WTA Miami: March 27, 2014 Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD My WTA picks were perfect yesterday after my terrible WTA Indian Wells picks. Serena Williams (1) vs. Maria Sharapova (4) – Serena loves Miami.  Miami loves Serena. Maria is in theory due for a win over Serena, but I think Serena is in clear control of this rivalry. Na Li (2) vs. Dominika Cibulkova (10) –  This…

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Masters Miami: March 27, 2014 ATP Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD Nishikori’s win was not a total shock, but it does send Roger into the clay court season only picking up 216 points in Miami rather than the 360 or more he would have added had he reached the semifinal round.  That could be important for Wimbledon and French Open seeding. Rafael…

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Tennis Analogs for NCAA Sweet 16 Teams

As a Kentucky native, I grew up loving basketball.  When my Skyhook was not matched with a 7’2″ frame, I began to drift toward other sports.  In 1985 at 9 years of age, I saw Boris Becker win Wimbledon.  I was hooked.  To be able to combine ATP Tennis with the NCAA Sweet 16 is…

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Coaching Tennis Benefits One’s Play

I coached high school tennis in 2003 and 2004.  I returned to coaching as an assistant coach at an elite program in Kentucky in 2013 and am having a successful campaign as JV coach this year as well.  Coaching is a rewarding experience for a teacher because the threshold for getting a young person’s attention…

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WTA Miami: March 26, 2014 Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD My WTA predictions at Indian Wells were dismal.  I can only hide behind my pinched nerve so long though as I wade back into two matches that could easily go either way. Na Li (2) vs. Caroline Wozniacki (11) – The Dane could easily win this match.  She is a very fit athlete who…

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Masters Miami: March 26, 2014 ATP Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD Yesterday I was 7-1 in my picks so I hope to keep the momentum going Quarterfinal Round Novak Djokovic (2) vs. Andy Murray (6) – Their first sanctioned meeting since Murray won WImbledon last year.  These two posses the best two-handed backhands on tour.  They are the two best pure returners.  They are two…

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Masters Miami: March 25, 2014 Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD This is a big day and a lot of great matches are there for tennis fans to watch Fourth Round Milos Raonic (12) vs. Benjamin Becker – Becker could win if Milos is error probe, but the match is on the Canadian’s racquet.   Rafael Nadal (1) vs. Fabio Fognini (14) –…

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Masters Miami Predictions: March 24, 2014

Predicted Winners in BOLD Milos Raonic (12) vs. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez – This is no sure thing, I think Raonic wins.  He likes the surface in Miami and that means a lot. Alexandr Dolgopolov (22) vs. Dusan Lajovic – Dolgopolov has been strong as of late. Tomas Berdych (7) vs. Joao Sousa – Cash the Big Czech for at…

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Tennis Power Ranking 2014: Indian Wells Nole on a Role?

Third Tennis Power Ranking 2014 Masters 1000 events always lead to movement Rafael Nadal – Nadal will remain number at least through the conclusion of Miami.  Those who over analyze things might look at a loss to Wawrinka, losing a set and saving match points versus Andujar on clay, losing a set to Stepanek, and then…

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Indian Wells 2014 Final Prediction: Djokovic vs. Federer

Novak Djokovic (2) vs. Roger Federer (7) The head-to-head between these two champions stands at 17-15 in favor of Federer.  Each man has produced some instant classic tennis when playing the other.  Federer’s smash lob versus Nole at the 2008 US Open stands out as moment in my memory.  Nole’s 2008 Australian Open semifinal demolition of Federer was…

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