Tennis Power Ranking 2013: Post Monte Carlo

Dan Martin’s 2013 Power Ranking #6 1.  Novak Djokovic – Nole ends a nearly 9 year winning streak by Nadal in Monte Carlo and in straight sets no less.  He’s #1. 2.  Rafael Nadal – Rafa has played 5 events in 2013.  His results: 3 titles and 2 runner-up finishes. Did someone really knock over his water…

Nadal’s Reign: Unrelenting Supremacy

King Rafa 2005 – ? Can anyone stop a prepared Nadal on clay?  That is a question that has been hounding professional tennis since 2005.  There are a few scenarios for how Nadal might lose a match on clay, but these scenarios become even less likely when a match moves to a best of five…

The State of US Men’s Tennis

 The Big Four Help The US Open is obviously a Grand Slam event.  One third of the ATP’s Masters 1000 events reside inside of the United States.  The Wimbledon and French Open championship start times are designed to get access to some of the television market in the US.  Yet, the US does not currently…

Tennis Power Ranking 2013: Indian Wells

Dan Martin’s 2013 Power Ranking #4 1.  Novak Djokovic – Nole is number one, but he can hear footsteps behind him right now. 2.  Rafael Nadal – 3 consecutive tournament titles, including his first hard court title in over 2 years, have Rafa rising.  Change since last Ranking +1 3.  Andy Murray – This Indian Wells was…

Indian Wells 2013 Championship Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD Final Rafael Nadal (5) vs. Juan Martin del Potro (7) I think Nadal completes a remarkable comeback by defeating a player who has given him some trouble.  Delpo is obviously on a roll beating Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic in succession.  For JMDP to win he will need to serve big so that he…

March 14, 2013: Indian Wells Match Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD Quarterfinals Tomas Berdych (6) vs. Kevin Anderson – Kevin Anderson has had a great tournament.  Beating David Ferrer and Gilles Simon is no small task.  Still, Berdych will be able to hold serve more easily than Simon or Ferrer could.  The Big Czech will likely advance due to having a stronger ground game and…

March 13, 2013: Indian Wells Match Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD Fourth Round Andy Murray (3) vs. Carlos Berlocq – Murray should win in two easy sets as Berlocq has no weapons to threaten Murray. Rafael Nadal (5) vs. Ernests Gulbis – Gulbis is on a hot streak and Nadal is maybe not sure about hard courts.  Still, Rafa is the smart pick. Gilles Simon (13) vs. Kevin Anderson – Simon…

March 11, 2013: Indian Wells Match Picks

Predicted Winner in BOLD [5] Rafael Nadal (ESP) v Leonardo Mayer (ARG) – Rafa rolls Ivan Dodig (CRO) v [2] Roger Federer (SUI) – Federer wins Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) v [18] Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) – Call me nostalgic, but I think Rusty wins unless Stan returns well. Jarkko Nieminen (FIN) v Kevin Anderson (RSA) – The big server beats the veteran. [20] Andreas Seppi (ITA) v [Q] Ernests…

Tennis 2013 Power Ranking: Dubai and Acapulco

Dan Martin’s 2013 Power Ranking #3 1.  Novak Djokovic – Nole is number one, and his strong showing in Dubai only underscores that point. 2.  Andy Murray – 2013 has brought Andy a Grand Slam runner-up finish and a 250 point title.  Still, it will be nice to see him in action again. 3.  Rafael Nadal – Rafa’s…

Tennis Power Rankings 2013: Chile and Beyond

Dan Martin’s 2013 Power Ranking #2  1.  Novak Djokovic – Nole is still in control. 2.  Andy Murray – He’s posted a 19-2 match record at the 3 most recent Grand Slam events. 3.  Roger Federer – Will Rotterdam move Federer into a tie for career titles with John McEnroe? 4.  David Ferrer – Horacio Zeballos preserved Ferrer’s #4…