World Tour Finals 2014: Federer vs. Raonic Prediction

Roger Federer vs. Milos Raonic This match is more interesting than I would have imagined prior to Paris.  Milos beat Roger for the first time in their most recent meeting.  At Cincinnati and Wimbledon, Federer dominated Milos.  I think the match-up favors Roger in almost every category with the exceptions of service prowess and brute…

Valencia 2014: Semifinal Predictions

David Ferrer vs. Andy Murray With Rafa’s withdrawal from London, both men must feel good about their chances to be in the final 8.  Still, this is the 3rd consecutive week they have met in an event.  The winner will be much closer to punching his ticket to the World Tour Finals.  Murray has won…

Basel 2014: Semifinal Predictions

Roger Federer vs. Ivo Karlovic Roger is on his home turf and facing the Big Man with a lot of momentum on his side.  Ivo could be virtually unbreakable indoors.  Roger has won 9 consecutive tiebreaks.  Roger is better across the board, but Ivo has a puncher’s chance with his massive serve.  Both players should…

Predictions for Moscow, Stockholm, and Vienna Championship Matches

Kremlin Cup Final – Roberto Bautista Agut vs. Marin Cilic  Bautista Agut has played quite well in 2014 and is in 14th place in the year long points race.  Marin Cilic had been similarly solid in 2014 prior to his dominating US Open title run.  Cilic reaching the final in Moscow makes me think some…

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: Marin Cilic vs. Kei Nishikori Championship Prediction

Odds If someone looked at the draw and picked this final, I want to have you pick some lottery numbers for me.  Kei Nishikori had established himself as a dangerous if fragile player in 2014 after being seen largely as a potentially good player.  Kei beat Roger Federer in the Miami quarterfinal round only to…

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: Federer vs. Cilic Prediction

If Federer is sharp, expect something like this.  If Fed plays like he did in the quarters, expect Cilic to win. Marin Cilic enters this US Open semifinal as a guy who has to be considered a dark horse to win the US Open. He lost to Novak Djokovic in 5 sets at Wimbledon and…