Australian Open 2015 – Day 2 Women’s Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD [20] Samantha Stosur (AUS) vs. Monica Niculescu (ROU) – Sam’s ability to deal with pressure has always been a factor, but I think the crowd support helps her today. Shelby Rogers (USA) vs. Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS) [8] Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) vs. Taylor Townsend (USA) – Woz has a chance to build…

Australian Open 2015 – Day 2 Men’s Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD  [4] Stan Wawrinka (SUI) vs. Marsel Ilhan (TUR) – It will be a new sensation for Stan to enter a slam as the champion, but I think he handles this match well. [1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. [Q] Aljaz Bedene (SLO) – Novak is built for this surface.  I expect him…

Australian Open 2015: Day 1 Women’s Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD Picking the Chalk [3] Simona Halep (ROU) vs Karin Knapp (ITA) – Knapp is a solid player who got a bad draw.  Halep did not get any favors here either, but the Romanian should advance. [5] Ana Ivanovic (SRB) vs. [Q] Lucie Hradecka (CZE) [2] Maria Sharapova (RUS) vs [Q] Petra…

Australian Open 2015: Day 1 Men’s Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD Welcome Back as Tennis’ Off-season is Now Over [3] Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) – Rafa’s draw is pretty soft after this match, but I think Rafa is low on confidence and is not yet grooved.  I give Youzhny a 40% chance at the upset despite one of my…

Australian Open 2015 – Women’s Draw: Impressions

Serena has a potentially interesting second round match. I hope Garbine Muguruza shows some of the fight she showed at Roland Garros last year. Azarenka vs. Stephens is a match to circle. Can Petra Kvitoa beat the heat when she plays day matches? Ana Ivanovic and Simona Halep both have to like their chances at…

Australian Open 2015 – Men’s Draw: Impressions

Novak Djokovic got a good draw, but Wawrinka and he could contest an epic semifinal. Roger Federer’s camp likely wanted Nole and Rafa to battle it out, but Rafa has a tricky first round match. Jerzy Janowicz vs. Juan Martin del Potro is my favorite first round match on paper.  Each big man wants to…

Federer Throttles Dimitrov and Reaches First Final of 2015

Roger Federer collected his third career win versus his shadow Grigor Dimitrov.  I am not going to read too much into Dimitov’s one-sided loss, but at 33 Roger Federer is someone Dimitrov should press a bit more than he has to date.  Dimitrov only won 4 games in this match and is now 0-3 (0-6 in…