Predicted Winners in BOLD Victoria Azarenka (BLR) [3] vs. Maria Sharapova (RUS) [2] These two players are pretty evenly matched. When Azarenka gets her teeth into Sharapova’s game, she can roll her more famous opponent. However, Vika is not as comfortable on clay as she is on a hard court so a one-sided drubbing seems unlikely. I…
Tag: Roland Garros
Who will win Djokovic vs. Nadal? (Tennis Poll)
The biggest match of the French Open is obviously Serena Williams vs. Sara Errani Novak Djokovic vs. Rafael Nadal. Who do you think will win?
Roger Federer and the Grass Court Season
2013 Has Not Been a Great Season Roger Federer has posted a Grand Slam semifinal and quarterfinal finish, along with a runner-up finish in Rome and decent showings in Dubai and Indian Wells. That may add up to a top 10 level of play (especially given that Federer is 9-2 in majors in 2013), but…
French Open Predictions: Sharapova vs. Jankovic & Azarenka vs. Kirilenko (or Pan-Slavic Tennis)
Predicted Winners in BOLD 2 Maria Sharapova vs. 18 Jelena Jankovic Hopefully my picks are better than they were for the other quarterfinal matches. The defending champion faces a tricky veteren in Jankovic. If Jelena can make Maria move and make footing and footwork an issue, an upset if quite possible. Jankovic’s problem is that…
French Open Predictions: Nadal vs. Wawrinka & Djokovic vs. Haas
Predicted Winners in BOLD 1 Novak Djokovic vs. 12 Tommy Haas My picks for the other quarterfinal matches were not good. I hope to bounce back. This match is the harder one to pick as Haas has had some success vs. Djokovic (i.e. Miami this year, Halle and Wimbledon in 2009). Djokovic is also playing with a heavy…
French Open Predictions: Williams vs. Kuznetsova & Errani vs. Radwanksa
Predicted Winners in BOLD 1 Serena Williams vs. Svetlana Kuznetsova Kuznetsova has had a lot of success at Roland Garros. She also has 2 slam titles to her name and may not be as intimidated by Serena Williams as younger players on tour are. Still, Serena is on a roll. Kuznetsova has made a great…
And then there were 8: Quarterfinals at Roland Garros
Note: I know going AWOL for the first week of a Grand Slam is a bad idea for a tennis website. My wife and I welcomed our 3rd child into the world right as Roland Garros 2013 was commencing. All are well, but I have been a little distracted. Sentimental Picks There are a lot…
French Open Memories: Guga
South American Renaissance Gustavo Kuerten was not expected to win the 1997 French Open, but he went through accomplished champions and clay court powers in the process. Kuerten beat fifth seeded and 1995 French Open champion Thomas Muster in the round of 32. He beat Andrei Medvedev in the round of 16. He beat defending…
Masters Madrid Semifinal Predictions May 11, 2013
Predicted Winners in BOLD Semifinals 5 Rafael Nadal vs. Pablo Andujar – If Andujar is ever going to win against Rafa, this is his chance. Nadal played 2 tough sets and a 3rd set versus Ferrer. Nadal is also seemingly a little rusty. The altitude in Madrid has never been to Rafa’s liking. Still, I…
French Open Memories: Steffi Graf 1987-1989
My first distinct tennis memories are matches between Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe in the 1982 Wimbledon men’s championship and the 1984 US Open semifinal. Both were five set thrillers, but I did not start following tennis regularly until Boris Becker won Wimbledon in 1985. French Open matches did not make much of an impression…
Tennis Abides: Dan Martin on Tennis and Life 