ATP World Tour Finals 2017: Day 3 Round Robin Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD [5] Marin Cilic (CRO) vs. [8] Jack Sock (USA) H2H – The winner of this match will keep his semifinal hopes realistically alive.  Cilic has more experience and a more well rounded game.  Jack Sock has his massive forehand and momentum from winning in Paris.  Sock leads their head-to-head 2-0 with both wins coming in 2016 (Davis Cup…

Indian Wells 2017: Men’s Semifinal Predictions

Swiss Army Final? Probably, but Does it Come w/ a Can Opener and Cork Screw? [3] Stan Wawrinka (SUI) vs. [21] Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) I am more confident of Stan Wawrinka advancing than Roger Federer reaching the final.  I think Wawrinka’s power baseline game and bluntly impactful serve leave Pablo Carreno Busta one path…

Indian Wells 2017: March 17th ATP Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD [9] Roger Federer (SUI) vs. [15] Nick Kyrgios (AUS) H2H – If Kyrgios serves like he did in his 2 recent wins vs. Novak Djokovic, this pick will look foolish.  I think Federer is riding high mentally after picking up his 2nd win of 2017 vs. Rafael Nadal.  Also, playing during the…

Quick Hits: Tsonga Riding High, Thiem’s 8th, & Svitolina Rolling

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has been a factor in men’s tennis at least since the 2008 Australian Open.  His two consecutive titles to start 2017 bode well for his continued presence in the top 15.  Tsonga fights hard and plays an attacking style of tennis that is fun for fans.  I know the Aussie Open is over,…

US Open 2016: September 4th Men’s Predictions

Arthur Ashe Stadium (11 a.m. start) [4] Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs [24]  Lucas Pouille (FRA)[24] – I like Rafa to win and likely in straight sets.  I could see Pouille making one set close or even stealing a set. [1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. Kyle Edmund (GBR) – Novak needs to get into the flow of the…

US Open 2016: August 29th Men’s Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD [4] Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs. Denis Istomin (UZB) – I could see Istomin push this to 4 sets, but Rafa likely wins in 3 or 4 sets. Could this happen again? [1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. Jerzy Janowicz (POL) – Jerzy looked so promising in 2012 and 2013. [7] Marin Cilic (CRO)…

Rio Olympic Tennis: Men’s Quarterfinal Predictions

The Elite Eight is Here! Predicted Winners in BOLD (3) Rafael Nadal VS Thomaz Bellucci – While we’ve been treated to any number of “Baby Fed”/”Next Federer” labels being applied to players over the years, that has not really happened with Rafa.  Bellucci is a lefty who might have been stuck with a silly moniker of that nature…

Rio Olympic Tennis: The Value of Medals Won in Doubles

Rafa Nadal & Marc Lopez win their QF & reach the medal round. With mixed doubles, Nadal plays 3 matches tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/i586WQ9fiT — Cynthia Tanner (@CJSTanner) August 10, 2016 With most of today’s action wiped out by rain storms, I am going to take a moment to look at doubles.  It is a topic I…

Rio Olympic Tennis: August 6 Men’s Singles Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD Albert Ramos-Vinolas VS (4) Kei Nishikori – Kei should win, but his deep run in Canada may make an adjustment to Rio a bit slower than some other players’ process of adaptation. Malek Jaziri VS (5) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga – I like Tsonga so long as he is feeling healthy. (6) Gael Monfils VS Vasek Pospisil – Pospisil has a canon serve…

Masters Canada 2016: July 28th ATP Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD [3] Kei Nishikori (JPN) vs. Rajeev Ram (USA) H2H – Ram could win, but he is certainly not the favorite. [2] Stan Wawrinka (SUI) vs. [16] Jack Sock (USA) H2H – Stan should win, but typically his Masters 1000 results are pretty scattered so a Sock win should not be discounted. [4] Milos…