Sunday, January 31, 2010

How many more for Roger Federer?

http://blog.taragana.com/sports/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/roger-federer.jpgWell, after the US Open final, I predicted Fed might never win another slam - so much for that! I am redeemed a little bit, though, by having predicted he'd get one or two more at most, and I'll tentatively stick with that for the moment - the competition is still great, and his occasional inconsistency (as in the Davydenko match) is bound to start biting him soon. On the other hand, he proved today that he still has the world-beating game when he feels like it, so anything is possible!

So, I'll repetitively predict he'll get one, maybe two more slams at best, most likely at Wimbledon - the competition is strongest on the hardcourts, and his chances at Roland Garros depend very much on how Nadal and Del Potro fare. What does everyone else think?

Federer Wins Fourth Australian Open, 16th Major Singles Title

http://www.atpworldtour.com/~/media/36165D96E5A24DCEBAF92CC5F8EE9331.ashxContesting his 22nd career Grand Slam singles final, World No. 1 Roger Federer collected his 16th major title with a 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(11) win over No. 5 seed Andy Murray at the Australian Open on Sunday.

The 28-year-old Swiss master, appearing in his 18th final from the past 19 Grand Slam events, notched his fifth win over Murray from 11 contests in the two-hour, 41-minute clash as he regained the title he lost to Rafael Nadal last year. It was a repeat of the 2008 US Open final (Murray's first in a major), which Federer also won in three straight sets.

Federer becomes the fifth man to win at least four Australian Open titles (2004, 2006, 2007, 2010) and only the second to do so at Melbourne Park alongside Andre Agassi. It is his first Grand Slam title won as a father, with his wife Mirka giving birth to twin girls six months ago.

"Coming here at the beginning of the year and playing so well, it's a beautiful feeling," said Federer, who edged ahead of Pete Sampras to win a record 15th major at Wimbledon last year. "I definitely had to play some of my best tennis tonight to come through. That was clearly the case."

Friday, January 15, 2010

Top Players Projected Route in AO 2010

http://www.topnews.in/files/Australian-open-logo.jpgProjected Routes with possible/ example opponents:
FEDERER R1 Andreev; R2 Chela/ Hanuscu; R3 Oscar H/ Montanes; R4 Hewitt/ Simon/ Baghdatis; QF Verdasco/ Davydenko/ Ferrero; SF Djokovic (or Tsonga/ Haas/ Soderling); F Nadal/ Delpo/ Murray

DJOKOVIC: Easy first week? R4 Youzhny/ Gasquet/ Robredo; QF Tsonga/ Haas / Soderling; SF Federer/ Verdasco/ Davydenko; F Delpo/ Nadal/ Murray

DEL POTRO: R1 Russell; R2 Blake/ Clement; R3 Troicki?; R4 Cilic/ Wawrinka; QF Roddick/ Gonzo; SF Nadal/ Murray; F Fed/ Djoko

MURRAY: R1 Qual; R2 Gicquel/ Bolelli; R3 Melzer; R4 Ferrer/ Monfils; QF Stepanek/ Karlovic/ Nadal; SF Delpo/ Roddick; F Fed/ Djoko

NADAL: R1 Luczak; R2 Mayer/ Lacko; R3 Isner/Kohlschreiber/ Zeballos; R4 Ljubicic/ Fish/ Stepanek/ Karlovic; QF Murray/ Monfils/ Ferrer; SF Del Po/ Roddick; F Fed/ Djoko

Also of note is a potential Roddick vs Gonzales in the 4th round (last 16) with the winner potentially playing Cilic or Del Potro.

I know there are other posts about the draw but I thought summarising the top players routes all together would be helpful.

I also thought that it would be useful to show more than one possible opponent where there isn't a clear favourite.

John Isner wins his maiden ATP title

http://www.atpworldtour.com/~/media/364E8975FB7F4B49BD77BF1EF4863FEE.ashx
John Isner hung tough to win his first ATP title by defeating Arnaud Clement in 3 sets [the last set won in a tiebreaker].Isner had a great run in the tournament where he defeated 3 top seeds before reaching the finals.American John Isner upset his third seeded player at the Heineken Open, defeating No. 8 Albert Montanes of Spain 6-2, 7-6(5) to book his place in Saturday’s final at the ATP World Tour 250 tennis tournament in Auckland.

For those who forgot its John Isner who defeated Andy Roddick in US Open 2009.