US Open 2013 Weekend Quick Hits

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have met at every slam except for the US Open.  That seems apt to change as both men are in good to frightening form. Sloane Stephens has a lot going for her in terms of mobility, power etc.  I like her chances to make big strides over then next 18…

2 out of 3 in Men’s Slam Play?

I have seen a number of columns pop up discussing the possibility of switching Grand Slam play to 2 out of 3 sets for men.  Here are two of them: Billie Jean King’s take and Drew Franklin’s take First, I Disagree Having  tournament of 2 out of 3 sets matches with a day off between matches…

US Open 2013: Day 7 Men’s Predictions

Predicted Winners in Bold Third Round Novak Djokovic (1) vs. Joao Sousa – Nole should roll. Tim Smyczek vs. Marcel Granollers – And then there were none … US men are eliminated from the singles draw.  The USTA should be a touch worried about the state of the men’s game. Andy Murray (3) vs. Florian Mayer – The defending champion moves forward. Stanislas Wawrinka (9)…

US Open 2013: Day 7 Women’s Predictions

Predicted Winner in BOLD Fourth Round Serena Williams (1) vs. Sloane Stephens (15) – This could be a good match, but I think Serena has to be the pick regardless of Melbourne. Agnieszka Radwanska (3) vs. Ekaterina Makarova (24) – Radwanska lacks power and could get pushed around for awhile, but I think she wins in straight sets. Na Li (5) vs. Jelena…

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…

Interview with Venus Williams

It is a little bit later than I had hoped, but here is the link to my time in a press conference with Venus Williams on August 12, 2013.  I have been in press conferences with multiple top 10 players and players who have won slams, but asking questions of a 5 time Wimbledon champion…

US Open 2013: Day 6 Men’s Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD Third RoundTommy Robredo (19) vs. Daniel Evans – Robredo’s return has been a feel good story in 2013. David Ferrer (4) vs. Mikhail Kukushkin – Ferrer came into the event in poor form, but his draw might be the cure for the blues.   Janko Tipsarevic (18) vs. Jack Sock – I am taking Sock in a 50-50(ish) match.  …

US Open 2013: Day 6 Women’s Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD Third Round Caroline Wozniacki (6) vs. Camila Giorgi – The Dane is seeded 6th but seems a great distance from her days as the #1 seed. Petra Kvitova (7) vs. Alison Riske – Kvitova had a great chance to win WImbledon for a second time this past July.  I love what her game could be, but she…

US Open 2013: Day 5 Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD Second Round Marcel Granollers vs. Rajeev Ram – Ram’s Samprasesque game has a chance here, but he is not the favorite.  I hope I am wrong about the pride of Indianapolis. Tobias Kamke vs. Denis Istomin – This should be a good match. Kevin Anderson (17) vs. Marcos Baghdatis – I’ll take the big man in 4 sets. Juan Martin…

US Open 2013: Day 4 Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD Second Round Roger Federer (7) vs. Carlos Berlocq – Federer should win, but we can all hope for an entertaining match. Berlocq has delivered memories in New York Dmitry Tursunov (32) vs. Guillaume Rufin – I like Tursunov a lot, but I don’t think he’s going deep for some reason. Milos Raonic (10) vs. Pablo Andujar – The semifinalist from…