Rafael Nadal, has continued his amazing clay court domination this season by claiming the first two clay titles. He went undefeated in 2006 and to be honest I wouldn't be surprised if he did it again this year. No one has been able to overcome him on this surface and most players can't even come close. Djokovic, has been the only player in 2009 to take a set off of him during their finals match in Monte Carlo. Surprisingly Federer, hasn't been there to challenge Nadal. He's been way off his game for most of the year although he's recently started to play a little bit better at Rome. If he's able to make the finals and get himself back on the right track, I could see him reaching the finals of Roland Garros for a fourth straight time, although it's extremely unlikely that he would be able to beat Nadal even if he got there. Djokovic and Stanislas Wawrinka are also good bets for the finals. Andy Murray just isn't good enough on clay to pose any kind of a threat to Nadal.
My guess is that it will be Novak Djokovic against Rafael Nadal at the Roland Garros finals (assuming they are on opposite ends of the draw.) Roger and Stan are the two other likely candidates but at this point they are distantly behind Djokovic. If Nole is able to put up a good fight I could possibly see him taking a set and maybe forcing a tie-break, if he doesn't do well then... I hope he at least finishes the match.
Prediction: Nadal wins Roland Garros over Djokovic 6-3, 6-2, 7-6, if Nole plays well. If not then 6-2, 6-0, 2-0 Djokovic retires.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Monte Carlo Semi-finals predictions
Well, I was a little bit off with Federer, I didn't expect him to go out in the third round to Stanislas Wawrinka, but it's hard to make predictions for Federer now a days because he's so erratic. Anyway, these are my predictions for the semi-finals:
Nadal vs Murray:
Nadal, kind of obvious, he's much better on clay than Murray. I don't think that this will be close at all. Nadal in straights.
Djokovic vs Wawrinka:
A few days ago Stan won his match against Roger Federer but I would be surprised if he was able to upset Djokovic. The Djoker has a big lead in their head to head and has beaten Wawrinka on clay. I think Djokovic moves through in two very tight sets.
Nadal vs Murray:
Nadal, kind of obvious, he's much better on clay than Murray. I don't think that this will be close at all. Nadal in straights.
Djokovic vs Wawrinka:
A few days ago Stan won his match against Roger Federer but I would be surprised if he was able to upset Djokovic. The Djoker has a big lead in their head to head and has beaten Wawrinka on clay. I think Djokovic moves through in two very tight sets.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
How does the future look for Roger?
Roger, has entered a new chapter in his life. Now that he's married his long time girlfriend Mirka and is expecting a baby with her this summer, where will his tennis career rank? How will these changes affect him as a player? Can he ever get back his #1 ranking now that he has other responsibilities and his primary competition is 5-6 years younger than him? Finally, how will his career end?
My guess is that Federer won't be able to regain the top spot again. Roger did more with with his four years at the top, than virtually any other player in the history of tennis. He's reached countless finals and has won all of the grand slams (excluding the French Open) at least 3 times. There really isn't that much more for him to achieve. He can break Sampras's record of 14 majors and he can still try to win the French Open to complete the career grand slam. At this point a calendar year grand slam would be too much to ask.
Nadal, is still the one major obstacle in Federer's path. He's stopped Federer from becoming the GOAT by defeating him four times at the French Open. Even if Roger were to somehow beat Nadal in the finals, It doesn't seem like it would mean that much because Nadal has owned him so many times.
I was surprised that Federer decided to play Monte Carlo this week, since he has just gotten married. I don't think his chances of winning are very good unless Nadal goes out early with an injury, but even reaching the finals might be challenging for him. Federer, has reach only a 9 finals since his streaky results started in early 2008. Federer's Monte Carlo draw is favorable for him to make the finals but he's probably going to have to contend with Novak Djokovic in the semis. If Roger brings his best game to Monte Carlo, plays great tennis all the way through the tournament getting by in as few sets as possible and Nadal is a little off his game, then I think Roger might have a decent chance of winning his first ever Monte Carlo title.
A lot of things will have to go right for him and it's going to take some luck but he could do it. Even if he's not the #1 player in the world anymore, Federer is always a threat in any tourament, even on his worst surface. Nadal is the heavy favorite, but if he doesn't play well this week, look for Federer to possibly win his first Monte Carlo title.
My guess is that Federer won't be able to regain the top spot again. Roger did more with with his four years at the top, than virtually any other player in the history of tennis. He's reached countless finals and has won all of the grand slams (excluding the French Open) at least 3 times. There really isn't that much more for him to achieve. He can break Sampras's record of 14 majors and he can still try to win the French Open to complete the career grand slam. At this point a calendar year grand slam would be too much to ask.
Nadal, is still the one major obstacle in Federer's path. He's stopped Federer from becoming the GOAT by defeating him four times at the French Open. Even if Roger were to somehow beat Nadal in the finals, It doesn't seem like it would mean that much because Nadal has owned him so many times.
I was surprised that Federer decided to play Monte Carlo this week, since he has just gotten married. I don't think his chances of winning are very good unless Nadal goes out early with an injury, but even reaching the finals might be challenging for him. Federer, has reach only a 9 finals since his streaky results started in early 2008. Federer's Monte Carlo draw is favorable for him to make the finals but he's probably going to have to contend with Novak Djokovic in the semis. If Roger brings his best game to Monte Carlo, plays great tennis all the way through the tournament getting by in as few sets as possible and Nadal is a little off his game, then I think Roger might have a decent chance of winning his first ever Monte Carlo title.
A lot of things will have to go right for him and it's going to take some luck but he could do it. Even if he's not the #1 player in the world anymore, Federer is always a threat in any tourament, even on his worst surface. Nadal is the heavy favorite, but if he doesn't play well this week, look for Federer to possibly win his first Monte Carlo title.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Roddick/Federer head-to-head
In the history of Men's tennis I don't think there has ever been a more one sided head-to-head than the Roger Federer/Andy Roddick one. The closest that I know of was Rod Laver vs Roy Emerson: 14-1 and Bjorn Borg vs Vitas Gerulitas: 16-0. Roddick is now 2-17 vs Federer and there will most likely be even more victories for Fed in the future.
Whenever these two played, Federer always had an answer for Roddick's shots. Federer, was an expert at returning Roddicks huge serve and once the point began, Federer was able to move Roddick around the court and place the ball in tough places for him to get to.
Federer has recently lost some of his consistency and I think that's the main reason, Roddick, was able to beat him last year in Miami. With Federer's consistency dropping, Roddick may have some opportunities in the future to win their matches. However, I would still favor the former world #1 to win their most important meetings.
Whenever these two played, Federer always had an answer for Roddick's shots. Federer, was an expert at returning Roddicks huge serve and once the point began, Federer was able to move Roddick around the court and place the ball in tough places for him to get to.
Federer has recently lost some of his consistency and I think that's the main reason, Roddick, was able to beat him last year in Miami. With Federer's consistency dropping, Roddick may have some opportunities in the future to win their matches. However, I would still favor the former world #1 to win their most important meetings.
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