First round
Murray over Kuznetsov in 4, Klizan over Lokoli in 4
Almagro over Baghdatis in 3, Del Potro over Pella in 5
Isner over Thompson in 4, Lorenzi over Berankis in 3
Khachanov over Jarry in 3, Berdych over Struff in 3
A. Zverev over Verdasco in 4, Herbert over Donaldson in 5
Dzumhur over Kicker in 5, Cuevas over Hamou in 3
Chung over Querrey in 5, Escobedo over Istomin in 4
Chardy over Albot in 3, Nishikori over Kokkinakis in 3
Wawrinka over Kovalik in 3, Berlocq over Dolgopolov in 4
Seppi over Giraldo in 5, Tiafoe over Fognini in 4
Gasquet over De Greef in 3, Gabashvili over Estrella Burgos in 5
Monteiro over A. Muller in 3, Monfils over Brown in 4
Tsonga over Olivo in 3, Edmund over Elias in 4
Anderson over Jaziri in 4, Kohlschreiber over Kyrgios in 5
Ferrer over Young in 3, Lopez over Fratangelo in 4
Delbonis over Kravchuk in 3, Cilic over Gulbis in 3
Raonic over Darcis in 3, Dutra Silva over Youzhny in 4
Trungelliti over Halys in 5, G. Muller over Garcia-Lopez in 4
Carreno Busta over Mayer in 3, Daniel over Janowicz in 4
Evans over Robredo in 5, Dimitrov over Robert in 3
Sock over Vesely in 4, Bedene over Harrison in 4
Kukushkin over Sandgren in 5, Bautista Agut over Millman in 3
Simon over Basilashvili in 4, Troicki over Donskoy in 4
Haase over De Minaur in 4, Nadal over Paire in 3
Thiem over Tomic in 3, Bolelli over Mahut in 5
Coric over Bourgue in 4, Johnson over Sugita in 4
Karlovic over Tsitsipas in 5, Zeballos over Mannarino in 5
Stakhovsky over Lu in 5, Goffin over Mathieu in 3
Pouille over Benneteau in 4, Bellucci over Lajovic in 4
Medvedev over Bonzi in 3, Ramos-Vinolas over Copil in 4
M. Zverev over Napolitano in 3, Schwartzman over Rublev in 3
Sousa over Tipsarevic in 3, Djokovic over Granollers in 3
Second round
Klizan over Murray in 5
Del Potro over Almagro in 4
Isner over Lorenzi in 4
Berdych over Khachanov in 4
A. Zverev over Herbert in 3
Cuevas over Dzumhur in 3
Chung over Escobedo in 4
Nishikori over Chardy in 3
Wawrinka over Berlocq in 3
Seppi over Tiafoe in 5
Gasquet over Gabashvili in 3
Monfils over Monteiro in 5
Tsonga over Edmund in 4
Kohlschreiber over Anderson in 4
Ferrer over Lopez in 4
Delbonis over Cilic in 5
Raonic over Dutra Silva in 3
Trungelliti over G. Muller in 5
Carreno Busta over Daniel in 3
Dimitrov over Evans in 3
Sock over Bedene in 4
Bautista Agut over Kukushkin in 3
Simon over Troicki in 5
Nadal over Haase in 3
Thiem over Bolelli in 3
Coric over Johnson in 5
Zeballos over Karlovic in 5
Goffin over Stakhovsky in 3
Pouille over Bellucci in 4
Ramos-Vinolas over Medvedev in 3
Schwartzman over M. Zverev in 4
Djokovic over Sousa in 4
Third round
Klizan over Del Potro in 4
Berdych over Isner in 4
A. Zverev over Cuevas in 4
Nishikori over Chung in 5
Wawrinka over Seppi in 3
Gasquet over Monfils in 5
Tsonga over Kohlschreiber in 4
Delbonis over Ferrer in 4
Raonic over Trungelliti in 3
Carreno Busta over Dimitrov in 4
Sock over Bautista Agut in 4
Nadal over Simon in 3
Thiem over Coric in 3
Goffin over Zeballos in 4
Ramos-Vinolas over Pouille in 4
Djokovic over Schwartzman in 4
Fourth round
Berdych over Klizan in 4
A. Zverev over Nishikori in 4
Wawrinka over Gasquet in 4
Tsonga over Delbonis in 3
Carreno Busta over Raonic in 4
Nadal over Sock in 3
Thiem over Goffin in 4
Djokovic over Ramos-Vinolas in 4
Quarterfinals
A. Zverev over Berdych in 4
Wawrinka over Tsonga in 4
Nadal over Carreno Busta in 3
Djokovic over Thiem in 4
Semifinals
Wawrinka over A. Zverev in 5
Nadal over Djokovic in 3
Final
Nadal over Wawrinka in 4
[polldaddy poll=9752115]
who ya got?
QF, SF, and final is the tsame.
Zverev over wawrinka in 4 , rafa over zverev in 4 ..
Beside , pretty much is the same , only kyrgios can make a progress ( maybe :/ )
Circumstances look bad for Kyrgios. Lost his grandfather a month ago, has been dealing with a hip injury, just lost to Kicker, likes hard and grass court better, and just about the worst first round draw he could’ve asked for.
QF:
Rafa over PCB in 3
Djoko over Goffin in 5
A Zverev over Berdych in 5
Stan over Cilic in 4
SF:
Rafa over Djoko in 3
Stan over Zverev in 5
Final:
Rafa over Stan in 4
Rafa over Zverev in 4
QF’s: Murray over AZ, Wawa over Tsonga, Rafa over Dimitrov, Djokovic over Thiem
SF’s: Wawa over Murray, Rafa over Thiem.
F: Rafa over Andy
Djokovic over Thiem and then Rafa over Thiem?
Wawa over Murray and then Rafa over Murray? :p
vr,
I’d be interested to see your picks. Lucky has hers up. I agree with most of it, except I am not sure about Zverev. I am not sure he’s there yet. PCB could get through to meet Rafa in the quarters, but I picked Raonic to get to the quarters. He hasn’t looked that great, so not sure about that one. Goffin could beat Theim to meet Novak in the semis.
I am not sure how far Berdy will get. I believe that I picked Rafa and Stan in the final for my bracket. I was going to revisit my picks and maybe make a change or two, but am not sure.
Initially I wasn’t that sure about Novak gettIng to the semis because I do not believe he’s completely back yet.
QFs:
I don’t really believe in Berdych here, also I don’t think crazy Klizan is gonna go to the fourth round. I’d say that in the first quarter Alexander Zverev beats Isner/Del Potro
Then I have Cilic beating Gasquet/Wawrinka, I can imagine Wawrinka losing to Fognini or Gasquet here and I actually really believe in Cilic making the semis here
Nadal over Raonic
Djokovic over Thiem
SFs:
Zverev over Cilic
Nadal over Djokovic
and finally Nadal over Zverev
Everyone has a “subpar” “struggling” Nole beating everybody but Rafa and having a deep run despite earlier bravado.
Rafa will not beat Nole in three. Nor vice versa. Will be at least four sets either way. The winner of the bottom half semi will win RG.
The rest is just popcorn filler and noise.
La decima is on Rafa’s racquet but it won’t be easy vs Nole.
#NoleIsBack
Differences from Ricky:
1st rnd:
GGL over Muller
Robredo over Evans
Fognini over Tiafoe
Estrella “Dam” Burgos over Gabba Gabba
Giraldo over Seppi
Kyrgios over Kohls
2nd rnd:
Kyrgios over Anderson
Murray over Klizan
3rd rnd:
RBA over Sock
Kyrgios over Delpo
SF (aka Final)
Rafa over Nole in 5
#NolesBack
#RafaIsBacker
Kyrgios and Del Po can’t play third round
Thanks Benny!
CORRECTION:
Differences from Ricky:
1st rnd:
GGL over Muller
Robredo over Evans
Fognini over Tiafoe
Estrella “Dam” Burgos over Gabba Gabba
Giraldo over Seppi
Kyrgios over Kohls
2nd rnd:
Kyrgios over Anderson
Murray over Klizan
3rd rnd:
RBA over Sock
Tsonga over Kyrgios
Murray over Delpo
4th Rnd:
Berdych over Murray
SF (aka Final)
Rafa over Nole in 5
QF:
Rafa over Dimitrov in 3
Djokovic over Thiem in 4
Tsonga over Wawrinka in 4
Nishikori over Murray in 4
SF:
Rafa over Djokovic in 3
Tsonga over Nishikori in 4
Final:
Rafa over Tsonga in 3
Differences for me are:
1) Im playing down the “lack of form” Nishikori has and he almost always shows up deftly in the Slams.
2) Tsonga has played very well this year and his form suffered only slightly because of his fatherhood. If he gets past the first four rounds without to many problems, assuming Kyrgio’s struggles continue, he has a reasonable shot at making the semis with Stan not always at top form in Slams.
3) I think it is more unlikely than likely that Murray will reach the last four. With the French supporters if Tsonga reaches this stage and can get his HUGE forehand and serve going without too many UE, he would just get passed Nishikori, who can hold on too matches exceptionally well.
4) Dimitrov played very well during the Aus swing, only losing to Nadal in 5 tight sets in the Aus open. The only concerning loss could be vs Struff and in Madrid where he looked strong he only lost to Thiem by 11-9 in a 3rd set tie break, so I have him overcoming Busta and Raonic but I agree it may not happen, though it very well could.
Really like your reasoning about taking Tsonga to the final. Also what you say about Kei makes sense.
I just watching my recording of the Geneva final. Stan’s form is coming along but he had trouble today. Mischa took the first set. Stan pushes the limit waiting to the last minute to find his best in these Slams. We’ve seen it time after time. He may not be able to pull it off this time. Tsonga sounds very tempting. I think he can get past Kei. Kei might be hard to beat over 5 sets. I would hope Tsonga would only need 4 sets max.
Also have Dimitrov making
Can’t see Tsonga beating Stan on this surface. Well I can but I highly doubt it will happen. I think it’s Wawrinka’s year here. I have a feeling Rafa will slightly falter at the end of the tournament with all the hype and pressure surrounding him being the heavy favorite. He knows it’s a big opportunity and Stan is the kind of player to take advantage of any nerves from any opponent in the final because Stan rarely plays with nerves in the final himself. Stanimal to bash his way to the trophy.
Well I’ve been waffling. I can also see Stan losing in a dramatic 5 to Fognini or winning in 5, and then winning a close one to Gasquet. Next if Stan makes it, he will take on Tsonga or Cilic and probably not get those matches done in 3 sets. Then he has to face ? plus Rafa!
He’d have to be full metal Stanimal. He can do it but will he get stronger as he goes as usual because he’s not likely to get through many matches in 3 sets? His draw looks rigorous. Tsonga has had great form this year (before the baby) and Cilic can get on a roll.
I still have Rafa vs Stan in the final but it haunts me some 😀
For some reason I have a feeling Stan will get through his early rounds quicker than the past. Kovalik and Berlocq are matches he should be able to win easily and his third rounder I have him playing Tiafoe. Whether he plays Frances or Seppi or Fognini, I think that’s a match he can also win in straights, even if he isn’t playing his best. As for Tsonga he seems to match up well against him. He beat him in four here at the French in 2015 and crushed him in Melbourne. Tsonga likes hard courts the most too while Stan likes clay the most and Stan beat him in straights on hard courts in Melbourne. I think it’s the discrepancy in their backhands that gives Stan the edge in their recent head to head history. Also Stan has a good track record against Cilic. And that fourth rounder I believe Stan could clock gasquet. Gasquet doesn’t have an easy path to get there with Monfils in his way. Plus gasquet has just come back from injury not too long against and hasn’t shown many signs of awesome form. I still think Richard could get to the fourth round just because the draw isn’t too tough. Not easy but not too difficult either because Monfils’ physical state (and mental for that matter) is even more questionable than that of gasquet.
Now I do actually have Stan dropping sets in all these matches I brought up because of the crowd factor. But like I said I can see him winning even easier too. It is stan so maybe I’m totally wrong and he’s gonna suck this tournament but I have a good feeling about him this year. He’s under the radar with his results but did just pick up the Geneva title so his confidence can’t be too low. Plus I don’t remember a time when Stan was playing great before winning a slam. He like to suck before he wins titles.
Yeah it seems Stan likes to suffer. He waits right until it’s down to the wire before shaping up.
Today he started blasting the backhand and making it — he had to work hard to win that one. Mischa played well.
It’s a good story, Benny. I can see it. Yeah Fognini vs Tiafoe could go either way. I’m guessing that Fognini will want to win and dedicate it to his son. But I’m not sure he’ll be happy about going 5 sets with Tiafoe, which it could be. Being a brand new first time father can work for or against him. Fognini typically loves FO, tho.
Can’t see Tsonga making it past QF after playing this week including his win today.
It will eventually catch up with him.
Did you see the Lyon final, Hawkeye? I didn’t have a way to watch it — only recorded Geneva.
How did Tsonga look?
No didn’t see it. I have TennisTV so might check it later.
I thought Fognini was going to skip the French Open?
Round 1:
Murray over Kuznetsov in 4
Lokoli over Klizan in 5
Almagro over Baghdatis in 3
Del Potro over Pella in 4
Isner over Thompson in 3
Lorenzi over Berankis in 4
Khachanov over Jarry in 4
Berdych over Struff in 4
A. Zverev over Verdasco in 4
Herbert over Donaldson in 4
Kicker over Dzumhur in 5
Cuevas over Hamou in 3
Querrey over Chung in 4
Escobedo over Istomin in 4
Chardy over Albot in 5
Nishikori over Kokkinakis in 3
Wawrinka over Kovalik in 3
Berlocq over Dolgopolov in 4
Seppi over Giraldo in 5
Tiafoe over Fognini in 5
Gasquet over De Greef in 3
Gabashvili over Estrella Burgos in 3
Monteiro over A. Muller in 4
Monfils over Brown in 5
Tsonga over Olivo in 3
Edmund over Elias in 5
Anderson over Jaziri in 3
Kohlschreiber over Kyrgios in 4
Ferrer over Young in 3
Fratangelo over Lopez in 5
Delbonis over Kravchuk in 4
Cilic over Gulbis in 3
Raonic over Darcis in 4
Dutra Silva over Youzhny in 5
Trungelliti over Halys in 4
Muller over Garcia-Lopez in 4
Carreno Busta over Mayer in 3
Daniel over Janowicz in 4
Robredo over Evans in 3
Dimitrov over Robert in 3
Sock over Vesely in 4
Harrison over Bedene in 4
Sandgren over Kukushkin in 5
Bautista Agut over Millman in 3
Simon over Basilashvili in 4
Troicki over Donskoy in 3
Haase over De Minaur in 3
Nadal over Paire in 4
Thiem over Tomic in 3
Mahut over Bolelli in 5
Coric over Bourgue in 3
Johnson over Sugita in 4
Tsitsipas over Karlovic in 5
Mannarino over Zeballos in 5
Lu over Stakhovsky in 4
Goffin over Mathieu in 3
Pouille over Benneteau in 4
Bellucci over Lajovic in 4
Medvedev over Bonzi in 4
Ramos-Vinolas over Copil in 4
M. Zverev over Napolitano in 3
Schwartzman over Rublev in 4
Tipsarevic over Sousa in 4
Djokovic over Granollers in 3
Round 2:
Murray over Lokoli in 4
Del Potro over Almagro in 4
Isner over Lorenzi in 3
Berdych over Khachanov in 4
A. Zverev over Herbert in 4
Cuevas over Kicker in 3
Querrey over Escobedo in 4
Nishikori over Chardy in 4
Wawrinka over Berlocq in 3
Tiafoe over Seppi in 4
Gasquet over Gabashvili in 4
Monfils over Monteiro in 4
Tsonga over Edmund in 4
Anderson over Kohlschreiber in 5
Ferrer over Fratangelo in 4
Cilic over Delbonis in 4
Raonic over Dutra Silva in 3
Muller over Trungelliti in 3
Carreno Busta over Daniel in 3
Dimitrov over Robredo in 4
Sock over Harrison in 3
Bautista Agut over Sandgren in 3
Simon over Troicki in 5
Nadal over Haase in 3
Thiem over Mahut in 3
Coric over Johnson in 4
Mannarino over Tsitsipas in 4
Goffin over Lu in 3
Pouille over Bellucci in 4
Ramos-Vinolas over Medvedev in 4
M. Zverev over Schwartzman in 5
Djokovic over Tipsarevic in 3
Round 3:
Del Potro over Murray in 4
Isner over Berdych in 5
Cuevas over A. Zverev in 5
Nishikori over Querrey in 4
Wawrinka over Tiafoe in 4
Gasquet over Monfils in 5
Tsonga over Anderson in 4
Cilic over Ferrer in 4
Raonic over Muller in 3
Dimitrov over Carreno Busta in 5
Sock over Bautista Agut in 4
Nadal over Simon in 3
Thiem over Coric in 4
Goffin over Mannarino in 4
Pouille over Ramos-Vinolas in 5
Djokovic over M. Zverev in 4
Like Tsitsipas getting the win over Dr. Ivo in 5.
Round of 16:
Del Potro over Isner in 5
Cuevas over Nishikori in 4
Wawrinka over Gasquet in 4
Tsonga over Cilic in 5
Dimitrov over Raonic in 4
Nadal over Sock in 3
Goffin over Thiem in 4
Djokovic over Pouille in 4
QF:
Del Potro over Cuevas in 4
Wawrinka over Tsonga in 4
Nadal over Dimitrov in 4
Goffin over Djokovic in 5
SF:
Wawrinka over Del Potro in 4
Nadal over Goffin in 3
Final:
Wawrinka over Nadal in 4
(Stan wins a slam every year. This is his best slam. Nadal will also feel pressure as such a heavy favorite. Wawrinka to win a second RG title.)
Rafa is not losing this should he get to the final. There is no way he will let this get away from him. Also I am not sure about Stan being able to turn it on and get into his best form. Which is what it’s going to take to try to beat Rafain the final.
I don’t think Tsonga will go far here, even though he tries to bring his best st RG. I also don’t think Delpo will make it to the semifinals. I can’t see him being in good enough form to do well in best of five set matches.
Goffin and Thiem meeting in the fourth round should be a great match. I can see it going either way. Very tough to call.
I don’t see Dimi getting to the quarterfinals. If Raonic can’t get there, then PCB might do it.
I don’t think PCB is gonna make a huge run here. Maybe he’ll prove me wrong I dunno. We’ll have to wait and see. I can’t wait myself that’s for sure ?
Also I have a feeling Rafa is gonna have that mindset that he can’t let it get away from him and it will hurt him and cause him to play just a bit tighter in the final and like I said I believe Stan the man is the guy who takes advantage of this the best of anyone. I of course was heavily considering Rafa as that’s probably the most logical pick. Call it a hunch though but I have a great feeling about Stan this year. I dunno what it is I just do. Now he could still have a great tourney and lose to rafa in the final as many are picking. But I’m going bold plus I look at Stan’s 3-0 record in slam finals along with the fact that Rafa is now a pretty overwhelming favorite and may have some pressure on himself considering it would be probably his sweetest victory. These aspects have me thinking Stan can get this done. If Stan doesn’t win it’s obviously Rafa with his tenth though. I really think a red hot Stan in a grand slam final is the only one who can stop Rafa here.
More like wishful thinking. Stan may not even get to the final, even though many including myself put him there. For me it’s more like not many choices, given how poor that half of the draw is. If A Zverev is more expierenced, I would have predicted him to reach the final.
If Djoko is in that half of the draw, I would pick him to reach the final, regardless of how poorly he may play! And that’s how poor that half of the draw is!
Nah. I like Stan at the french. In Rome I picked him to lose to Rafa in the final as it was a masters event Rafa has won many times. Here Rafa has also won many times but history and his sweetest win is on the line which could give him extra nerves plus Stan has a title here and is a beast in finals.
Provided he (Stan) can reach the final! Rafa is also a beast, a bigger beast than Stan, at the FO!! I doubt Rafa is so nervous over BO5 to lose the final! Don’t underestimate Rafa! He’s 9 for 9 in FO final, > Stan’s 1 for 1 at the FO, or 3 for 3 at all slam finals!!
Stan may be the more nervous one should he get there!
Wishful thinking, Benny! Are you getting nervous because Rafa may approach closer to Fed’s slam count?
Lucky working so hard in the eventuality they her suspicions that Nole is back are realized.
So much for all the inconsistency talk where he won’t have a deep run.
#GoalpostMovimgIsEverywhere
I did pick Stan to get to the final in my bracket for the reason that Lucky stated so well – lack of choices! My thinking is that Zverevis not yet ready to go deep in slam. Murray has been AWOL, so one can’t pick him for the first nail spot.
One can’t pick him (Murray) for the final spot! *
Rafa’s had a lot of sweet slam victories. FO 2005, 2006, 2010, 2013, 2014, Wimbly 2008, USO 2010 (career slam at 24!), 2013. Slam wins are all sweet but I think those were the sweetest. Sure, a win at RG this year would be great after 3 years w/o one, but it’s not gonna send him over the edge.
You sure because I would say after all he’s been through the last few years, a win here would be really fuckin sweet.
Benny, agree with most of what you say about Stan, but I’m less confident of him reaching the final than I am of him winning it. I’ll pick him to win the tournament if he makes the SF, but not now -that’s Rafa.
However if Stan makes a deep run and is bringing his A+ game then I don’t think anyone is going to stop him. He has more and bigger weapons than most players, including Nadal. But his biggest edge in a slam final might be mental; somehow, he seems to transform himself in the biggest very biggest matches. Should he make the final against Rafa, I don’t think he’ll feel much pressure. He’s already won it (after never expecting to) and he’ll be the underdog, which suits him just fine.
Fed, Rafa and Nole at their best would beat any version of CryBaby.
None of them were when they lost to him at slams four times compared to double digit wins.
Never on CB’s racquet IMO.
Yeah I would say you’re probably right hawks. Although I don’t think we’ve really seen many matches where Stan and one of the big three are both at the top of their game in a slam except some epic matches Stan has had with Novak at Aussie opens and US Open 2013. Those two seem to bring out the best in each other the most. I freaking love watching their matches. It’s like watching peak Rafa vs peak Roger. Absolutely jaw dropping rallies and shotmaking.
Yeah, good battles in the past. I think it was nerves in Nole’s first two slam losses to him, and burn out last year.
Correction: big three had five losses to him in slams. One each for fedal far from their respective bests.
No Mary. I firmly believe Roger is winning Wimbledon anyways this year. At this rate Roger will end his career with 20+ slams. I honestly don’t think Rafa will catch up to Roger whether he wins this tournament or not. Also lucky I’m saying Rafa will be more nervous than Stan because so much history is on the line. TENTH FRENCH OPEN AND HE WINS IT AFTER ALL THESE YEARS OF NO SLAMS! OVERWHELMING FAVORITE MAN HE IS BOUND TO GET IT DONE! I do think all of this will be in Rafa’s mind while I believe Stan will take the underdog status and use it promptly to his advantage. These are just my opinions that’s why I’m saying “I think” and “I believe.” I won’t be surprised if Rafa proves me wrong and if he does ok that will be awesome to see a tenth french open for Rafa. I ain’t denying he’s a badass or a beast lucky. These are just my predictions for the tournament. Also in the final Mary if Stan plays Rafa I’ll be rooting for Stan. You know why? NOT because of the slam count. Because Stan is my second favorite player. But I didn’t pick him because of that. I picked him because of the reasons I gave. Like I’m not gonna pick him at fuckin Wimbledon or something but this is the french open and based on the reasons I’ve already established he is my pick for the title.
Benny, I’d put Fed as the narrow favourite for Wimby this year, but only narrowly and wouldn’t make any predictions beyond that. He’ll be 36 at USO and Agassi’s words are most pertinent: when the end comes, it comes quickly. By “the end” he meant the end of being able to compete with the very best, not just being in the top 20 or so. Maybe Federer will win 20 slams. But I think it’s more likely that the AO was his last hurrah. Maybe winning 19, with wimby being the last, is slightly more likely than the other 2 scenarios.
Agassi’s back was wrecked when he retired. An absolute mess.
True, Agassi was especially vulnerable. But I still think his point is generally true. And knee or back injury could always flare up for Roger and, at his age, basically be the end of his chances at a slam.
Fair point. I’m probably overconfident in his chances due to how his incredible form to start the year. I think it depends on how others start to play like Murray and Djokovic. I would say Roger Kyrgios and Rafa are the favorites at Wimbledon as of right now. Kyrgios is who I am most worried about in regards to Roger’s biggest threat there. Like I said though, it depends on how Murray and Djokovic are playing heading in. Those two, along with Raonic, will be tough to beat if they regain their form.
Also, in this case, I’m assuming Kyrgios will be healthy again by then. I’m guessing and hoping that he will be.
Frankly I do not think Kyrgios is ready to win Wimbledon. He lacks discipline and commitment. But as he is super talented, on his day he can probably spoil the chances of any of the big 4.
I thought Roger was really out of gas by end of Miami. He got lucky to beat Kyrgios, and Nadal didn’t play well in the final. All credit to him for winning, of course, but I think those 3 tournaments really took a lot of out of him. He’ll be fresh for grass season, but my guess is that by USO, even with careful scheduling, he won’t be. Not saying he can’t do it, but the margins are so small at the top that I wouldn’t bet on any slam beyond Wimby.
I should say: I like Roger’s chances against anyone if he can play at his early-season level. I’m just doubtful about long he can continue to do so. I’d love to be wrong.
Benny, never underestimate Rafa. Rafa is one guy who can bring out the worse in a player, ask Fed. Rafa at his best will not allow his opponent to play his best, that’s what a great counterpuncher would do. Rafa vs Stan, just look at their H2H and you’ll know. To me, Rafa’s Wimbledon 2008, AO2009 and USO2010 were more significant wins for Rafa(I’m sure Rafa would feel the same too); just watch how he’s with tears when he’s about to beat Verdasco in the SF at AO2009; or how he was with tears after winning the USO in 2010. Not forgetting how nervous he was at Wimbledon 2008 final and yet was able to win it and against Fed.
You’re telling me Rafa can’t overcome his nerve at RG after winning 9 of them?? He’ll probably move on to the next slam. After AO2014, Rafa doesn’t seem that devastated any more with his losses; his loss at AO2017 wasn’t as bad as his loss at AO2014, at least to me it felt that way watching him.
As for Stan vs Djoko, Djoko at his best > Stan at his best; Stan at his best > Djoko at any other level; Djoko > Stan when both are playing so so tennis. Djoko not at his best or at subpar level is still better than most players, except the other big four plus A Zverev (assuming they’re not playing subpar tennis of course!!If they are Djoko still have chances to beat them!!).
LOLLucky working OT.
So much for Nole too inconsistent to have a deep run at RG.
Moving goalposts are everywhere!!’
#NoleIsBack
Obviously you won’t root for Stan at Wimbly because you want Fed to win. For the same reason you will root for Stan to win at RG because you do not want Rafa to win i.e. threaten Fed’s legacy. I am not sure Fed will win Wimbledon or any more slams this year. Nole would be back by USO and Rafa cannot be discounted either.At Wimbledon, not sure whether Muzz would be back. But if he is, Fed won’t win.
You’re annoying me by assuming I care so much about Federer’s legacy. Lemme tell u something and this is a fact. I wouldn’t pick Stan to win Wimbledon if Federer was gone there too. Why does it trigger you and Rafans like lucky so much that I am not picking your guy. Do you think I’m annoyed at everyone picking Nadal? No!! Also I remember quite a few Rafans on here picked Rafa at the US Open even though he wasn’t in great form. In fact I almost picked him but realized with his lack of form I should go with someone else so I went with the then recent Olympics finalist Del Po. Still Stan was there and so was Kyrgios who is my 3rd favorite player and I didn’t even consider picking them to win it. I actually remember I had Rafa winning in my US open racket bracket but before the deadline I changed it. Obviously Del Po wasn’t the pick and Stan actually was!! Point is I am not picking against Rafa for any reasons other than the ones I gave.
“I wouldn’t pick Stan to win Wimbledon if Federer was gone there too.” What does that mean?
I mean if fed withdrew from Wimbledon this year and Stan was there I wouldn’t pick Stan to win it because it’s grass. My point is I’m not picking Stan cuz I’m rooting for him. I happen to be rooting for him but I also truly believe he can do it.
I amend my above post. Nole is already back but unlike clay, where he is the second best, on hard court, he is possibly the best. On grass, he is a serious contender but not the favorite. So it isn’t a given that Fed will get 20+ slams, even if he is doping.
Time is running out for the big 4. For Fed , his best chance is this year and the next. Probably it is the same for the other 3 as they do not have the benefit of favorable schedules and draws. In any case, I suspect that the nextgen are going to be winning most of the slams from 2019.
Also Mary I go bold A LOT. Just look at the rest of my draw. I got Cuevas in the quarters, I got Del Po in the semis, I got Goffin in the semis.
I doubt that Del po or Goffin would make the semis.
We will get a better idea once we watch them in rounds 1 and 2. But why is it that no one has commented about Rafa drawing a tough first round opponent?