Rafael Nadal (ESP) [1] vs. Roger Federer (SUI) [6] With 30 majors between them, this is about as big as a semifinal can get. Rafa had a somewhat close straight set win over Kei Nishikori and then struggled with Grigor Dimitrov until the fourth set. Roger Federer has looked as sharp as he’s been since winning Wimbledon…
Tag: Australian Open
Australian Open 2014: Wawrinka vs. Berdych Prediction
Tomas Berdych (CZE) [7] vs. Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) [8] First, this should be a great match. Tennis has been dominated by four players for several years now. Each of these men has been trying to break through, and each now has a chance to play for a Grand Slam title if he wins this match. …
Australian Open 2014: Radwanska vs. Cibulkova Prediction
Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) [20] vs. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) [5] Cibulkova and Radwanska get a short turn around, but since week long WTA events have players in back-to-back matches on most days this should not be a problem. Cibulkova only dropped 3 games yesterday so she should be healthy. Radwanska did drop a set to Vika,…
Australian Open 2014: Bouchard vs. Li Predictions
Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) [30] vs. Na Li (CHN) [4] This is a hard match to predict. Bouchard is on the rise as a player. Na Li has had some of her best results in Melbourne, but in total her career could be characterized as being erratic. Na Li when playing well is just about as…
Australian Open 2014: Day 10 Men’s Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD Rafael Nadal (ESP) [1] vs. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) [22] – I think Grigor may win a set. Winning 4 matches here bodes well for Grigor’s transition to the top tiers of tennis, but Rafa is very likely too much for Dimitrov at this time. Don’t be shocked if Rafa does what he did to Monfils….
Australian Open 2014: Day 10 Women’s Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD Simona Halep (ROU) [11] vs. Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) [20] – I think Halep is an up and coming player on the WTA. Cibulkova is a known commodity. I will take the player with more up-side to advance. Halep d. Cubulkova 6-4, 6-2 Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) [5] vs. Victoria Azarenka (BLR) [2] – Vika has her second consecutive match with…
Australian Open 2014: Day 9 Men’s Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD Tomas Berdych (CZE) [7] vs. David Ferrer (ESP) [3] – These two have split their last four matches (all on hardcourts). This makes it a tough match to call. Berdych obviously needs to dictate play and impose his serve and big shots on Ferrer. David has to make the Big Czech move and play defensive…
Australian Open 2014: Day 9 Women’s Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD Na Li (CHN) [4] vs. Flavia Pennetta (ITA) [28] – Pennetta is a tough player who has gotten better with age (no easy task). Na Li has one French Open title and two Australian Open runner-up finishes in recent years. Li plays well in Melbourne and has more weapons than Pennetta. For those reasons, I…
Australian Open 2014: Day 8 Men’s Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD Rafael Nadal (ESP) [1] vs. Kei Nishikori (JPN) [16] – After what Nadal did to Monfils, I think it is safe to say he is dialed in at this event. I think Murray and Nole are his only two true threats. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) [10] vs. Roger Federer (SUI) [6] – After what happened in Paris last year, I…
Australian Open 2014: Day 7 Women’s Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD Serena Williams (USA) [1] vs. Ana Ivanovic (SRB) [14] – This should be a good measuring stick for Ivanovic, but Serena is going to win. Casey Dellacqua (AUS) – Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) [30] – I’m taking the Australian to advance. Na Li (CHN) [4] vs. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) [22] – I like Na Li to reach the semifinal round. Angelique Kerber (GER) [9] vs. Flavia Pennetta (ITA) [28] –…
Tennis Abides: Dan Martin on Tennis and Life 