadal JMDP won last week in Tokyo and has a longer winning streak than Rafa at the moment.  JMDP has had some historical success versus Rafa.  His height makes some of Nadal’s high bounding spin a liability for the Spaniard.  If JMDP serves bombs and…