Why 22? Well … Novak Djokovic is in firm control of the ATP Tour after ending 2022 and starting 2023 with big wins. Aryna Sabalenka rebuilt her serve and conquered mental hurdles en route to winning this event. The pain of her 2022 US Open semifinal loss seems like a distant memory. Elena Rybakina is…
Tag: Australian Open
All Hail Queen Naomi II and King Novak IX: A Historical Perspective on Australian Open 2021
While the WTA computer does not yet reflect this fact, clear world #1s exist on both the ATP and WTA Tours. Novak Djokovic moved to 9-0 in Australian Open championship matches and grabbed major #18! Novak won his semifinal and final rounds in straight sets after facing tough challenges in rounds 2, 3, 4, and…
Australian Open 2021: Novak Djokovic vs. Daniil Medvedev Championship Prediction
Novak Djokovic vs. Daniil Medvedev Elastic Tennis vs. Amoeba Tennis I watched Novak Djokovic practice in Cincinnati and was taken with how smooth his swings were and what a great economy of motion he had. That was over a decade ago, but Djokovic’s flexibility, defensive skills, ability to take the ball early, his keen strategic…
Australian Open 2021: Naomi Osaka vs. Jennifer Brady Championship Prediction
Naomi Osaka’s career trajectory is quite promising. She is in her 4th major final since Sept. 2018. Even if Osaka loses this match, these results project out to many major finals and titles. Jennifer Brady won the Top Seed Open in Lexington, KY last summer (shameless Kentucky plug from “Kentucky” Dan Martin). She also reached…
Australian Open 2021: Stefanos Tsitsipas (5) vs. Daniil Medvedev (4) Semifinal Prediction
Daniil Medvedev vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas Tsitsipas and Medvedev both move quite well for men their size. Tsitsipas is 6’4″/1,94 M and plays an aggressive mode of shot-making tennis. Medvedev is 6’6″/196 M and plays a style of adaptable tennis I have dubbed “amoeba tennis.” I call it this because Medvedev seems to be able to…
Australian Open 2021: Novak Djokovic (1) vs. Aslan Karatsev
Can he do what Tiafoe, Fritz, Raonic, or Zverev did vs. Djokovic? Yes. If he does a little more, he may topple a titan.
Don’t Count on It
Australian Open 2021: Jennifer Brady (22) vs. Karolina Muchova (25) Semifinal Prediction
[22] Jennifer Brady (USA) vs. [25] Karolina Muchova (CZE) This match was not expected. I am not sure who had this in their bracket, but it is an exciting match and will put a new face into a Grand Slam final. Brady’s rise began in my beloved Kentucky last summer when she won the WTA event in Lexington….
Australian Open 2021: Naomi Osaka (3) vs. Serena Williams (10) Semifinal Prediction
This match is a dream match in every sense. Naomi Osaka has won 3 major titles since Sept. 2018. All 3 of these majors were won on hard courts (including the 2019 Australian Open). Osaka is also on a big winning streak of 19 matches. In short, Naomi Osaka IS the alpha player on hard…
Australian Open 2021: Day 10 Men’s Quarterfinal Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD Andrey Rublev (7) vs Daniil Medvedev (4) – This battle of the Russians is pitting two red hot players against one another. I like Medvedev to advance, but wow I also like Rublev’s game and chances. I think Medvedev’s amoeba tennis wins so long as he keeps adapting even if Rublev…
Australian Open 2021: Day 10 Women’s Quarterfinal Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD Ash Barty (1) vs Karolina Muchova (25) – As of now, I think Barty is headed to the final, but the semifinal will be harder than her quarterfinal round. Jennifer Brady (22) vs Jessica Pegula – Brady won Lexington in 2020 so I am maybe trying to avoid being too jingoistic…
