2015 Power Ranking: Madrid – Murray’s Clay Feat

2015 Power Ranking #5 – Murray Does Damage on the Dirt Novak Djokovic – Novak has not played since winning Monte Carlo because frankly he didn’t have to.  Will he cross the Rubicon and take Rome? Andy Murray – I can’t move Andy to #1 because of Nole’s stellar 2015, but Murray won Munich and was…

Masters Madrid 2015: May 6th ATP Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD (This is an incredible slate of matches) [3] Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs Steve Johnson (USA) H2H – Johnson is a great story, but not every story has a happy ending. [1] Roger Federer (SUI) vs Nick Kyrgios (AUS) – I could see this going either way as Roger may be pacing himself for Paris….

Istanbul 2015: Federer vs. Cuevas Prediction

Roger Federer vs. Pablo Cuevas The first meeting between these two comes in the first ever Istanbul final.  Cuevas has reached 3 clay court finals in the past 2 seasons.  He took a title earlier this year in Sao Paulo.  He also just soundly beat Grigor Dimitrov who provides ideal sparring prior to facing Federer….

Monte-Carlo 2015: April 16th Predictions for a Sweet 16

Predicted Winners in BOLD This is a great schedule of matches [7] Stan Wawrinka (SUI) v [9] Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) H2H – Someone forgot to tell these two that one-handed backhands are an endangered species.  Stan’s form was great in his opening match, but somehow I think Grigor finds a way in 3 sets. [WC/14] Gael Monfils…

Monte Carlo 2015: April 15 Predictions or Special IRS Edition

Predicted Winners in BOLD What a picturesque venue [7] Stan Wawrinka (SUI) vs Juan Monaco (ARG) H2H – I am quite tempted to pick an upset here, but Stan has done well when defending titles. [3] Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs [WC] Lucas Pouille (FRA) H2H – Rafa will be tested in Monte Carlo but not in this match. [2] Roger Federer (SUI)…

A Modest Proposal: Masters 1000 Events and Solar Panels

NetJets is making strides to go carbon neutral – perhaps they could sponsor this effort The professional tennis tours are fairly carbon intensive.  The miles of airline flights and driving (in the case of Murray’s 2009 road trip from Montreal to Cincinnati) add up to a lot of internal combustion engines being used by players and fans…

2015 Power Ranking: Indian Wells – Nole Reigns and Milos Rises

Tennis Power Ranking 2015: #2 Given that I live so close to Cincinnati we can all hope these are used for seedings at Masters Cincinnati Novak Djokovic – Novak withstood some nerves in the second set to avenge his loss in Dubai and further strengthen his hold on the #1 ranking.  I think Djokovic is…

Indian Wells 2015: Federer vs. Djokovic Championship Prediction

Roger Federer vs. Novak Djokovic  World #2 Roger Federer defeated World #1 Novak Djokovic in Dubai to edge ahead 20-17 in their head-to-head series.  Each man has only lost 1 match in 2015.  This is the match that the tournament organizers were hoping for as it has a bit of everything.  Novak, in my view,…

Indian Wells 2015: Raonic vs. Federer Semifinal Prediction

Milos Raonic vs. Roger Federer H2H Milos Raonic defeated Rafael Nadal in a gutsy manner.  While that match may be a turning point for Milos as he relates to the top tier of tennis players, his quick turnaround is not ideal.  Milos played 35 games yesterday while Federer only played 16. Physically Federer’s match was…

Indian Wells 2015: Federer vs Berdych Quarterfinal Prediction

[2] Roger Federer (SUI) vs. [9] Tomas Berdych (CZE) Dating back to the 2004 Olympics, Berdych has posted some meaningful wins over Roger Federer.  Berdych stopped Fed at Wimbledon 2010 and US Open 2012.  Having said that, Federer has won 2/3 of their 18 career matches.  Federer has won 2 titles in 2015 while Berdych has…