Who I want to win: Rafael Nadal Who I think Will Win: Novak Djokovic Who could also win: Delpo Who I want to win: Azarenka Who I think will win: Serena Who could also win: ????
I've said it before, I have no ill will towards the sport of tennis. I enjoy playing. Just can't watch it.
Unofficial Analysis: First Quadrant: #1 seed: Rafael Nadal #4 seed: Delpo Other Notables: #22 seed: Grigor #27 seed: Paire #25 seed: Monfils Analysis: Nadal actually gets a tough first round matchup against the unpredictable but highly talented hometown boy Bernard Tomic (I really like Tomic as a player...bummer he got this draw). If Nadal gets by Tomic, he'll coast in the second round, and then potentially get Gael Monfils in the third round. Monfils pushed him to three in their tune-up tourney, but I just don't see Monfils beating Nadal in a five set match. And if Nadal gets past that, he'll be good until the final of his quadrant (the quarterfinals), where he could potentially get matched up against Delpo. I think this is going to be a breakout year for Delpo, who finished the year 2013 strong and won his tune-up tourney in Sydney. It's tough to pick against Nadal, but Delpo certainly has the ability beat him. Sucks that Rhyne drew Delpo in the first round. He has zero chance of winning that match. Second Quadrant: #4 seed: Andy Murray #6 seed: Roger Federer Other notables: #10 seed: Tsonga #31 seed: Verdasco Analysis: This quadrant is the most wide open of the bunch, I think. I have no idea what to think about Federer who can still beat anybody in a five set match not named Nadal or Djokovic, but who can also lose to just about anybody. I would peg Murray as the odds-on favorite -- and I guess he really does have to be considered that -- but he has had poor showings since coming back from his injury, and so I don't know what kind of performance we're going to get out of him. Don't be surprised if Tsonga comes out of this one. 3rd Quadrant: #3 seed: Ferrer #7 seed: Berdych Other Notables: #20 seed: Janowicz Analysis: Berdych has a cake draw here. He really shouldn't get tested until the quarters. There, he'l play either Ferrer or Janowicz...more than likely Ferrer. And I think he'll beat Ferrer. All things considered, this is probably the weakest quadrant. 4th Quadrant: #2 seed: Djokovic #8 seed: Wawrinka Other Notables: #9 seed: Gasquet #23 seed: Gulbis #28 seed: Pospisil Analysis: Djokovic should roll pretty easily until the fourth round where he could get matched up against the volatile but dangerous Gulbis. But I just don't see a realistic possibility that Djokovic loses until the final of this quadrant, where he could get matched up against Stan "The Man" Wawrinka. We know that Wawrinka can give him a tough match, and has come very close to beating him the last two times they've met in majors. Wawrinka doesn't exactly have a bye till the quarters, though. He could get tested by Pospisil in round 3, and then Gasquet and his vials of cocaine in round 4. If Wawrinka stumbles before the quarterfinals, you may as well just put Djokovic semis as Stan is the only one in this quadrant that imho has a realistic possibility of beating Djoker. Faint-hearted Predictions: Nadal v. Tsonga Djokovic v. Berdych Nadal v. Djokovic Djokovic
Tennis fan or not, mad biggie ups be deserved by former Vol Rhyne Williams, who gave the third best player in the world all he could handle. Rhyne took the first set, but then dropped the next three, though all of them were hard fought and competitive. He is prone to mental lapses, and that's really all that's holding him back from being a top 20 player. His serve is filthier than your mother, and his forehand is just straight disgusting. [video=youtube;_UU32FsgKDk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UU32FsgKDk[/video]
#VFL It appears to be very very hot down there, too. Gotta be brutal on the players, especially if it goes 5 sets.
Yeah, it was unruly yesterday. I think there are three more days of just ridiculous heat, and then it drops down to just being really hot per usual. I was impressed with Rhyne. He appeared to still have plenty of bounce in his step while Delpo looked like he was feeling the effects of the heat. I thought if Rhyne could push it to a fifth, he might pull off the upset of the year. He nearly did. He got broke at 4-4 in the fourth after a couple deuces, and then Delpo served it out for the win.
Fed just played the best match he's played in years against someone worth a damn. I think he's got the edge against Murray, and I think Nadal gets him in the semis.
