Novak Djokovic – Nole won Beijing and reached the semifinal round in Shanghai. He has played well enough to make it likely that he finishes 2014 ranked #1. We’ve yet to see Nole hit a dominant streak since Wimbledon, but he’s playing well enough to stay #1. Roger Federer – Roger owns 4 titles in…
Category: Novak Djokovic
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…
Tennis Power Ranking 2014: US Open and Marin Cilic’s Rise
Novak Djokovic – Nole stays at #1, but his play in Toronto, Cincinnati and to a lesser extent New York leave some questions. Novak did not handle the hot and humid conditions well in New York. He struggled with the heat late in the Kohlschreiber match and against Nishikori who had played 10 sets in…
US Open 2014: Djokovic vs. Nishikori Prediction
I have to admit that Novak Djokovic vs. Andy Murray is my favorite match-up among the Big 4. I really enjoyed their quarterfinal match. Novak has looked nothing like the player who went 2-2 and won only 4 of 10 sets played after Wimbledon. He looks sharp and delivered a pretty strong message in beating…
US Open 2014: Wawrinka-Nishikori & Djokovic-Murray Predictions
And here we go … Stan Wawrinka (SUI) [3] vs. Kei Nishikori (JPN) [10] If this is the undercard match, it is a great undercard. Nishikori played well in Melbourne and in Miami looked like a man ready to breakthrough before he withdrew. In Madrid, he had Nadal on the ropes until health failed him. If Nishikori…
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: Labor Day Men’s Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD 4 Heavy Weight Prize Fights Big Time Matches on Tap Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) [9] vs. Andy Murray (GBR) [8] – Tsonga’s conquest of Toronto and Murray’s first round cramping make this close to a 50-50 match. Murray even gave up a break lead in the 3rd set to let Tsonga off of the hook. I…
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: Day 4 Men’s Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD 8 A. Murray vs. M. Bachinger – Murray would like a quick win to put any concerns about cramping further behind him. 31 F. Verdasco vs. A. Kuznetsov – Verdasco is fit and had a day of rest, but I think round 1 probably took something out of him and Kuznetsov is a…
US Open 2014: Day 1 Men’s Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD A Great Slate of Day Matches If you have tickets, they are truly valuable, and I envy you. Night Session Predictions at the Bottom 16 T. Robredo vs. E. Roger-Vasselin – This should be a good match, but Robredo’s fitness level makes him hard to beat in three out of five…
Tennis Abides: Dan Martin on Tennis and Life 