Australian Open 2017: Predicted Men’s Quarterfinals

Quarter 1 Andy Murray vs. Roger Federer Andy Murray ended 2016 on an incredible run.  Murray has reached the Australian Open final 5 times between 2010-2016.  This surface suits his game perfectly, but unfortunately for Murray this surface also suits Novak Djokovic’s game perfectly.  I am highly confident that Murray will reach the final 8. …

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Australian Open 2017: Men’s Pulse Before the Draw

Tier 1 – The 3 Early Champions It is amazing that the ATP Tour already has 3 different players holding singles trophies in 2017.  Each of those 3 early champions has to be entering the Australian Open feeling good, but who feels the best? Novak Djokovic’s win at Qatar, including two battles that went three sets,…

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Australian Open 1992 – My Favorite Final of the 1990s

I have been pressed for time quite a bit in recent weeks, but with the Australian Open starting next week I thankfully do again have more time to devote to tennis.  My favorite Australian Open final ever was the 2012 marathon between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.  This match also stands out to me because…

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Tennis Abides: 2016 Year End Awards

Women’s Player of the Year: Angelique Kerber Kerber’s award is built upon two tent poles, namely her Australian and US Open titles. Yet, her Wimbledon runner-up finish and silver medal in Rio demonstrated Kerber’s capacity to sting together multiple quality results.  That is a key for being number one.  Her Cincinnati and Tour Championship runner-up…

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Final Power Ranking for 2016: Murray Surges to End the Year

Final Power Ranking for 2016 Andy Murray – Tune-in tomorrow to see who my player of the year for men is, but my Power Ranking’s unscientific approach is to weight to recent results the most.  Murray won every tournament match he played after the US Open including a win over Novak Djokovic to close the World…

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The Impact of 2016 on Hall of Fame Candidacies

Already In Entering 2016 Serena Williams, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Venus Williams, and Maria Sharapova entered 2016 with the status that only something devastating could prevent their eventual enshrinement. Novak’s Nole Slam & Masters 1000 hauls, Serena’s 22nd major, Rafa’s gold medal in doubles, and Venus’ silver medal in mixed doubles all added…

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The 10 Best Tennis Stories of 2016

Novak Djokovic Reigns at all 4 Majors – Don’t expect to see this happen again.  It might happen again, but no male player had held all 4 major trophies simultaneously since 1969.  Steffi Graf held all 4 majors at the end of 1988 and after the 1989 Australian Open.  Serena Williams twice held all 4 majors…

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