1. Serena Williams is adding to her legacy. She avenged a one-sided round robin loss with a one-sided championship win over Simona Halep. Serena suffered lapses more frequently than one might guess in 2014, but if she repeats her 2014 performance in 2015, her GOAT resume will rise in terms of slams, time at #1…
Tag: Andy Murray
Valencia 2014: Semifinal Predictions
David Ferrer vs. Andy Murray With Rafa’s withdrawal from London, both men must feel good about their chances to be in the final 8. Still, this is the 3rd consecutive week they have met in an event. The winner will be much closer to punching his ticket to the World Tour Finals. Murray has won…
Predictions for Moscow, Stockholm, and Vienna Championship Matches
Kremlin Cup Final – Roberto Bautista Agut vs. Marin Cilic Bautista Agut has played quite well in 2014 and is in 14th place in the year long points race. Marin Cilic had been similarly solid in 2014 prior to his dominating US Open title run. Cilic reaching the final in Moscow makes me think some…
Tennis Channel on Rafael Nadal, Ana Ivanovic, and Novak Djokovic
This was pretty good
Tennis Power Ranking 2014: Roger Resurgent in Shanghai
Novak Djokovic – Nole won Beijing and reached the semifinal round in Shanghai. He has played well enough to make it likely that he finishes 2014 ranked #1. We’ve yet to see Nole hit a dominant streak since Wimbledon, but he’s playing well enough to stay #1. Roger Federer – Roger owns 4 titles in…
US Open 2014: Wawrinka-Nishikori & Djokovic-Murray Predictions
And here we go … Stan Wawrinka (SUI) [3] vs. Kei Nishikori (JPN) [10] If this is the undercard match, it is a great undercard. Nishikori played well in Melbourne and in Miami looked like a man ready to breakthrough before he withdrew. In Madrid, he had Nadal on the ropes until health failed him. If Nishikori…
US Open 2014: Quick Hits – Murray is Back
2011 Champ vs. 2012 Champ Book It! Andy Murray looked to be playing a lot closer to his 2012-mid 2013 form than he has for most of 2014. Murray used his movement and return of serve to dig out from break deficits in the 2nd and 3rd set. He applied pressure at the right times…
US Open 2014: Labor Day Men’s Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD 4 Heavy Weight Prize Fights Big Time Matches on Tap Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) [9] vs. Andy Murray (GBR) [8] – Tsonga’s conquest of Toronto and Murray’s first round cramping make this close to a 50-50 match. Murray even gave up a break lead in the 3rd set to let Tsonga off of the hook. I…
US Open 2014: Day 6 Men’s Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD This is a great slate of matches! Tommy Robredo (16) vs. Nick Kyrgios – This is a classic match-up of a very solid, prepared and fit veteran facing a more powerful and talented young player. Kyrgios’ firepower could overwhelm Robredo, but if fitness becomes a factor I think the match swings to…
US Open 2014: Day 4 Men’s Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD 8 A. Murray vs. M. Bachinger – Murray would like a quick win to put any concerns about cramping further behind him. 31 F. Verdasco vs. A. Kuznetsov – Verdasco is fit and had a day of rest, but I think round 1 probably took something out of him and Kuznetsov is a…
Tennis Abides: Dan Martin on Tennis and Life 