First round
Nadal over Dolgopolov in 3, Sousa over Pella in 5
Jaziri over Youzhny in 4, Gasquet over Seppi in 4
Shapovalov over Millman in 4, Harrison over Marterer in 5
Bhambri over Lu in 3, Sock over Zopp in 3
Schwartzman over Hemery in 3, Basic over Pavlasek in 4
Fabbiano over Ebden in 3, Kohlschreiber over Coric in 4
Lopez over Stakhovsky in 3, F. Mayer over M. Zverev in 4
Bedene over Cuevas in 5, Anderson over Lorenzi in 4
Cilic over Duckworth in 3, Sandgren over Hurkacz in 3
Struff over Donskoy in 4, Mannarino over Johnson in 5
Fognini over Andujar in 4, Ymer over Sela in 4
Fucsovics over Pospisil in 4, Edmund over De Minaur in 4
Isner over Rubin in 4, Zeballos over Sugita in 4
Herbert over Polansky in 3, Berdych over Chardy in 3
Ramos-Vinolas over Kukushkin in 5, Ruud over Thompson in 4
L. Mayer over Benneteau in 4, Del Potro over Mahut in 3
Goffin over Haase in 3, Karlovic over Moutet in 4
Klizan over Djere in 3, Monfils over Benchetrit in 3
Tomic over Kyrgios in 4, Cecchinato over Copil in 4
Bellucci over Delbonis in 5, Carreno Busta over Kovalik in 3
Bautista Agut over Istomin in 3, Giraldo over Baghdatis in 3
Ferrer over Munar in 4, Djokovic over Dutra Silva in 3
Verdasco over Nishioka in 4, Andreozzi over Fritz in 5
Jarry over Donaldson in 4, Dimitrov over Troicki in 3
Thiem over Ivashka in 3, Tsitsipas over Taberner in 3
Berrettini over Otte in 3, Gulbis over Muller in 4
Nishikori over Janvier in 3, Paire over Carballes Baena in 5
Simon over Basilashvili in 5, Tiafoe over Querrey in 4
Medvedev over Pouille in 4, Gojowyczk over Norrie in 4
Khachanov over Haider-Maurer in 3, Garcia-Lopez over Wawrinka in 5
Kudla over Dzumhur in 4, Albot over Barrere in 4
Lajovic over Vesely in 4, Zverev over Berankis in 3
Second round
Nadal over Sousa in 3
Gasquet over Jaziri in 5
Shapovalov over Harrison in 4
Sock over Bhambri in 4
Schwartzman over Basic in 3
Kohlschreiber over Fabbiano in 3
Lopez over F. Mayer in 4
Bedene over Anderson in 5
Cilic over Sandgren in 3
Mannarino over Struff in 5
Fognini over Ymer in 3
Edmund over Fucsovics in 3
Isner over Zeballos in 4
Berdych over Herbert in 4
Ramos-Vinolas over Ruud in 4
L. Mayer over Del Potro in 5
Goffin over Karlovic in 3
Klizan over Monfils in 3
Cecchinato over Tomic in 5
Carreno Busta over Bellucci in 4
Bautista Agut over Giraldo in 3
Djokovic over Ferrer in 3
Verdasco over Andreozzi in 4
Jarry over Dimitrov in 5
Thiem over Tsitsipas in 4
Gulbis over Berrettini in 4
Nishikori over Paire in 3
Tiafoe over Simon in 4
Medvedev over Gojowyczk in 4
Khachanov over Garcia-Lopez in 3
Kudla over Albot in 5
Zverev over Lajovic in 4
Third round
Nadal over Gasquet in 3
Shapovalov over Sock in 4
Schwartzman over Kohlschreiber in 5
Bedene over Lopez in 4
Cilic over Mannarino in 3
Fognini over Edmund in 4
Berdych over Isner in 4
Ramos-Vinolas over L. Mayer in 5
Goffin over Klizan in 3
Carreno Busta over Cecchinato in 3
Djokovic over Bautista Agut in 4
Verdasco over Jarry in 4
Thiem over Gulbis in 3
Nishikori over Tiafoe in 3
Khachanov over Medvedev in 4
Zverev over Kudla in 3
Fourth round
Nadal over Shapovalov in 3
Schwartzman over Bedene in 4
Cilic over Fognini in 5
Berdych over Ramos-Vinolas in 4
Goffin over Carreno Busta in 4
Djokovic over Verdasco in 4
Thiem over Nishikori in 4
Zverev over Khachanov in 4
Quarterfinals
Nadal over Schwartzman in 3
Cilic over Berdych in 4
Djokovic over Goffin in 5
Zverev over Thiem in 4
Semifinals
Nadal over Cilic in 3
Zverev over Djokovic in 4
Final
Nadal over Zverev in 3
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who ya got?
Ricky’s SF and Final predictions are the same as Tignor’s. Many are seeing Sasha reaching the final this time and a revived Djoko who can go far.
If Djoko can get that far, I don’t see why he’s losing to Sasha in the SF. I agree about Rafa over Cilic in the SF, as I don’t see anyone in good form (Delpo/Isner in particular) in his quarter so Cilic can get to the SF.
Sasha has potentially Thiem or Kei in QF, I think Kei plays better tennis than Thiem (who overplays by playing at Lyon this week), so it may be Kei vs Sasha. I think Kei may win that one should they meet, he takes the ball early and returns serves quite well, quick around the court too. I doubt Sasha will be physically fresh by then (in the QF).
Djoko is in the quarter where there’re plenty of Spaniards lurking around – Ferrer in R2, and Agut in R3, and even if we count out Dimi, there may be a Verdasco in R4. Goffin is playing relatively well and he had beaten Djoko on clay (in MC last year) so if it’s Goffin in the QF, it won’t be easy for Djoko. Goffin may even win that one if he can get that far.
If Goffin doesn’t lose early, I fancy him going far and meet Kei in the SF.
luckystar, I generally agree with your take on the draw. As for Verdasco lurking, he can be very hot or very flaky, largely depending on who he is playing, whether the month has an ‘R’ in it of what he had for breakfast. I totally agree with you that if Djokovic makes the SF then he’ll beat Sasha. Djoko played great against Rafa in Rome but up till then, he hadn’t looked anywhere close to his old self. I wait to see if the standard he showed against Rafa is here to stay.
I’m not into predictions, so I wait to see how it all unfolds.
I agree. RBA can be a challenge for Djoko,however I don’t know how he’ll show up mentally,after his mom passed away a few days ago. Goffin will be the real test for Djoko,no doubt. If he manages to get to the SF,he’ll definitely have a chance of taking out Zverev or whoever he meets there.
I’m not so optimistic about Thiem/Nishi taking out Zverev. If they met on the 4R as expected,I believe they’re gonna exhaust each other and the match will go to distance,leaving the winner totally empty for the QF.
Picking the finalist, who will emerge from the top half of the draw isn’t very challenging. Is there even one expert in the tennis universe who doesn’t back the King Of Clay? Only truly bizarre circumstances like food poisoning, a meteorite strike or the underestimated risk of spontaneous human combustion can stop him 😉 That said, shit happens and all matches need to be won fair and square. To win a tournament always requires a bit of luck, too – or at least the absense of bad luck.
But who will emerge from the bottom half, is the really intriguing question of this year’s FO. Zverev is a very obvious choice. He has matured into a truly formidable threat on all surfaces. He may well reach the No 1 ranking very soon. Time is on his side. Is it correct btw that Zverev, Fed and Rafa currently are the top three as far as masters success over the last 12 months is concerned? Could Zverev actually be the leader with two titles (Cincy and Madrid) and two finals (Miami and Rome) with Rafa being second (MC and Rome titles and runner-up in Shanghai)? Fed holds one title (Shanghai) right now and was runner-up at IW and Cincy. But it still remains to be seen how Zverev fares at the slams. I fully expect him to do better than last year, since his experience and fitness have improved considerably. But he has a tough draw and I don’t expect him to make the final this year. He has played a lot of matches lately, and he may run out of steam in Paris. I have not the foggiest idea who will emerge from the bottom half shark pool. Novak might actually have a decent chance, but I’m not sure about his overall fitness. Thiem may have compromised himself by playing an energy zapping warm-up event.
While everybody believes to know who will win the title, it’s totally open who will be the second finalist.
Lastly let me say that Rafa’s win in Rome was huge. Yes, he looked more vulnerable than in MC and barcelona and dropped two sets. But he beat a formidable assortment of players along the way. Foggie can always be challenging and can beat most opponents on a good day, the Djoker may still pose a bit of a problem in Rafa’s mind and has also considerably improved in Rome. It’s very good that Rafa hasn’t dropped a set the last two times they met. And Zverev is one of the future top dogs for sure and has been the second best clay courter this year. Therefore the Rome title tells us more about Rafa’s current level than the impressive record of winning 50 consecutive sets om clay.
Correction: Zverev won Toronto, not Cindy.
Correction 2: Zverev won Toronto, and Roger was runner-up. Dimi won Cincy.
A pretty good draw for Nadal, not that I think he’ll need it or anything. Obviously if you’re asking who the favorites are, it’s Rafa then daylight. If we’re looking at who the top three biggest threats are, I’d say it’s Thiem & Zverev with probably Djokovic in a distant third. But they’re all on the other side of the draw, so worst case scenario he plays one of them, quite possibly downs them in straight sets anyway.
Djokovic I think has a tough draw. He’s improving and on the comeback trail, but still quite a way from his best, so Ferrer, Bautista Agut and Dimitrov/Verdasco are all danger games for him. If he makes the semi I’ll be impressed, but I reckon he’ll probably go out earlier, possibly against Agut or Dimitrov/Verdasco.
Zverev has a pretty good draw, has failed to do much in the slams so far but really has no excuse not to at least make the quarters here. Still a concern for me over five sets, will be interesting to see what happens if he faces Thiem, it would potentially be a good opportunity because Thiem may be worn out given his draw and recent overplay – although fitness shouldn’t generally be a problem at his age. I agree with Lucky’s comments above, I’m not sure why he plays so much. It might be because he’s looking for consistency, that’s definitely a weakness of his, too much variation in his best/worst efforts.
Thiem potentially facing Tsitsipas in the 2nd round, definitely a danger game there, followed by Gulbis and then Nishikori who won’t be easy either. Still, if he really is the ‘Prince of Clay’ (which is iffy) he should beat those guys and make at least the QF too.
Overall, I agree on Nadal over Cilic, but I think it’ll be either Zverev or Thiem beating Goffin on the other side.
Thinwhiteduke, you are probably right and Thiem has a tougher draw than Zverev. But while playing a 250-event wasn’t the greatest idea, Zverev has played a lot of matches, too, in the last few weeks. I really have no idea who will fare better this year – and who will win, should they face each other in the quarterfinal.
Novak has a few early mild threats lurking in his section. Will be interesting to see how well he will do in consecutive best-of-five matches.
There are those who moan that the FO will be boring. I don’t think so at all. Rafa may well get unexpectedly challenged by a big hitter on a rainy day. And the bottom half of the draw promises a lot of very intruiging matches. Also, the changing of the guard may be just around the corner. I also expect Wimby to be far more open this year. Fed will probably still be the favorite – but knows how Roger will emerge from his clay-court-induced break in two weeks? His early hardcourt season wasn’t nearly as dominant as last year and he may be rusty. Novak may gather some additional steam if he does reasonably well in Paris , and Zverev won’t be a slouch on grass, although volleying isn’t his greatest strength, yet. Then there’s Cilic who has become far more stable, and he may be looking for redemption. He will definitely be a formidable threat at Wimby. The question is if he will be able to summon his best tennis in the big moments. Yes, Wimby could definitely be interesting. I’m not going to say anything about Rafa’s chances. He was in great shape last year and had a few very good performances against lesser opponents – and then it came to a grinding halt nevertheless. I would be content if he could do better than last year. A lot depends on his draw.
Yeah littlefoot, it’s really hard to pick between Thiem and Zverev for that match, if forced to pick I’d go for Thiem but it’s a real 50/50 on paper. The slightly disappointing thing is that if it happens it’ll be in the quarters, really it’s a clay match-up worthy of a semi. Personally I hope a guy like Gulbis doesn’t knock Thiem out, as I’d like to see Thiem/Zverev, but yeah I just mention him as he’s a bit of a wild card.
Re: people complaining about the FO being boring, I guess that’s primarily because Rafa is (once more) a massive favourite, plus he has a pretty comfortable draw. For me, last year both the FO and Wimbly were rather anticlimactic, there was a lack of tension given how easily the clear favourites, Rafa & Fed, cruised all the way through in their respective favourite slams, and late in their careers, too.
Now if the changing of the guard does come through here (or at Wimbledon), things certainly will be interesting. However Next-gen predictions have failed to come into fruition before, I don’t think anyone’s holding their breath at this point. I agree that Wimbly should be more open this year, an Cilic should go very deep again. Djokovic could be a real threat if, contrary to my predictions, he gets a real run-on at the FO and his form improves further. But at this stage I’m liking him more for the US, I just think he needs a bit more time.
Thinwhiteduke, you mentioned Gulbis. While I’m delighted that he made it though the qualies (barely), he’s no real threat, yet. He might even go out in the first round against Gil Muller. I hope, he doesn’t, though. I’m impressed btw that he is still hanging in after having been injured for a while. He sure doesn’t need the money. His dedication has always been questioned. I always thought that this is wrong – or has been wrong for quite some time. I wish him the best of luck.
Glad to see my picks more or less agree with Ricky’s.
But I’m thinking of putting Thiem out to Nishikori,and Ive Kohlschreiber in the Qf.Whoever wins his match with Coric will go far,I think.
Djokovic could well beat Zverev,to me thats 50:50 but might not get past Goffin,who’s due a big run.As is Zverev.
I’m not putting Wawrinka more than a couple rounds.
Good idea to have Kyrgios going out early but to Tonic?Ceccinato better bet.
Rafa’s R1 opponent will be the lucky loser Simone Bolelli, as Dolgopolov is OUT of RG.
Roland-Garros 10 minutes ago:
“Defending champion Rafael Nadal and two-time winner Maria Sharapova to headline MONDAY play at RG18.”
https://twitter.com/rolandgarros/status/1000394930479620096/photo/1
Alexandr Dolgopolov withdraws, Rafael Nadal’s first rival in Paris is..
MAY 26, 2018 17:10
by JOVICA ILIC
The 10-time Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal was preparing for his first round clash against Alexandr Dolgopolov but the Ukrainian has just withdrawn from the main draw, leaving the space open for a lucky loser Simone Bolelli. Dolgopolov had finished 2017 season in the Top 40, scoring almost 30 wins, and he opened his 2018 campaign with the quarter-final in Brisbane and the third round at the Australian Open.
Nonetheless, he started to struggle with a wrist injury and his season took a downfall, playing just two matches after Melbourne and winning only nine games in total against Andrea Arnaboldi in Marrakech and Novak Djokovic in Rome.
Alexandr gave his best to make an appearance in Paris but he was forced to leave the tournament before the beginning, unable to play at his 100% against the defending champion. Nadal will now face the 32-year-old Italian Simone Bolelli who is about to enter his 12th consecutive Roland Garros, scoring nine wins in total and reaching the third round in 2008 and 2015.
Nadal and Bolelli have played five times before and the Spaniard won all the encounters, losing the opening set in Rotterdam 2009 but rattling off the next 11 games, including a dominant win at Roland Garros in 2011 when Simone won just five games.
http://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/ne … -paris-is/
Shame about Dolgopolov, as he is one of my favourite players, super fun to watch when he’s on, and has actually beaten Nadal before. But even at 100% he would struggle to be competitive on clay against Rafa, and less than that it’s better not to be playing.
I am not convinced that Novak will get to the semis. Zverev getting to the final would be a great result, given that he has not ever gone past the fourth round. I am not sure he will do it. I think Goffin could make a good run here. I am not sure about Thiem. Playing Lyons doesn’t make sense to me. But he is a two time semifinalist here.
I know that Rafa is considered a sure thing here, but I get nervous about that. He has an ideal draw, better than we could have hoped. I know he will take nothing for granted. He knows he has to earn it.
I expect we will see some upsets and surprises along the way. But Rafa has a great opportunity here to get un decima!
NNY, I have reached a point where I don’t even enjoy the FO or even the clay season in the same way as I once did. Anything else than a Rafa win is a disappointment after all. That’s the way it is. And I find it amazing, how Rafa handles the pressure again and again and again every year. Of course his philosophy to take nothing for granted and take on one match at a time, no matter who the opponent is, helps a lot.
In retrospect I enjoy of course Rafa’s renewed success on clay after the dry spell during 2015 and 2016. But I was enjoying his US Open run last year much more because it was so unexpected since the warm up tournaments hadn’t been all that promissing. It was such a nice gift after the ultra successful clay season and the slight disappointment at Wimby. And he showed all the nay sayers that he can still win big hardcourt tournaments, which he hadn’t done since 2013.
littlefoot,
Yes I understand where you are coming from. I always feel the most stressed during the clay season. Rafa has to defend a ton of points and is expected to win everythjng. When he lost to Thiem in Madrid, one would think the world ended. Yet that turned out to be his only loss in the clay season.
He’s always the favorite at RG and rightfully so. But this year it’s even more so. When I read people saying – just give him the trophy already, then I get very nervous. Rafa has to earn it. He knows it. Nothing is given to anyone.
It’s just looking so inevitable that I get superstitious. I don’t enjoy it as much as I should. I don’t know how Rafa handles it.
I also think you made a great point about how enjoyable it was to see Rafa win the USO because it was so unexpected. I agree with you.
Somehow I will get through this, but the dress is going to be off the charts!
STRESS is going to be off the charts! *
NNY, lol 🙂
Tomic d Kyrgios? Seriously? How did Tomic even get into the tournament? Did he go through qualies or get a wild card?
Qualies…
I wondered about that prediction, too. Is Kyrgios in that bad shape right now?
hahaha I was wondering the same, Ramara. I see a Q next to his name. But what a joke to place Tomic to play Kyrgios. I don’t think Tomic will beat Kyrgios but we’ll see. Kyrgios would want to beat Tomic – my guess. Maybe that will be job done in singles for him though. And retire in the second round – something like that
I don’t know. Think Kyrgios hasn’t played singles in awhile, due to injury? He and Sock titled in doubles this week. Otoh Tomic had some pretty impressive wins in the qualies (I got curious and looked it up). Maybe he actually is motivated for a change. Or maybe he figured out that his 10 million wasn’t going to support the lifestyle he wants for the rest of his life. So popcorn match? I doubt Tennis Channel will cover it, but it’ll be on TC Plus for those who have it. Not me.
Yeah I don’t have TC Plus. In fact I had cancelled Tennis Channel and have been following WTA on WTAtv.com and ATP on Tennistv.com. But today I broke down and got Tennis Channel back and Direct tv has matches on channel 701-707. I purchase this package from now until June 10. I prefer the online streaming from tennis tv and wta tv for the weekly tournaments. But they don’t cover the Grand Slams.
Anyway, I’m all dialed in and excited for FO.
Thanks for the information about Tomic, Ramara. Now Ricky’s pick makes more sense but I’ll keep my Kyrgios pick for a couple rounds. We shall see who comes out the winner – Naughty Nick or Tomic. It’s has possibilities to be a popcorn match!
I think Tomic will win that one; he has already played a few matches at qualies so he has some match practices. Kyrgios is not so good on clay.
I’m sorry to hear that Dolgo is out. I wonder if his decision was influenced by the draw 😏 He may have waited whom he would get.
Ouch! I’m sorry about Delpo’s withdrawal too. I don’t think he’d be influenced by the draw tho. Guy loves to play so I’m sure he would if he could.
Ramara!….DelPo?R u sure?I try to find the news but so far none emerged…I’m in the middle of fill in Bracket now!Need to know ASAP!…EEEEEKK!!!!
Ohhhh so hyped for this!! Will have my picks up tonight. Just got out of school after a busy couple of weeks so I will be back to the routine of detailed daily picks and discussion of different players and matchups for the tournament. RG IS HERE WOOHOO
Welcome back Benny!
😀
Benny, good that you still can enjoy it all despite the hype!
I will focus on the matches in the bottom half. I find the constellations and various possibilities very intriguing. Who will cme through? I honestly haven’t the foggiest idea…
Maybe a clue in there!
Lol! Foggie is in the top half, though…
Fognini is playing really well and has a shot at upsetting Cilic I feel. Otherwise mostly agree. Also think Kyrgios might surprise a few and go deeper than expected.
You never know with Fabio. He just lost in Geneva to a German player, whose name I cannot pronounce.
Kudla is a great value 1st round. Very good under the radar player
Ramara MAY 27, 2018 AT 4:05 AM,
Delpo hasn’t withdrawn. Reportedly, he’ll decide on Tuesday whether to play or not.
Correct, I wrote that Dolgo (Dolgopolov) has withdrawn.
@augusta008, @littlefoot,
Phew! Thanks for correcting my old eyes! I’ll keep hoping Delpo remains in until Rafa defeats him. Poor guy’s had enough injuries, already.
Ramada, I agree! I always hate, when Delpo is out with another injury.