Cue Jim Morrison to Sing The End? When Do Questions Start? As a champion declines, there are always points when questions about his or her future move from the subconscious to the conscious to the public. Pete Sampras’ loss to Marat Safin at the 2000 US Open was not the start of this talk…
Tag: Serena Williams
Miami 2014 Championship: Na Li vs. Serena Williams
Final Serena Williams (1) vs. Na Li (2) With Victoria Azarenka ailing and Na Li winning her second major title in January, this is the match to see on the WTA Tour. Na Li has a strong serve and great shot making abilities. She has weapons. This does not assure her of victory versus Serena. It does not…
WTA Miami: March 27, 2014 Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD My WTA picks were perfect yesterday after my terrible WTA Indian Wells picks. Serena Williams (1) vs. Maria Sharapova (4) – Serena loves Miami. Miami loves Serena. Maria is in theory due for a win over Serena, but I think Serena is in clear control of this rivalry. Na Li (2) vs. Dominika Cibulkova (10) – This…
6 October 2013: Quick Hits
Novak Djokovic is still #2 in my Power Rankings (I doubt he cares) and will be #2 in the computer on Monday. Still, Novak has said the right things since the US Open and beat a less than sharp Nadal in straight sets. Still, if Nole is willing to match Rafa’s toughness, I think he…
2013 China Open Final Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD [1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) v [2] Rafael Nadal (ESP) H2H I think Nole has a good chance of winning, but until Rafa’s winning streak is snappedhe has to be favored. The new world #1 vs. the man he dethroned. This is the match everyone wants to see. My prediction is 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 for Nadal. [1] Serena…
2013 China Open Semifinal Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD [4] Tomas Berdych (CZE) v [2] Rafael Nadal (ESP) H2H – I actually do not think Berdych is a bad pick here as he could win, and Rafa is due for a loss. Still, until Rafa loses or his knees look shaky, I think Rafa has to be favored in any match at the moment. [1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) v [5] Richard Gasquet (FRA) H2H – Richard…
2013 US Open Women’s Final Analysis
The First Set: Windy Start Serena and Vika both struggled early with the windy conditions, but through the first 10 games of the match Vika seemed more comfortable. The trouble for her was that she was tied at 5-5. With Serena serving at 4-5, Vika forced two deuces, but could not generate a break point/set…
2013 US Open Women’s Final Live Commentary
1 Serena Williams vs. 2 Victoria Azarenka 2013 US Open Women’s Singles Final America the Beautiful at 4:32 PM Nickelodeon promoting 10 and Under Tennis and youthtennis.com Vika looks a bit like Obi Wan Kenobi with her hood up GOAT count for Mac – 1 2:50 PM: we’re getting Survivor commercials Wind and shadows? 0-40…
US Open 2013: Serena Williams vs. Victoria Azarenka Prediction
1 Serena Williams vs. 2 Victoria Azarenka This was so much fun. Why not do it again? I just wrote a column about Serena Williams being the third greatest female singles player of all time who is quite likely to reach #2 or higher. One might expect my prediction to be a coronation for Serena….
Serena as the GOAT? Depends
Serena Williams has won so many big prizes and played tennis at such an exceptionally high level that GOAT questions arise whenever she is close to adding another major title. I recently, tried to clarify some of the issues surrounding the men’s GOAT debate by offering three lenses for viewing the problem. I think these categories…
Tennis Abides: Dan Martin on Tennis and Life 