US OPEN 2011: Men's Quarterfinals and R16 Preview

BY MAD PROFESSAH


Due to a complete rain out of play on Tuesday September 7 the men's draw has been thrown into disarray. Because the US Open is the only major which does not have a day off between the semifinals and final, losing a day in which quarterfinals were supposed to be played complicates things dramatically.

Last year I correctly predicted 4 of 4 2010 men's quarterfinals and 4 of 4 2010 women's quarterfinals.
My predictions for the 2011 women's quarterfinals are also available. Below are my predictions for the two of the 2011 men's quarterfinals hat are set (and four of the Round of 16 matches).

The plan for today, Day 10 of the 2011 US Open, is to both finish off playing the last four round of 16 matches (which just happens to feature three American players: John Isner, Donald Young and Andy Roddick) AND the first two men's quarterfinals, on the same day.

Novak Djokovic SRB (1) v. Janko Tipsarevic SRB (20). The World #1 has only lost two matches all year long, and is having one of the all-time great seasons, with a record of 61 win, 9 tournament titles (including 2 majors). It's true that Djokovic almost lost his first set of the tournament in difficult conditions against the funky game of Aleksandr Dologopolov but that does not reflect any diminution in his powers. Tipsarevic is a player whose game Djokovic knows well, since they are from the same country and are fellow Davis Cup team members. Tipsarevic is a very smart player and knows how to be dangerous but it is very doubtful he can end Djokovic's streak in his very first major quarterfinal appearance unless Novak is having a very very bad day. PREDICTION: Djokovic.


 Roger Federer SUI (3) v. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga FRA (11). This is the best potential quarterfinal match up and should probably be the best match of this action-packed day. Federer is in his jaw-dropping 30th consecutive major quarterfinal while Tsonga is in his 6th quarterfinal of his career, and his first in New York City, a major which Federer has won more times (5) than Tsonga has been in the draw (4). Because of his injuries and absences from the sport Federer and Tsonga have only met 7 times, 4 of which have come this year, with 2 wins each. However, Tsonga has won the last two times they played, including an amazing result at Wimbledon where he came from 2-sets down to beat Roger in 5, the first time ANYONE had ever done that at a major tournament, let alone on Roger's best surface of grass (which is probably also Tsonga's best surface). So clearly Tsonga now does have the game to beat Roger and can do it if he is playing his best while Roger is not. Happily for Federer, the Swiss showed that he still has some of his best tennis left in him when he dismantled Juan Monaco 6-1 6-2 6-0 in a late-night match prior to Tuesday's deluge. Federer also enjoys a challenge, as evidenced by his glee in handling Djokovic his first loss of the year in Paris to end the Serb's undefeated season. I believe tonight's match will be very close, almost definitely 4 or 5 sets, with Federer coming through for a rematch with Djokovic in the semifinals on Saturday. PREDICTION: Federer.


The following fourth round matches are also being completed today.

Gilles Simon FRA (12) v. John Isner USA (28). For the second round in a row French counterpuncher Simon is taking on a giant, huge serving player. Simon was able to dismiss 6'6" 2009 US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro in four sets on Sunday (which I watched from the fourth row courside in Armstrong) while 6'9" John Isner was able to overcome stiff resistance from speedy Alex Bogomolov, Jr. Simon is a much better player than Bogomolov and unless Isner plays very well, he will face the same fate as Del Potro.This is the match where Isner needs to prove he is not just (in the words of Roger Federer, about another huge-serving American) "a great server" but a great player. Having also seen Isner play close up (from first row courtside in Armstrong) I would say he is not yet a great player, though he is a great competitor. That might be enough against the Frenchman, but I doubt it. PREDICTION: Simon.


Donald Young USA v. Andy Murray GBR (4). Amazingly, the young African American phenom has a win this year over a player named Andy Murray. However, that Andy Murray was recovering from his 3rd consecutive major final loss and is not the same player who handed new World #1 Novak Djokovic only his second loss of the season a few short weeks ago in Cincinnati. Young has finally lived up to his potential to reach the last 16 of a major tournament for the first time, beating 2 seeded players Juan Ignacio Chela (24) and Stanislas Wawrinka (14). By reaching the 4th round Young will receive the largest paycheck of his career. Hopefully he uses it wisely to invest in his game so that his 2011 US Open results are just the beginning of good results and not a fluke. PREDICTION: Murray.


David Ferrer ESP (5) v. Andy Roddick USA (21). This is the toughest match for me to predict in this round. I have not been that impressed with Roddick'splay and I haven't seen a single point of Ferrer's. But I know the Spaniard is always a rough customer, and against Roddick he leads their career head-to-head 5-3 including two crucial Davis Cup wins for Spain over USA (one from 2011). Presumably, Roddick will try and turn this encounter into a home court advantage Davis Cup match as well, but can his 29-year-old game match up to Ferrer's feistiness? PREDICTION: Ferrer.


Gilles Muller LUX v. Rafael Nadal ESP (2). Nadal will be interested in making a statement about his fitness after the world saw him cramping up after a press conference after his last match. Muller will be lucky to win a handful of games in each of the three sets played. PREDICTION: Nadal.

US Open 2011 Preview

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Heavy rain falls on a tennis ball as Hurricane Irene heads up the east coast during previews at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 27, 2011 in New York City.



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The draws are out, the wind and rain will subside, and tomorrow, in the concrete jungle known as New York, the last Slam of the year will begin.



I tend to find men's tennis more compelling than women's, but for at least the fourth Slam in a row, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray are in the same half of the draw, while Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer reside in the other half. And while I haven't checked about, I bet the fanged Scot is most pundits pick to win the title.



Yawn.



Two-time defending champion Kim Clijsters is nursing an injury, so most will probably tell you that Serena Williams is the favorite in New York. No big surprise, but I agree. Unless there's a major upset, she'll face Victoria Azarenka in the third round. I'm sure that match will be hyped to the hilt, but I sincerely doubt it will live up to it. From what little tennis I've seen this summer, Serena is on a mission. I don't see anyone in the draw stopping her from claiming her fourth US Open crown and 14th major title. I'm not suggesting it's going to be a run to winner's circle without the loss of a set, but who would be shocked if it were?



As for a few of the rest: Will Juan Martín del Potro find his best form at his favorite tournament? How recovered is Robin Söderling? Are there any Americans other than Serena ready to thrill the home crowd with an appearance on the final weekend? Will the reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champions on the women's side get their groove on in Flushing Meadows, or will Li Na and Petra Kvitova have to be satisfied with a lone Slam title this season? Who's going to defeat the top-ranked player on the women's side? Which youngster on either tour has the best chance to steal the show?



I'm ready to find out. Are you?

Novak Djokovic, Wimbledon Champion

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He played one set of spectacular tennis and captured his first Wimbledon crown. He wanted it so much, had struggled so to find his footing in the past, he ate a blade of grass when it was all over. I had sworn it would take a spectacular effort to defeat defending champion Rafael Nadal, that there was no way the Spaniard would let the Serbian off the hook at any time during the match.

I was wrong.

On either side of trading 6-1 sets, Nadal played two loose service games out of nowhere to drop serve. The first one handed Novak Djokovic the set outright, the second gave him the opportunity to serve for the match. I've seen Nadal choke in Wimbledon finals before (2006 and 2008) but for some silly reason, I didn't think he'd do it again.

I suppose it's time I stop underestimating Djokovic's mental toughness in the face of Nadal. Fans all over the place say the way Nadal submits to Djokovic now reminds them of how Roger Federer submits to Nadal, or how Andy Roddick submits to Federer. But in both of those cases, the man who would become the pigeon never boasted a winning record over the one who would make him so.

In some ways, the reversal of fortune seems more like what Federer did to David Nalbandian. After losing to the Argentine the first 5 times they played, the Swiss figured out a way to win. Thereafter, it seemed Nalbandian forgot how to beat Federer. Are we headed to a period when every match between Djokovic and Nadal will have a predictable outcome?


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In yesterday's final, Nadal mentally went away at the end of the two sets that handed Djokovic the title. He struck his first double fault of the match serving at 3-4 in the fourth, and followed it with two errors off the ground. He saved one break point, but another error allowed Djokovic to serve out the match. At 30-30, Djokovic served and volleyed for the first time in the match, and then won championship point when Nadal struck a passing shot long.

Overall, it wasn't a spectacular effort or a very good match, but Novak Djokovic cements his place today as the new world No. 1 with the most coveted title in tennis.


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Two Slams, the No. 1 ranking, and an astounding record of 48-1 on the year. If it's true, as pompelmo asserts, that every Pharoah has his Moses, then who's going to float up out of the bullrushes and cut his way through Djokovic's absolute dominance?

Face Of The Day

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The face of the new World No. 1, Novak Djokovic, who fought off Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6(4), 6-2, 6-7(11), 6-3 to advance to his first Wimbledon final. On Monday, he will rise to the top of the rankings regardless of Sunday's outcome.

Believing In Himself: Tsonga Shocks Federer

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Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is the first Black man to advance to a Wimbledon semifinal since MaliVai Washington in 1996. And he did it in extraordinary style. Down two sets to love against the great Roger Federer, having flailed away a second-set tiebreak, he gathered himself and decided to play the kind of tennis we know he can play when he puts his mind to it.

“He took risks and chances, and it all worked for him," Federer told the press after the match. “It’s hard to accept, because I feel I was as good as he was in terms of how I was playing. But he closed really well and served really well for a long time. I knew he could do it, but it was still impressive to see when you’re across the net.”

I've been on Federer in the past for his remarks in losses, but this time, he gets it completely right. Maturity will do that to you.

A stunning 178-0 was Federer after winning the first two sets at Slams, I'd bet the farm no one saw Tsonga coming all the way back, even after winning the third set. But in the final set, after opening with a break of serve, there were two points when it became clear to me Tsonga would hold his nerve and complete the upset of the tournament. Returning at 3-5, Federer was up 40-0. Two first serves later, it was 40-30. Tsonga hit two winning forehand returns that made the crowd ooh and aah. I almost expected Tsonga to get tight in that return game, have that tightness carry over to match game, and find himself struggling to close. But those two winners told the tale. Tsonga actually believed. Federer held on the next point, the players changed ends, and Tsonga closed out the match to love when a Federer backhand return floated long.

“The feeling is like maybe beating Nadal in Roland Garros,” Tsonga said after the match. “It’s just amazing. For me, it will be for sure one of the best memories in my career.”

As a spectator, it will be an enduring memory for me too. For Tsonga's game is made for the grass and the grass is where real tennis is contested. He can do anything on the court. Anything at all. But too often, he seems to refuse to bring his magical gifts to bear throughout the course of a match. Not today. At least not through the last three sets. The Frenchman, who ditched a coach in order to become a man and figure out how to win on his own, played the kind of tennis I've always wanted to see from him against this player, on this court, at this event.

Novak Djokovic, who won but struggled against 18-year-old Bernard Tomic, is up next. I'm believing Tsonga will be playing the final.

I'm hoping he's believing it, too.

Wimbledon 2011 Day 1 Open Thread

by Craig Hickman



A tennis fans reads a newspaper as they wait outside the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 20, 2011 in London, England.

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I'm doing my Wimbledon happy dance right now. I've harvested some sweet strawberries and drenched them in fresh goat cream (delish), and I'm simply delighted that the Crown Jewel of tennis is upon us.

Already, Venus Williams' seeding and assignment to Court 2 are being criticized by Chris Evert, Brad Gilbert and Chris Fowler from ESPN's studio. The 5-time champion is about to take the court.

As per tradition, the defending champion Rafael Nadal is up first on Centre Court against American veteran Micheal Russell.

I'm thinking Jelena Dokic upends Francesca Schiavone today.

The Championships 2011

Intended Order of Play for Monday 20 June 2011

CENTRE - SHOW COURT - 1.00 PM START

1. Rafael Nadal (ESP) [1] vs Michael Russell (USA)
2. Francesca Schiavone (ITA) [6] vs Jelena Dokic (AUS)
3. Andy Murray (GBR) [4] vs Daniel Gimeno-Traver (ESP)

COURT 1 - SHOW COURT - 1.00 PM START

1. Alison Riske (USA) vs Vera Zvonareva (RUS) [2]
2. Filippo Volandri (ITA) vs Tomas Berdych (CZE) [6] .
3. Andreas Beck (GER) vs Andy Roddick (USA) [8]

COURT 2 - SHOW COURT - 12.00 NOON START

1. Akgul Amanmuradova (UZB) vs Venus Williams (USA) [23]
2. Gael Monfils (FRA) [9] vs Matthias Bachinger (GER)
3. Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) vs Victoria Azarenka (BLR) [4]
4. Radek Stepanek (CZE) vs Fernando Verdasco (ESP) [21]

COURT 3 - SHOW COURT - 12.00 NOON START

1. Katie O'Brien (GBR) vs Kimiko Date-Krumm (JPN)
2. Potito Starace (ITA) vs Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) [14]
3. Ivan Ljubicic (CRO) vs Marin Cilic (CRO) [27]
4. Jelena Jankovic (SRB) [15] vs Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez (ESP)

COURT 12 - SHOW COURT - 12.00 NOON START

1. Mardy Fish (USA) [10] vs Marcel Granollers (ESP)
2. Shuai Zhang (CHN) vs Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) [12}
3. Ivo Karlovic (CRO) vs Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) [23]
4. Naomi Broady (GBR) vs Anne Keothavong (GBR)

COURT 18 - SHOW COURT - 12.00 NOON START

1. Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) [19] vs Varvara Lepchenko (USA)
2. Richard Gasquet (FRA) [17] vs Santiago Giraldo (COL)
3. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) [24] vs Flavio Cipolla (ITA)
4. LL Stephanie Foretz Gacon (FRA) vs Andrea Petkovic (GER) [11]

COURT 4 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Feliciano Lopez (ESP) vs Michael Berrer (GER)
2. Edouard Roger-Vasselin (FRA) vs Gilles Simon (FRA) [15]
3. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) [14] vs Lesia Tsurenko (UKR)

COURT 5 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Pablo Andujar (ESP) vs Ryan Sweeting (USA)
2. Kateryna Bondarenko (UKR) vs Alize Cornet (FRA)
3. Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) vs Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN)
4. Irina Falconi (USA) vs Stephanie Dubois (CAN)

COURT 6 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Grega Zemlja (SLO) vs Lukas Lacko (SVK)
2. Tobias Kamke (GER) vs Blaz Kavcic (SLO)
3. Rebecca Marino (CAN) vs Patricia Mayr-Achleitner (AUT)

COURT 7 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Elena Vesnina (RUS) vs Laura Pous-Tio (ESP)
2. Ruben Bemelmans (BEL) vs Julien Benneteau (FRA)
3. Sandra Zahlavova (CZE) vs Iveta Benesova (CZE)
4. Kai-Chen Chang (TPE) vs Marina Erakovic (NZL)

COURT 8 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Shahar Peer (ISR) [22]vs Ksenia Pervak (RUS)
2. Frederico Gil (POR) vs Dudi Sela (ISR)
3. Olivier Rochus (BEL) vs Kenny De Schepper (FRA)

COURT 9 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Anastasia Pivovarova (RUS) 1vs Anna Tatishvili (GEO)
2. Igor Kunitsyn (RUS) vs Igor Sijsling (NED)
3. Jaroslav Pospisil (CZE) vs Victor Hanescu (ROU)

COURT 10 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Sorana Cirstea (ROU) vs Pauline Parmentier (FRA)
2. Martin Fischer (AUT) vs Simone Bolelli (ITA)
3. Monica Niculescu (ROU) vs Sybille Bammer (AUT)

COURT 14 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Fabio Fognini (ITA) vs Milos Raonic (CAN) [31]
2. Christina McHale (USA) vs Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) [28]
3. Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR) vs Daniel Cox (GBR)
4. Vera Dushevina (RUS) vs Roberta Vinci (ITA) [29]

COURT 15 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) vs Denis Istomin (UZB)
2. Sara Errani (ITA) vs Kaia Kanepi (EST) [17]
3. Arnaud Clement (FRA) vs Lukasz Kubot (POL)

COURT 16 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) [30] vs Rainer Schuettler (GER)
2. Juan Ignacio Chela (ARG) [25] vs Marinko Matosevic (AUS)
3. Vania King (USA) vs Petra Martic (CRO)

COURT 17 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Donald Young (USA) vs Alex Bogomolov Jr (USA)
2. Ayumi Morita (JPN) vs Tamira Paszek (AUT)
3. Vesna Dolonts (RUS) vs Nadia Petrova (RUS)
4. Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) [25] vs Vitalia Diatchenko (RUS)

COURT 19 - 12.00 NOON START

Gilles Muller (LUX) vs Tommy Haas (GER)
Jill Craybas (USA) 1vs Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU)
Robin Haase (NED) vs Pere Riba (ESP)

MATCHES TO BE ARRANGED - NOT BEFORE 5.00 PM
Petra Kvitova (CZE) [8] vs Alexa Glatch (USA)
Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) [32]vs Camila Giorgi (ITA)

GENTLEMEN AND LADIES SINGLES LUCKY LOSER SIGN-INS CLOSE AT 11:30 AM

The Committee, while adhering as closely as possible to the order of play given, is unable to guarantee that it will be maintained in its entirety. This may result in matches being moved from one court to another. Andrew Jarrett - Referee

Roland Garros 2011 Parting Glances

by Craig Hickman


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We said the women's field was wide open, and it was.

Or was it?

After all, the defending champion lost to this year's Australian Open runner up, neither of whom earned a spot in my original poll.

Why?


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Because I felt there was no way Francesca Schiavone would come anywhere close to defending her title, what with her inability to make a final anywhere in the world since she won this thing, and because Li Na has been struggling since Melbourne.

Who would have thought Madame Li (Forty Deuce gets that credit) would make back-to-back Slam finals and make history (again) by claiming this one?

I didn't think so.

But at the end of the day, while her victory may have come as a surprise, the draw wasn't, ultimately, that wide open. We simply overlooked these finalists for the winners of the lead-up events and Kim Clijsters. Woe is us.

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For all the talk (and talk and talk talk talk) of American ineptitude on clay, John Isner took two sets off the eventual champion. I'm going to say that again: John Isner took two tiebreak sets off the eventual champion. Even the great Roger Federer couldn't do that. And Bjorn Fratangelo (what a name), a young man from Pennsylvania, won the Boys' title.


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Chew on that.

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The Tennis Channel gave good coverage. ESPN? Not so much. NBC? It's all already been criticized, but if you treat tennis like a bad stepchild then you really ought not be a parent. Enough said.

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It almost feels like Caroline Wozniacki never even played this Slam. She was drubbed what seems like a tournament ago. Some like to say I hate on her. I simply find her lacking credibility as the tour's top player specifically and as a sports phenomenon generally. After her drubbing, she called herself a "great player." I think she has herself confused with a few of her friends on the WTA.

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Victoria Azarenka lost to the eventual champion (as did my pick Petra Kvitiva) so I won't be too hard on her this time. But she has now failed to advance past the quarterfinals of a Slam every time she's gotten there, and she's gotten there lots. Are we to start calling her Victoria Quarterenka?

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Truth be told, I want to see a French player win Roland Garros before I die. I don't know when I'm going to die, but given how much the French fans seem to support they're own players, I have a sneaking suspicion I'm going to die unfulfilled. At least Marion Bartoli, who made the final four before falling to the defending champion, gave me hope. And what tennis.

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I thought the men's final would have been better had Novak Djokovic found a way to deal with the pressure of playing for the No. 1 ranking in the semis. I know, I know. Conventional wisdom says Federer played a brilliant match to end The Streak. I didn't quite see it that way. He served superbly. That I concede. But winning a match behind a great first serve hasn't ever earned Andy Roddick a whole lot of kudos, so I'm not exactly sure why Federer got so many this go around. To my eyes, Djokovic simply couldn't handle it all. And that's okay. You'd think he would've received a little more crowd support (just a little bit) during his match if for nothing else bulletting tennis to the top of the sports headlines for such an incredible run.

Still, no need to wax poetic about Federer's game despite the knee-jerk reaction to do so. During today's final, a tennis player even tweeted that Nadal and Federer are simply head and shoulders above the rest of the field. Really? I shook my head. It's a cliche that doesn't hold water anymore. Not right now anyway. I'm not talking about overall achievements. I'm talking about recent play. Before today, Federer hadn't contested a Slam final in more than a year and only won a single title in 2011. Djokovic was denied a quarterfinal by a drama queen and while we'll never know if those 4 days off mattered much to his rhythm in the end, it probably gave him more time to think. Those are the breaks. But let's not so quickly forget what the world No. 2 achieved going back to Davis Cup last year. Just because the Great One finally defeated the Unbeatable One (after losing three times in a row to him this year) doesn't mean that the world No. 3 is currently anywhere above Djokovic by any 2011 measure, head or shoulder. A Nadal-Djokovic final would have been far more intriguing from first ball to last.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

See you on the lawns.

Roland Garros 2011: Men's Final Preview

FFT

by Mad Professah, contributing writer

Roger Federer SUI (3) vs. Rafael Nadal ESP (1). For the 25th time, the Spanish lefty and the Swiss righty who have dominated men's tennis for the last 7 years will meet in an ATP tour match, with Nadal maintaining a 2:1 winning ratio, 16-8. The two have met in 7 major finals (3 in Paris, 3 in London and 1 in Melbourne) so far, with Nadal leading 5-2 (only losing the 2006 Wimbledon and 2007 Wimbledon finals). The vast majority of their meetings have occurred in championship matches, often when the two were ranked #1 and #2 in the world. In these 18 finals, Nadal leads 12-6, and 9-2 in the clay court finals.

Federer won one of his best clay court matches ever on Friday when he ended Novak Djokovic's undefeated year with a 7-6(5) 6-3 3-6 7-6(5) victory. He served astonishingly well, with 65% first serves in and 18 aces (including one on match point) compared to a mere 2 double faults. Federer defended well, gliding around the court as if he was not a father of nearly 2-year-old twin girls and strongly hitting his topspin backhand down the line and knifing the backhand slice.

The perplexing problem is that the match up between Nadal's game on clay and Federer's game greatly favors the Spaniard. Nadal's topspin forehand jumps up high to Federer's backhand side, making it difficult for Federer to defend that side. Although Federer's forehand cross-court outmatches Nadal's backhand cross-court it is often very difficult for the Swiss player to win points that way due to Nadal's ferocious defensive skills. The two wins on clay that Federer has in his career over "The King of Clay" arguably came when Nadal was not at his best physically (2009 Madrid) or a court on which Federer was incredibly confident (2007 Hamburg). The last time they played the final in 2008, Nadal mercilessly pummeled the Swiss player, relegating him to a mere 4 games in a 3-set match, 6-1 6-3 6-0.

I do think that the match tomorrow will be their closest Roland Garros contest, maybe even a 4-set or 5-set affair, but in the end Nadal's 43-1 dominance on this court will prevail, allowing the World #1 to tie Borg's record of 6 clay court majors.

PREDICTION: Nadal.

Roland Garros 2011: Men's Semifinals Preview

by Mad Professah, contributing writer

Here are my predictions for the men's semifinals at Roland Garros for 2011. This year, I correctly predicted 1 of 2 women's semifinals, 3 of 4 women's quarterfinals and 2 of 3 men's quarterfinals. Last year I was correct in 2 of 2 2010 French Open men's semifinal predictions.

Rafael Nadal ESP (1) vs. Andy Murray GBR (4). The 5-time defending champion played his best tennis of the tournament against the only man who has ever beaten him at Roland Garros, Robin Soderling, in the quarterfinals, dismissing the Swede in straight sets 6-4 6-1 7-6(3). Nadal now has a 43-1 lifetime record on the clay courts in Paris, an astonishing 97.7% winning percentage. For that reason alone, one must consider him the favorite in his semifinal with Andy Murray. Murray looked good in his 7-6(2) 7-5 6-2 against Juan Ignacio Chela in the quarterfinals after surviving a near-death experience in his 5-set tussle with Viktor Troicki in the Round of 16. Head-to-head Nadal leads Murray 10-4 in the career matches, 3-2 in majors, and 3-0 on clay. Murray won a set when they played in Monaco this year and served for the match against Novak Djokovic in the Rome semifinals so his clay bona fides are legitimate. All that being said, Murray has almost no chance to win this match on Friday unless he plays the match of his life (which he has found it difficult to do on the big stage of the 3 major finals he's been in to date as well as the 2010 Wimbledon semifinal) and Nadal plays some of his worst tennis. Nadal is playing to reach his 6th final at Roland Garros in order to try and match Bjorn Borg's all-time record, and Murray is trying to reach his 1st final in Paris. The difference is clear. PREDICTION: Nadal.

Roger Federer SUI (3) vs. Novak Djokovic SRB (2). "The best player of today against the best player in history," says World #1 Rafael Nadal. This will be the most mouth-wateringly epic major semifinal since the last mouth-wateringly epic major semifinal these two played at the 2011Australian Open and the one before that at the 2010 US Open where Federer had two match points and lost. There's no question that there is a lot of history on the line, but this time it is mostly on the shoulders of the 24-year-old, not the 29-year-old holder of 16-major singles titles. First, there's the amazing winning streak of 41 matches won in a row in 2011 (I think counting the two Davis Cup matches he won at the end of the year when you don't get prize money or ranking points for those wins is simply silly). If Djokovic wins on Friday he will equal John McEnroe's open era record of the best ever start to a tennis season. Second, the World #1 ranking is in play and for the first time since 2004 someone other than Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer could reach the top spot. Becoming #1 is always a momentous point in any great player's career, and this achievement would be one he has had to wait for, for a long, long time. Third, Djokovic is trying to reach his first ever non-hard court major final, to prove that he is really an all-surfaces player. Djokovic reached this point through a walkover when handsome trickster Fabio Fognini withdrew. Federer reached his record 26th major semifinal in the last 7 years by dismissing a still-improving Gael Monfils in front of a rowdy Parisian crowd 6-4 6-3 7-6(3). Federer is in the unusual position of trying to be the spoiler, but he appears to be relishing the challenge. Federer has a 13-9 career head-to-head edge over Djokovic, including 2-1 on clay but a scant 4-3 in majors. However, the Swiss Great is playing some of his best tennis this year and has not dropped a set. He is also the last person to have beaten Novak Djokovic in an ATP Tour match, on Saturday November 27, 2010, exactly 188 days ago. That streak will last a little longer. PREDICTION: Djokovic.

Roland Garros 2011: Men's Quarterfinals Preview

by Mad Professah, contributing writer

Here are my predictions for the men's quarterfinals at the 2011 French Open. Last year, I correctly predicted 2 of 4 men's quarterfinals correctly.

Rafael Nadal ESP (1) vs. Robin Soderling SWE (5). The dream quarterfinal. Rafael Nadal has only ever lost one match at Roland Garros, and it was to his quarterfinal opponent, the World #5 tall, muscular Swede Robin Soderling. He defeated the 4-time defending champion in 2009, in one of the greatest upsets in sports of the last decade; Soderling followed up that upset by repeating it the following year by beating the defending champion Roger Federer in the quarterfinals to end Federer's incredible streak of 23 consecutive Grand Slam semifinals. Nadal does not appear to be playing his best tennis this year but still must be considered the favorite considering his overall clay court record. However, Nadal's confidence must be shaken by his two recent losses to Djokovic in two clay court Masters finals this season. Soderling does not lack confidence, and if he plays his best tennis against Nadal's not-best tennis, he will repeat his 2009 result. If Nadal plays at his 2010 level, then the defending champion should get through and possibly win a 6th Roland Garros title, tying Bjorn Borg's record. PREDICTION: Soderling in 4 sets.

Andy Murray GBR (4) vs. Juan Ignacio Chela ARG. Andy Murray's dream draw turned into a nightmare during his 3rd round victory over a lefty qualifier Michael Berrer when he badly twisted his ankle in a 3-set win. He started his next round gingerly, losing the first 5 games of his 4th round match with Serbian Viktor Troicki. The World #4 came within one point of drawing even in the first set but ultimately ended up losing the first two sets 6-4 6-4. However, his movement and attitude visibly improved and he was able to force a fifth and deciding set before darkness fell. I presume he will be able to win the deciding fifth set when play resumes on Tuesday and should have no problem dismissing the 31-year-old Argentine clay court specialist playing in his 3rd career major quarterfinal on Thursday. PREDICTION: Murray in 3 sets.

Gael Monfils FRA (9) vs. Roger Federer SUI (3). Federer continues to write his name in the tennis record books by reaching his 28th consecutive major quarterfinal with an efficient dispatch of countryman Stanislas Wawrinka in the 4th round. While Djokovic is winning universal acclaim and attention by continuing his flawless 2011 season, Federer continues to demonstrate why he has been at the upper echelon of men's tennis for the last seven consecutive years. There are few players in the Top 10 who have even played 28 consecutive major tournaments, and Federer has been in the last 8 or better in 28 consecutive major tournaments. His opponent is the Pride of France, "La Monf" who is in his 3rd quarterfinal at Roland Garros in 4 years. Unfortunately for the Frenchman, he has never won a match on clay against Federer. In fact, last fall in front of a Paris crowd, Monfils won his first match ever (in 6 tries) against the Swiss Great when he saved an incredible 5 match points and went on to win one of the best matches of the year in three tiebreak sets. However, getting through a tough 5-set against the always hard-to-beat David Ferrer in the 4th round was another indicator that the excessively talented, prodigiously athletic Monfils' results may start matching his potential. Federer is yet to lose a set in his 2011 appearance at Roland Garros, and while I expect that streak to end, I also expect he will again find a way to yet another major semifinal and a historic showdown with Novak Djokovic. PREDICTION: Federer in 4 sets.

Fabio Fognini ITA vs. Novak Djokovic SRB (2). The quarterfinal that wasn't. The puckishly handsome Italian showed he was more than just a pretty face by outlasting clay court specialist Albert Montanes 11-9 in the fifth set despite being unable to move due to suffering a muscle tear (or cramps?) in his leg at 5-6, 15-30. Fognini basically started blasting winners into all the corners on the court to erase 5 match points and controversially emerged with the win. However, he knew that he would have no chance against the red-hot Serbian who has yet to lose a match in 2011 and thus withdrew (on advice of his doctors, who confirmed a 1cm muscle tear via MRI). This is both good news and bad news for Djokovic. It means that he is at least one round further in the tournament than he was last year, which is good news for his campaign to become World #1. He just needs to win one more match to reach his first French Open final and he will attain this goal of being acknowledged (by the computer) as the #1 player in the world. All Djokovic has to do is either beat 16-time major champion Roger Federer or hometown favorite Gael Monfils coming off the biggest win of his career in the semifinals on Friday. Getting to this point via walkover is bad news for Djokovic because he doesn't get credit for the win, so his streak remains at 41-0 for 2011 and that means he can only break John McEnroe's 1984 streak of 42-0 by winning the entire tournament. Plus it means he has a bizarre 4-day break in the middle of a major tournament after playing 3 consecutive days. It will be interesting to see what, if any, these factors have on Djokovic's play in the semifinal. I suspect nothing will deny Djokovic's date with destiny.

Madrid Semifinals Preview

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Victoria Azarenka of Belarus celebrates match point over Lucie Safarova of Czech Republic during day seven of the Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open Tennis on May 6, 2011 in Madrid, Spain.

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I offer up this drive by before heading out to the field.

Today, we've got a maturing Vika against a red-hot Julia Goerges, who disposed again of the computer's world No. 1 in three sets en route to this semifinal. I'm calling this a toss up, though a Goerges win would be the most exciting. Then we've got a bouncing-back Li Na facing off against a bouncing-back Petra Kvitova. Both these women have struggled since Melbourne, with the younger getting some of her fire back with Fed Cup victories. Both my head and my heart say Petra. I hope her head and heart say the same.

For the men, Rafael Nadal will do what he almost always does to Roger Federer. If it goes three sets, I'll be shocked. And Novak Djokovic should have his way with surprise semifinalist Thomaz "I Can Beat Anybody" Bellucci.

What say you?

Madrid Open Thread

by Craig Hickman

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Thomaz Bellucci celebrates his victory against Czech Tomas Berdych after their match of the Madrid Masters on May 06, 2011 at the Caja Magic sports complex in Madrid. Bellucci won 7-6, 6-3, becoming the first Brazilian to contest a Masters semifinal since Gustavo Kuerten in Miami 2003.

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Reuters

David Ferrer of Spain returns the ball to Adrian Mannarino of France during their Madrid Open tennis match May 3, 2011.

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Potatoes in the clay today. More beets, spinach, arugula, peas, and lettuce too. Cheated the weather a bit and buried some tomato plants in the ground encircled by used tires. Creates heat. Shields wind. I'll cover the plants with recycled water cooler bottles after the rain that comes tonight ceases on Sunday. Tiny little greenhouses.

I caught a glimpse of Juan Martin del Potro's match today. Saw him injury his hip. He better be okay. The ATP needs him healthy. His forehand is outrageous again. Saw Fernando Verdasco upset too.

Talk about the tennis you saw.

I'm back to the field.

Djokovic Still Unbeaten In 2011

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by MAD PROFESSAH

Novak Djokovic won his 5th title in 2011, improving his consecutive series of 2011 wins to 27, by defeating Feliciano Lopez 7-6(4) 6-2 to win the Serbian Open. He has also won the Australian Open (d. Murray), the Dubai Duty Free Open (d. Federer), the BNP Paribas Open (d. Nadal) and the Sony Ericsson Open (d. Nadal) this year.

The last person to beat Djokovic was Roger Federer, whom he has beaten 3 times since his 6-1 6-4 loss in the ATP World Tour finals in November 2010.

Tweet Of The Day

Lucky No. 7

by Craig Hickman


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Am I suggesting that Rafael Nadal is lucky for winning his historic seventh consecutive title in the French Riviera today? Given the way David Ferrer tossed away an opportunity to at least push the match to a third set, then sure, why not.

Mostly, though, Nadal is lucky to be winning anything at all without being able to rely on his serve. All year, it's been a problem. Only once, when facing triple break point early in the third against Tomas Berdych in Miami, did his serve save ultimately save the day. But in the finals of the three consecutive Masters 1000 events he's contested in 2011, his serve has been woeful. Novak Djokovic got the best of him in the first two, though it took three sets both times, on a surface where having a woeful serve can keep you from winning.

But on this day, on this surface, against this player, Nadal showed once again why clay is his very best friend. Even with a faltering serve and his tentative approach to the match -- there was a Shot Spot graphic that showed him striking his shots from behind the baseline 90% of the time -- he knows the nuances of the clay better than any other, can exploit all the angles with nary a thought. At once impressive and boring. This is nothing new. I wrote about it years ago already.

While it's good to see the world No. 1 finally get a victory under his belt -- he hasn't won a title since Tokyo last October -- I was hoping for a new champion here this year. I remain hopeful that the Red Brick Wall won't run the table on clay this season.

Who's going to stop him?

Monte-Carlo 2011 Semifinals Open Thread

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Spain's Rafael Nadal hits a return to his opponent Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia during the Monte-Carlo ATP Masters Series Tournament tennis match, on April 15, 2011 in Monaco.

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Are we getting ready for an all-Spanish final?

I think not. Some of you know I'm a terrible predictor of such things, but I'm stepping way out of school and telling you that not only won't there be an all-Spanish final at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters this year, but there won't be a Spaniard in the final at all.

Now I'm going to run and duck for cover. I need coffee.

Made My Day

by Craig Hickman

The 2011 Sony Ericsson Open is now history. Before play was officially underway, Kim Clijsters, Andy Roddick, Caroline Wozniacki and Ryan Harrison supported the Greater Miami Tennis and Education Foundation as part of Cliff Drysdale's fundraiser at the Ritz-Carlton of Key Biscayne inside the tennis center that bears his name.

Last year, Clijsters and Roddick considered the same event their good luck charms as both went on to win the Sony Ericsson Open. I guess it's true, then, that lightning doesn't strike twice in the same place. But the defending champions had a great time. Seeing tennis players doing what they love to do without the stress of a match was a beautiful thing.

The Ritz-Carlton of Key Biscayne is more like a palace than a hotel. I couldn't help but thinking we were approaching royalty as we drove into the gated grounds. Perfectly designed and manicured landscaping all around, we finally found the tennis center valet. Once on the courts, I was able to see what Serena Williams once said about green clay being slower and grittier than the crushed red brick used in Europe and South America. It almost looks like gravel. On one of the outside courts, I recognized former Miami runner-up Guillermo Cañas playing a double's match with other members.



The staff at the Ritz-Carlton gave customer service new meaning. Attentive, genuinely nice, they made us feel at home. Perfect weather, live musicians, an open bar, passed hors d'oeuvres, and the chance to test-drive Cadillac's new models would have attracted anyone who wanted to support a worthy cause.

Even with the great atmosphere and fun tennis exhibition, the event highlight came at the end when I approached Drysdale, who'd kept the proceedings efficient and light-hearted with his infectious personality and wit. He's practically a stand up comedian.

"Just in case I never have another opportunity to say this to you, I just wanted to let you know that you are the voice of tennis for me. Didn't matter where I was in the house, if I heard your voice on the television, I knew tennis was on. I enjoy your commentary, your humor, and the personality you bring in the booth is always a perfect foil for your colleagues."

His face lit up more than it naturally does. "Wow. Thank you so much for telling me that. You have made my day," he replied with an outstretched hand. Next thing I knew, he touched the side of my face as though I were his son. He made my day, too.

Michelle, the media relations director who invited us to cover the event, insisted that I pose with Drysdale for a photo. As we posed, I told him of my sister's home in South Africa and JD, who's originally from the Netherlands, asked him if he spoke any Afrikaans, the Dutch dialect spoken by the Nederlanders who settled there centuries ago. Personal connections make every experience more memorable.

The entire event benefited the Greater Miami Tennis and Education Foundation and like last year, kids from the foundation attended the event as ball boys and girls. They earned that privilege based on their report cards, attendance, leadership and other factors. The $13,000 raised will benefit these socially and economically challenged Miami children, will help them learn tennis and valuable life skills by participating in free, affordable GMTEF tennis and education programs throughout the school year, as well as during the summer.

Next year's event promises to be even better.

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Video Highlights

Best In Show

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Not sure how he's doing it, but he's doing it mighty mighty well. Novak Djokovic won his 26th straight match in 2011 defeating Rafael Nadal in the Miami final 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(4). It was only fitting for such a match to end in a tiebreak, but as soon as it got there, it was Djoke's to lose.

Confidence is funny that way.

Djoke has it, Rafa doesn't. I forget how difficult it is to remember how to win when returning to competitive play from even a short injury absence. Rafa's serve and return of serve didn't allow him to control many of the rallies and, by the end of this dramatic match, he found himself doubled over gasping for oxygen in the smothering Miami heat.

If winning is habit forming, Djoke's an addict. His defense continues to elicit gasps. There was a point when Rafa struck a backhand so hard and flat into the corner, you just didn't figure Djoke would get a racquet on it, and even if he did, the reply would be something upon which Rafa could pounce. Not so. Djoke simply flicked the ball right of the baseline, effortlessly, it seemed, changing its direction to down the line, and Rafa had to scrambled to the other side of the court just to get his own racquet on the return shot. Djoke ultimately won the point, a microcosm of the match.

Funny how hype works. Back when the Serbian was hyped as the Next Big Thing before he had the results to back it up, I was flummoxed. Now, while some would suggest Djoke is the true ATP world No. 1, there's another emerging group of fans, some of whom also call themselves "journalists", who are suggesting that Djoke will never reach the heights of Nadal and Roger Federer and that his rivalry with Nadal will never transcend tennis the way Fedal has.

Tennis fans are strange that way.

Like him or not, Djokovic's 26-0 start in 2011 is historic. As he alluded to in his pre-tournament interview, he has come through some personal, emotional issues and feels he's now free to produce his best tennis on the court. He's always maturing into a true ambassador or the sport. While I don't believe he deserves to be called the "real No. 1" by anyone, that ranking my come, it may not, he's certainly cemented his place at No. 2. As for his rivalry with Nadal, I'm going to quote Brad Gilbert, who gets it right in this tweet during the match:

I know they don't want to admit it out loud, but this is the new rivalry, definitely best in show.

I wonder who the "they" are in this quote. His fellow pundits in the commentary booth? The "journalists" who promote the sport to the detriment of real reporting? Whoever he means, I find it most interesting that he knows that they don't want to say so out loud.

Ultimately it doesn't really matter. The proof is in the witnessing. The fans who were chanting both players' names yesterday afternoon weren't trying to pull a listless player getting his ass handed to him into the match so they might actually see a match, as they did in the Fedal semifinal. These fans were jacked up because their players, both of them, were putting out. Best in show indeed.

Bring on the clay.

RafaNole, Part XXV

The most competitive rivalry in men's tennis. Overshadowed by Fedal (for good reasons), Rafael Nadal vs. Novak Djokovic is the most competitive rivalry in men's tennis. They've played the other more times than any two active players, and I suspect if both remain healthy throughout the year, they'll face each other in many more finals. While they've so far only contested one Slam final at last year's US Open, which Rafa won in four sets to complete the Career Slam, many of their encounters have been brutal battles, despite some of the straight-set scorelines, the ultimate winner in question till the bitter end. Who can forget that spectacular 2009 Madrid semifinal that Rafa won 7-6(9) in the third? Djoke held 4 match points, if memory serves, and Rafa denied them all. That was easily the best best-of-three match that year. Shortly thereafter, Rafa left the tour to heal his knees and Djoke's tennis teetered between brilliant and woeful, losing early in Paris as well as his next two finals.



A fortnight ago, against Rafa in the Indian Wells final, Djoke rallied from a set down to earn his second Masters shield in the desert and keep his 2011 record unblemished. Today, the rematch is on. Djoke knows how to win here; he took the title in 2007. If Rafa has turned his first serve around, as he did when facing 0-40 early in the final set of his quarterfinal against Tomas Berdych, I suspect he'll put a stop to the Serbian steamroller. The World No. 2's form has dipped over his last few matches while Rafa's has risen. The World No. 1 has never won in Miami so I believe he'll be extra motivated to finally get to the winner's circle, even if it takes three sets.

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Watch the Sony Ericsson Open men's final live on CBS at 1:oo EDT

Circle Closed

JD Blom

Roger Federer talks to the press at the Sony Ericsson Open on March 23, 2011 in Miami, Florida.

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He looked a bit like Kim Clijsters during and after her loss to Victoria Azarenka the other night: detached. Like parents who realize their children are more important than the thrasing they just endured between the lines.

Or perhaps, in Federer's case, he simply was demoralized. It was a bit sad to witness. Rafael Nadal made it seem far too easy. Same way he did 7 years ago.

If Rafa is indeed in Raja's head, it had to have happened instantly. I remember there were murmurings that Raja was sick that calm, humid night in Miami 7 years ago. I don't remember where those murmurings came from as I was posting about on tennis forums all over the place, but they seemed there to comfort those who needed to believe the outcome of the match would have been different had Raja been 100% healthy. A year later, the next time they played, Rafa took the first two sets from Raja in the Miami final, though he ultimately lost the match.

And so it was this storied rivalry began with Rafa winning the first four sets. Talk about setting a tone.

Tonight, safe to say, the circle closed.

Will they ever play another important match? Will Federer settle for third or fourth best? Will he win another Slam? Who can see the future?

Savannah said that 2011 would be all about Roger Federer.

I'm beginning to see her point.