Power Ranking 2016: Monte Carlo and Barcelona have Rafa Rising

Our Long International Nightmare is Over: Tennis Abides is Back Sorry this is a bit later than usual.  Putting the finishing touches on my dissertation put my tennis writing on the back burner.  Still, the 3rd Masters 1000 event of 2016 along with a 500 level event in Spain deserve some attention prior to the…

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Monte Carlo 2016: Nadal vs. Monfils Championship Prediction

Rafael Nadal vs. Gael Monfils Gael Monfils was not the expected finalist, but his play at Masters Miami was excellent so he is in a nice spot in terms of playing strong tennis on two different surfaces.  Monfils also made a quarterfinal appearance in Melbourne and was a runner-up in Rotterdam earlier this year.  Monfils…

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Monte Carlo 2016: April 11th Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD Alexander Zverev (GER) vs. [WC] Andrey Rublev (RUS) H2H – This should be fun, but Zverev is very solid. [13] Gael Monfils (FRA) vs. Gilles Muller (LUX) H2H – Again this should be fun, but Gael should win if he plays along the lines of how he played in Miami. [9] Richard Gasquet…

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Power Ranking 2016: Djokovic Owns Miami

Tennis Power Ranking 2016 #3: Miami Novak Djokovic Still Dominates Tennis Novak Djokovic – Novak Djokovic is occupying a niche rarely occupied in any sport. He is far and away better than every other practitioner of his sport right now. Milos Raonic – Milos’ play in the first portion of 2016 places him in a distant…

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Miami 2016: Novak Djokovic vs. Kei Nishikori Championship Prediction

Novak Djokovic vs. Kei Nishikori It is a testament to how dominant Novak is that I was wondering what do I even write.  Kei Nishikori has an excellent return of serve, moves well, can impose his court positioning on his opponent, and can hit with a lot of pace/precision.  Of course, Kei has a chance,…

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Miami Open 2016: Nick Kyrgios vs. Kei Nishikori

Will talent wait its turn or jump in line? Reclaiming his Promise Versus Staking a Claim Kei Nishikori had a breakout moment in 2014.  He had beaten Roger Federer in Miami and pushed Nadal hard in Madrid in 2014.  However, his 4 set US Open semifinal win over Novak Djokovic had many seeing Nishikori as…

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Miami Open 2016: Novak Djokovic vs. David Goffin Prediction

We are in for a treat [1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. [15] David Goffin (BEL)  H2H Novak Djokovic has dominated tennis since January 1, 2015.  David Goffin has made impressive strides on tour over the past 52 weeks.  This sets the stage for a giant of the game versus and emerging giant killer.  I expect…

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Miami Open 2016: WTA Semifinal Predictions

One Step Away: The First Match Will Produce an Unexpected Finalist while the Second Will Tell us Who Won the 1st Phase of 2016 on the WTA Tour   [15] Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) vs. [19] Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) Both players have defied the odds in reaching the semifinal round.  There is a lot to like…

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Miami Open 2016: March 31st ATP Quarterfinal Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD [6] Kei Nishikori (JPN) vs. [16] Gael Monfils (FRA) H2H – This is a fascinating match-up that I can’t quite predict.  Gael is willing to cede court positioning and that should benefit Kei.  However, Gael has played quite well in Miami and has the bigger serve so he could dictate the outcome of…

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