Grand Slam Tennis Tours Blog By Jeremy
Friday, August 27 - 2010
2010 US Open Preview
As always, there will be no structure…here are some freeflowing thoughts after seeing the US Open Draws.
- Former champion Andy Roddick got a nice draw, former champion Maria Sharapova did not. Allow me to explain…Sharapova opens her campaign against Australian Jarmila Groth, somewhat of an unknown. However, she did finish in the 4th round of the last two Grand Slams, something Sharapova herself failed to do. But let’s assume she gets through, she still would have to face #1 seed Caroline Wozniacki in the round of 16. Other notables in that quarter include one of the best players of this summer Svetlana Kuznetsova and the always feisty Li Na. Except the top seed to advance to the semis out of the section.
Now, onto Roddick. He is the 9th seed, meaning he could draw any of the top 8 in the round of 16. He drew 6th seeded Davydenko, who Roddick is 5-1 against. If he makes it to the quarterfinals, the top seed he could face is Djokovic, who Roddick is 5-2 against. While I expect Roddick to make it out of this quarter…don’t be surprised by the likes of one of the other names in here to make a run – Bagdhatis, Fish and Monfils could all make a run. One last note for this quarter, James Blake is here, and it could be his last tourney, so look for him to put everything on the line.
- Think 2nd seed Roger Federer is excited? I certainly do. I think he has overall the easiest quarter, with a quarterfinal matchup against Soderling looming. I simply don’t see him losing to anyone before that (Hewitt, Cilic and Gonzalez are other big names), and the way he has played this summer I think he takes down Soderling with relative ease if they face each other. After that, he matches up against either Roddick (19-2 career record) or Djokovic (10-5), as opposed to Murray (5-7). Except Roger in the finals.
- If Roger is excited, Nadal must be ecstatic. I’m not sure there is one player in his quarter that I’d give a better than 10% chance to beat him. He has potential matchups with good players like Ljubicic and Verdasco, but he is a career 15-2 against them. I expect him to breeze through his draw all the way to the semis where he will probably face Andy Murray. However, don’t be surprised to see someone else in Murray’s place. Tomas Berdych, Sam Querrey and a few others pose significant threats.
- As for who Wozniacki will face in her semi, the other quarter in that half is wide open. Jankovic, Zvonareva, Petrova and other top names in that section are somewhat up and down, so I’m going to go out on a limb and pick 9th seeded Radwanska to make her first Grand Slam semifinal. Looking at the other half, I’d be remiss to pick anyone but a Clisters vs. Williams (Venus, remember…no Serena) semifinal. But look out for a resurgent Dementieva, Sam Stosur or Azarenka to throw a wrench into those plans.
I’ll save semifinal and winner picks until a bit later in the tournament…enjoy everyone!
Wednesday, August 24 - 2010
MIDWEEK LINKS
I promise a full US Open preview once the draw is released, but until then here are some other tennis stories that might peak your interest:
Peter Bodo on the new Roger Federer.
The new Federer also tops ESPN’s new power rankings.
Here is a heads up on a forthcoming US Open prediction challenge.
Latest Wertheim mailbag.
Could this be the last year for New Haven?
If you aren’t traveling with Grand Slam Tennis Tours to the US Open, here is a handy fan guide with a bit of help.
Most of you might have seen this…but check out Federer knock a can off a dude’s head with a serve.
Wednesday, August 18 - 2010
Dog Days of Summer
- Leading question – Federer this week claimed his goal was 20 slams…who you betting on? Federer to reach 20 Grand Slam titles (he is at 16), or Tiger to win 19 to break the all-time record (he is at 14)? 
- Well, it wasn’t a Grand Slam Title, but Andy Murray’s victory in Toronto should go a long way in helping him believe he can eventually win a Slam, and possibly even this year’s US Open. Going into Toronto, Murray had amassed 11 losses on the year (he had 11 total in all of 2009), and absolutely no titles (after winning 6 in 2009). I think it is safe to say Murray has had a disappointing 2010 campaign. However, he seems to have put that behind him as he looked like his 2009-self in beating Nalbandian (who is back in top 10 form), Nadal and Federer in straight sets on consecutive days. If he keeps this up, he has to be considered a favorite going into the US Open.
- You know who I do not consider a favorite – Novak Djokovic. Yes, he made the semifinals in Toronto. Yes, he lost a match that could have gone either way to the best player of all time (still Federer). BUT, yes he also beat no one of real note in his three victories (Benneteau, Hanescu, Chardy); and yes, he admitted he considered retiring in his first match because of the heat. If the weather in NYC the first two weeks of September is around 68 degrees with overcast skies, my feelings on Djoker will change…but otherwise I can’t see him winning seven best of 5 set matches in a row.
- Speaking of winning seven of those matches in a row, don’t expect Roddick to do it either. He was just diagnosed with a mild case of mononucleosis. Though it is ‘mild,’ it’s obviously not going to help a guy who has already fallen out of the top 10.
- Remember last month, when I talked about how this summer might be Ana Ivanovic’s last stand? Well, I think she responded quite well…only to take another step back. In her opening round match she battled back from a set and 5-3 down to defeat #13 Victoria Azarenka. Then, she won three straight matches in relatively easy fashion. Considering it was only the second time she’s won four matches in a row this year, I’d say it’s a huge step forward. However, she then injured her foot in the semifinals against Clisters…but she claims she will be fine for the US Open. The WTA needs some spark, so if she can make a run there it would certainly help.
- What is going to happen to the WTA when the Williams sisters actually retire? Neither has played since Wimbledon, and while the Sharapova vs. Clisters matchup in the Montreal final was somewhat intriguing, it honestly seems like there is no buzz around Women’s tennis unless Serena or Venus are involved. A couple players need to step up for a prolonged period to generate some interest around them…not a couple of months at a time, which seems to have been the case the last few years.
Wednesday, August 10 - 2010
MIDWEEK LINKS:
Well the creators of the US Open Series can’t win them all…after an exciting Los Angeles Event that featured a Querrey vs. Murray final, Washington DC provided a relatively ho-hum Bagdhatis/Nalbandian matchup. If it were 2007 it might be something to get excited about, but something tells me casual tennis fans were a bit disappointed to see the likes of Isner, Querrey and Roddick out before the weekend. This week the action is in Montreal (Women’s) and Toronto (Men’s), where the field is finally stacked with most of the respective top 10 in the world. Here is some other news from the tennis world:
This is some depressing news for the American tennis fan.
Federer trying to find ‘the right balance’ as he starts his summer hardcourt season.
Some reflections on the young stars of the WTA.
Best of Three from Wertheim.
Latest Wertheim mailbag, with a special guest star.
Pretty cool new (to me, anyways) tennis website.
Peter Bodo’s thoughts on summer so far…which includes a quick note about the resurgence of Kuznetsova, who yours truly predicted to have a great summer.