Today was the day where the Nadal ping pong ball was going to land in the quarter of one of the top 4 seeds. As the number 5 seed, Nadal had an equal shot of playing Djokovic, Federer, Ferrer, or Murray, and wound up with third seed, Roger Federer. Let's see how everyone else did.
Even though it's about a week before Wimbledon, folks like to speculate who will win. Let's look at each of the "big four" (Djokovic, Federer, Murray, Nadal). Technically, Ferrer is number 4, and where Nadal lands will greatly impact the chances the rest have. Rafael Nadal Rafa has had the hottest season in his career,
With Andy Murray withdrawing days before the start of the French Open, Roger Federer suddenly moved to the second seed, and that meant he didn't have to see Novak Djokovic until the finals. As the third seed, he could have met both Djokovic and Nadal to win an elusive French. But with Nadal as the
The big question, heading into the Australian Open, with Nadal out due to a stomach virus, is which half Andy Murray, the number 3 seed, would fall. He's in Federer's half. This puts David Ferrer, the fourth seed, in Djokovic's half. Things aren't all rosy for the top seeds. The high seed for Djokovic in
With the start of the new year, the tennis cycle starts afresh. It was only about 6 weeks ago that the last official ATP event was played, namely, the Davis Cup finals. Since then, some players have used the extra time for exhibitions. Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Juan Martin del Potro, and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga were
Let's take a quick look at some of the more interesting matches from Day 1. Andy Murray vs. Alex Bogomolov Jr. Last year, Murray had part 2 of a post-Australian Open loss funk. He had lost to Novak Djokovic, then lost to two "American" "juniors" as in Alex Bogomolov Jr. in Miami and Donald Young, Jr.
With Roger Federer's recent ascendancy to number 1, there was one thing, for sure. Djokovic and Federer wouldn't be in the same half of the draw. That only leaves where Andy Murray falls in the draw. Neither option is good, and it looks like, unlike Wimbledon, Murray has to go through both Federer and Djokovic
The two week period between the French Open and Wimbledon is among the shortest in sports that feature major events like the Grand Slams in tennis. The contrast of the dirt, which requires patience and topspin, and high-kicking balls, to the fast, low-bouncing surface of grass was so extreme that it was considered a rarity
The French Open (referred to as Roland Garros by the locals) released its main draw. Once again, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer are in the same half of the draw. Novak's section has some solid, but not overly tough players. Hewitt is in his section, but Hewitt is not a noted clay courter, and he's
Let's take a look at how the top four are faring then quickly talk about the other players that might make noise realizing, of course, that someone might play better than expected (or worse). Novak Djokovic This is difficult. Djokovic did not play that well after the US Open. Most of Djokovic's losses came after
