Nadal when asked if he misses playing against Djokovic: “It’s better to not play him.” — Ricky Dimon (@Dimonator) May 19, 2018 Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will square-off for the 51st time tomorrow. That alone is noteworthy, but when one considers how tightly meshed their careers have been, especially since early 2011, it…
Category: Rome
2015 Power Ranking: Rome – Novak Crosses the Rubicon
2015 Power Ranking #6: Novak Abolishes the Roman Republic Novak Djokovic – Novak looked a little out of sorts in his first 3 matches in Rome. He then won four straight sets versus David Ferrer and Roger Federer to enter Paris with a ton of momentum. Will he complete his career grand slam and win…
Masters Rome 2015: Championship Prediction – #1 Djokovic vs. #2 Federer
[1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs [2] Roger Federer (SUI) What can be said? #1 vs. #2 in the last big event prior to Roland Garros. Federer won the French Open in 2009, but has been where Novak is as a dominant #1 missing one big trophy. Djokovic knows Federer can gum up his clay court…
Rome 2015: Sharapova vs. Suarez Navarro – Championship Prediction
[3] Maria Sharapova (RUS) vs [10] Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP) I think CSN has a chance. As I keep mentioning, her one-handed backhand comes at a different angle when she hits topspin. She also can slice more easily and effectively than most. WTA players do not see a lot of one-handed backhands so this helps CSN….
Masters Rome 2015: ATP Semifinal Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD [1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs [7] David Ferrer (ESP) H2H – Novak has a decided advantage heading into this match. He has not dominated any opponents in Rome to this point. Every match has seen Nole lose a set. That makes me think Novak may be vulnerable especially if his focus is exclusively on…
Rome 2015: WTA Semifinal Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD [2] Simona Halep (ROU) vs [10] Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP) – Simona is playing quite well. I think we are heading toward a French Open rematch. CSN can force different angles on an opponent. I still like Simona to hustle her way to a championship showdown. Sharapova won the always melodious match-up…
Masters Rome 2015: May 15th ATP Quarterfinal Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD This Day Has it All: The Big 3, The Big Czech, Kei, Ferrer, The Swiss #2, and The Shire’s Davis Cup Hope [2] Roger Federer (SUI) vs [6] Tomas Berdych (CZE) – I am tempted to take Berdych as he has been quite solid this clay court season while Federer has lost…
Rome 2015: May 15th WTA Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWN4vFuSYas] [2] Simona Halep (ROU) vs [Q] Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU) – The Battle for Bucharest should go to the the #1 Romanian. Halep seems to be in good form. [3] Maria Sharapova (RUS) vs Victoria Azarenka (BLR) – Vika tends to have her best success vs. Sharapova on hard courts. On…
Masters Rome 2015: Partial ATP Predictions for May 14th
Predicted Winners in BOLD Djokovic’s Economy of Motion is One Reason He is #1 [2] Roger Federer (SUI) vs [15] Kevin Anderson (RSA) – Anderson’s serve could bother Roger as he did not return Kyrgios very well last week. However, Anderson is not a classic clay court player and that will probably be to Roger’s advantage…
Rome 2015: Partial May 14th WTA Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD Victoria Azarenka (BLR) vs. Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU) – Vika’s clay court game seems to be in better shape than most years. More Please [1] Serena Williams (USA) vs. [Q] Christina McHale (USA) – I love McHale’s demeanor on court, and she has a solid game. There are times that is just…
Tennis Abides: Dan Martin on Tennis and Life 