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2021 @DelrayBeachOpen Kicks Off Tour With @MilosRaonic and Former Champs @KeiNishikori @FTiafoe @ReillyOpelka @SamQuerrey

Posted by Admin on December 24, 2020
Posted in: ATP, Australian Open, Delray Beach. Tagged: , , , , . Leave a comment

2021 Delray Beach Open Kicks Off Tour With Milos Raonic and Former Champs Kei Nishikori, Frances Tiafoe, Reilly Opelka and Sam Querrey

Seriously. It’s been too long. The last time we saw the men duke it out for an outdoor title was at the 2019 US Open. Our pale skin will be tested under the sun at the Delray Beach Open, the ATP 250 tournament taking place on January 4-13 in Delray Beach, Florida. The event marks the first time in decades that the men’s tour begins in the United States, with the Australian Open’s retreat into February setting the stage for Delray Beach and Antalya, Turkey having the honors of serving as the inaugural events on the annual calendar.

Fans will be held at 25% capacity along with mandatory mask use throughout the grounds.. Tickets must be purchased in isolated blocks of 2 to promote distancing between members of different households. If you are thinking about attending the tournament, you would be well advised to purchase tickets now, I have an unadvertised tip to relate: Due to COVID-19, all former general admission seats are now reserved seating and available for about $25 a piece.

It’s a strong 250 field, with former champion Kei Nishikori and former finalist Milos Raonic headlining, joined in the hunt by the American platoon of Isner and former champions Opelka, Tiafoe and Querrey.

The Delray Beach Open was slated to start in mid-February, so tournament organizers are scrambling at break-neck speed to advance an international event by a staggering 5 weeks. That’s an impressive feat even without the threat of a global pandemic.

This news is a gift to American fans after the year we’ve had.

—S. Fogleman, Tennis Atlantic

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West Virginia to Become Temporary Capital of Tennis World as @FTiafoe, @GenieBouchard, Jack Sock, @MilosRaonic & @MonicaAce93 Puig Join 2020 @WorldTeamTennis

Posted by Admin on June 16, 2020
Posted in: World Team Tennis. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Frances Tiafoe, Western & Southern Open, Photo: Tennis Atlantic

West Virginia to Become Temporary Capital of Tennis World as @FTiafoe, @GenieBouchard, Jack Sock, @MilosRaonic & @MonicaAce93 Puig Join 2020 @WorldTeamTennis

RANCHO SANTA FE, Calif. (June 16, 2020) – World TeamTennis has added several prominent tennis stars to an already jam-packed lineup of roster players set to compete during the 45th season of World TeamTennis, taking place at The Greenbrier “America’s Resort” in White Sulphur Springs, W.V.

WTT has announced that each player will play the entire three-week regular season, scheduled for July 12-30, with the WTT Semifinals (Aug. 1) and WTT Final (Aug. 2) to follow.

Monica Puig, 2018 Connecticut Open (Photo: Mike Renz for Tennis Atlantic)

Monica Puig, 2018 Connecticut Open (Photo: Mike Renz for Tennis Atlantic)

Rising American Frances Tiafoe, 2016 Olympic gold medalist Monica Puig, three-time Grand Slam doubles champion Jack Sock and two former Wimbledon singles finalists from Canada – Milos Raonic and Genie Bouchard – will play World TeamTennis this season, joining previously announced players such as reigning Australian Open singles champion Sofia Kenin, 2017 US Open winner Sloane Stephens and Mike and Bob Bryan, tennis’ all-time winningest doubles team. In addition, six-time Grand Slam champion Kim Clijsters will join U.S. Davis Cup captain Mardy Fish playing for the New York Empire in 2020.

Genie Bouchard, 2017 Citi Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)

Genie Bouchard, 2017 Citi Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)

“I can’t wait for the WTT season to start,” Tiafoe said. “I’ve played WTT for the last three years on the Kastles for some of their home matches in D.C.  I’m excited to go to The Greenbrier to play there for the Kastles next month. Everyone knows 2020 has been a rough year so far. I am definitely looking forward to competing at such a historic venue in such a relaxed setting.”

Sloane Stephens, 2018 US Open (Getty)

Sloane Stephens of the US hits a return to Evgenlya Rodina of Russia during their 2018 US Open women’s match August 27, 2018 in New York. (Photo by Kena Betancur / AFP) (Photo credit should read KENA BETANCUR/AFP/Getty Images)

Added Sloane Stephens: “I’ve played WTT for, I think, six years now, and it’s always something I look forward to. Especially this year. I know we all miss playing tennis and seeing our friends on the tour, so I’m excited to get to The Greenbrier and get in that environment again. WTT always does such a great job with creating a fun, but competitive, season so I’m ready for that. Plus, I’m playing on Chicago’s team, which is cool because Kamau (Murray) is the coach, so that will be fun.”

Kenin, the 21-year-old Floridian who currently sits at a career-high No. 4 singles ranking in the world, will play for the Philadelphia Freedoms. The Vegas Rollers will feature 2017 Wimbledon semifinalist Sam Querrey and the Bryan Brothers.

Two-time Australian Open quarterfinalist Tennys Sandgren will play for the Orlando Storm while doubles specialists Rajeev Ram (Chicago Smash), 2019 WTT Finals MVP Robert Lindstedt (Springfield Lasers) and brothers Neal (New York Empire) and Ken Skupski (Orlando) return this season.

The San Diego Aviators will boast three past Grand Slam doubles champions in Coco Vandeweghe (2018 US Open), Ryan Harrison (2017 French Open) and Nicole Melichar (2018 Wimbledon). Two-time NCAA singles champion Danielle Collins (Virginia in 2014, 2016) will play for Orlando and two-time NCAA singles champion Steve Johnson (with USC in 2011-2012) will lead the Orange County (Calif.) Breakers.

“Our player rosters are the strongest we’ve ever fielded for a WTT season and include multiple players with Grand Slam titles,” WTT CEO Carlos Silva said. “We have a sampling of current stars like Sloane (Stephens), Sofia (Kenin), Vegas Rollers teammates Sam Querrey and Mike and Bob Bryan, as well as a look at tennis’ future impact players with Brandon Nakashima and Caty McNally. Tennis fans are starving to see some great action on the courts and that’s what we plan to deliver all season.”

World TeamTennis’ schedule will include at least three matches per day at Center Court at Creekside, The Greenbrier’s outdoor stadium. Fans can purchase tickets at www.WTTTickets.com.

The following are the player rosters and coaches for the 2020 WTT season (subject to change with future additions):

Chicago Smash: Brandon Nakashima, Sloane Stephens, Evan King, Genie Bouchard, Rajeev Ram: Coach: Kamau Murray

New York Empire: Mardy Fish, Jack Sock, Kim Clijsters, Sabine Lisicki, Neal Skupski, Kveta Peschke. Coach: Luke Jensen

Orange County (Calif.) Breakers: Steve Johnson, Luke Bambridge, Andreja Klepac, Milos Raonic. Coach: Rick Leach

Orlando Storm: James Ward, Danielle Collins, Ken Skupski, Darija Jurak, Tennys Sandgren. Coach: Jay Gooding

Philadelphia Freedoms: Donald Young, Taylor Townsend, Fabrice Martin, Caroline Dolehide, Sofia Kenin. Coach: Craig Kardon

San Diego Aviators: Ryan Harrison, Christina McHale, Jonny O’Mara, Nicole Melichar, Coco Vandeweghe. Coach: John Lloyd

Springfield (Mo.) Lasers: Mitchell Krueger, Olga Govortsova, Robert Lindstedt, Hayley Carter, Jean-Julien Rojer, Caty McNally. Coach: John-Laffnie de Jager

Vegas Rollers: Sam Querrey, Kristie Ahn, Bob Bryan, Mike Bryan, Asia Muhammad, Monica Puig. Coach: Tim Blenkiron

Washington (D.C.) Kastles: Marcelo Arevalo, Bernarda Pera, Nick Monroe, Arina Rodionova, Frances Tiafoe. Coach: Robby Ginepri

All of WTT’s 2020 regular season and playoff matches will be televised on CBS, CBS Sports Network, Tennis Channel or the ESPN family of networks. In addition, select matches will be live-streamed on ESPN+, Facebook Watch or WTT.com. World TeamTennis’ complete season broadcast schedule will be announced on WTT.com at a later date.

Safety guidelines have been put into place by World TeamTennis with guidance of local and state government officials in West Virginia and an adherence to all health and safety protocols set forth by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Every fan at The Greenbrier will be required to pass a temperature check of 100.4 degrees before entering the grounds. All fans will be checked a second time before entering the outdoor stadium, Center Court at Creekside, or indoor court for any matches and will be denied entry should they fail the temperature check.

—S. Pratt

 

2020 @NewYorkOpen Preview, Predictions, Upsets

Posted by Admin on February 10, 2020
Posted in: ATP, New York Open. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

New York Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)

2020 @NewYorkOpen Preview, Predictions, Upsets

Steve Fogleman on Long Island

The New York Open is back for another year in the Coliseum in Hempstead, New York and we’re back as well at this ATP 250 tour event. A 250-level tournament is tricky for marketing purposes: just a couple of months ago, organizers were selling tickets for “Kei Nishikori Night” for Wednesday night’s matches. Then, Nishikori withdrew (as he just did in Delray Beach) and Nick Kyrgios became the celestial focus. Alas, he dropped out with a week to go, leaving it all to John Isner and the top Americans left to showcase. Let’s look at the draw.

John Isner, 2019 New York Open

Top seed John Isner is still looking for his first NY Open title in three tries. Like the other top 3 seeds, he’ll have a bye, meaning he need only win one match to reach the quarterfinals. He’ll face the winner of the Karlovic-Thompson match. There, I am taking Karlovic to avenge his Roland Garros loss to the Australian. In the quarters, Isner’s likely opponent will be 5 seed and fellow American Tennys Sandgren fresh off of yet another successful Australian Open run. Sandgren should ease past Steve Johnson in their first ever pro meeting on hard courts.

Quarterfinal: Isner vs. Sandgren

Reilly Opelka, 2019 New York Open Finalist (TennisAtlantic.com)
Reilly Opelka has his own quarter of the draw as the 3 seed. The 2019 NY Open champion would have been pleased with that, but the draw gods stuck the 2018 champion, Kevin Anderson, right into his section. They will face each other in the quarterfinals if Opelka gets out of his second round match against Nishioka/Laaksonen and Anderson can beat a qualifier and Cam Norrie.

 

Quarterfinal: Opelka vs.Anderson

 

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4 seed Ugo Humbert probably has the most intriguing section of the draw. After a bye, he’ll face the winner of Marcos Giron and one Jack Sock.  At this point, Sock’s level of play is anyone’s guess. Even if Humbert does advance to the quarterfinals, I don’t think he’s a lock to move on any further. That’s because some of the biggest momentum in this section comes from two players: Tommy Paul and Miomir Kecmanovic. I’m picking the Serb to win their first meeting today and to beat the qualifier he’ll face in the second round. It’s a shame that Paul and Kecmanovic were drawn to play each other in the first round, because these young guns are very dangerous, especially in a 250. Currently, Kecmanovic is the underdog at +125 despite being the seeded player in the match.

Quarterfinal: Humbert vs. Kecmanovic

 

Milos Raonic, the 2 seed, also has to deal with a stacked quarter of his own. He starts play in the second round and Soonwoo Kwon will likely be his first opponent. Last year’s finalist is this year’s wildcard and Brayden Schnur would love to get back on track here in New York. Unfortunately, he’s drawn Dominik Koepfer in R1 in their first meeting and that match is going to be a tough out. However, with his 6-1 record on the black courts of the Coliseum, I would consider Schnur a value bet at +145. An all-Canadian quarter would be nice.

Quarterfinal: Raonic vs. Schnur

On a hunch, I think a Japanese player will advance to the second round, but I haven’t figured out which one yet. Yasutaka Uchiyama is a big first round underdog against Kyle Edmund. I will pick an upset of Yoshihito Nishioka today by Henri Laaksonen (+295). Or perhaps it will be top qualifying seed Go Soeda if he can get past Bernard Tomic today.

As always, this information is for amusement purposes only. And in just a few hours, the indoor main draw carnival begins.

2019 @BrisbaneTennis Has Dimitrov, Nishikori, and Raonic Looking To Get On Track

Posted by Admin on January 2, 2019
Posted in: ATP, Brisbane, Steen Kirby. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

2019 ATP Brisbane Has Dimitrov, Nishikori, and Raonic Looking To Get On Track
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

ATP Brisbane is the start of the season for a good number of top players as they prepare for the Australian Open under the Australian sun. With the early rounds complete we take a look at the quarterfinals and beyond at this ATP 250 on hard courts.

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Quarters

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs Alex De Minaur

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Operating under a protected ranking, former AO finalist Tsonga has defeated Thanasi Kokkinakis and Taro Daniel to reach this stage. He benefited from Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal due to fatigue before Nadal was due to play his opening match. Home hero ADM, a rising star, represents a far tougher challenge though. ADM plays well at home and hasn’t dropped a set so far. Tsonga has experience but he’s still a bit shaky at times and I’d expect De Minaur to reach the semis.

Daniil Medvedev vs Milos Raonic

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After a rough 2018 for the formerly top 10 Raonic, he’s in good form so far, defeating Aljaz Bedene and Miomir Kecmanovic in straight sets, with his serve game firing. This is another match where the young gun should have an edge over the legacy name though. The rising Medvedev (age 22) got a bye into round 2 and eased past a still sluggish Andy Murray in straight sets. Medvedev has dark horse potential at the AO and should be favored here.

Jeremy Chardy vs Yasutaka Uchiyama

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Chardy upset a spider bit Nick Kyrgios and has once again reached the quarters of an ATP event. He’s not an elite player, but the Frenchman excels at playing at a good (but not great) level. He should have an edge over the less experienced Uchiyama, similarly to how he edged past J.L. Struff in three sets in round 1. The qualifier Uchiyama edged Ugo Humbert in round 1 before stunning Kyle Edmund in straight sets in round 2. It’s been a disappointing start for British tennis in Australia.

Grigor Dimitrov vs Kei Nishikori

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These two generational talents have significant history, including a 2017 Brisbane final meeting that saw Dimitrov prevail. Nishikori has won 4 of 5 meetings though and after a routine win against Denis Kudla he should be favored against the inconsistent Dimitrov. Dimitrov is aiming to return to the top 10 after a disappointing 2018, and a win against the top 10 Nishikori would be huge though. I expect a battle with Nishikori taking it.

Projected semifinals
Medvedev d. De Minaur
Nishikori d. Chardy

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A rematch of last year’s Sydney finals in the semis of Brisbane, Medvedev is likely ahead of ADM at this point in their careers but it should be close. Nishikori is expected to lift the title though as he’s the most talented player left in the draw and his form looks solid.

Projected Final
Nishikori d. Medvedev

 

 

Kyle Edmund The Top Seed @eurotennisopen 2018

Posted by Admin on October 14, 2018
Posted in: Antwerp, ATP, Steen Kirby. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Kyle Edmund The Top Seed at ATP Antwerp 2018
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

The ATP 250 in Antwerp is a great opportunity for players to pick up points late in the season as the ATP Tour returns to Europe for its final indoor swing.

Top Half:

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Kyle Edmund looks to be in good shape to continue his run of form and defeat a qualifier or Albert Ramos to reach the quarterfinals. I have Edmund facing Robin Haase in the quarterfinals after Haase defeats a qualifier and Yuki Bhambri/Roberto Carballes Baena. Edmund will be favored into the semifinals.

Richard Gasquet should also have a good tournament, Gasquet opens with Jaume Munar or Jiri Vesely, he’ll be a heavy favorite in that match, with J.L. Struff up in the quarters after Struff defeats Jozef Kovalik, and Frances Tiafoe or Feliciano Lopez. Gasquet over Struff is my pick.

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Bottom Half:

The bottom half of the draw is interesting, I’ll back Gilles Simon to make a run with Simon defeating a qualifier, Nicolas Jarry/MacKenzie McDonald, and Diego Schwartzman. The #2 seed Schwartzman faces Cam Norrie or a qualifier first up.

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Milos Raonic should be set to have a strong tournament as well. Raonic will be favored against Leonardo Mayer or countryman Vasek Pospisil, with struggling French veterans Gael Monfils and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga likely to face off in round 2. Tsonga opens with Guido Pella, while Monfils takes on local player Ruben Bemelmans. I’ll take Raonic over Tsonga in the quarters.

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Predictions

Semis
Edmund d. Gasquet
Raonic d, Simon

I’ll back Edmund and Raonic to find form this tournament, with Raonic’s serve helping him indoors to grab a win.

Final
Raonic d. Edmund

Japanese Favorites Kei Nishikori, Taro Daniel, and Yoshihito Nishioka Target 2018 ATP Tokyo Title

Posted by Admin on September 30, 2018
Posted in: ATP, Steen Kirby, Tokyo. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Japanese Favorites Kei Nishikori, Taro Daniel, and Yoshihito Nishioka Target 2018 ATP Tokyo Title
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

Both home and international talent feature at the ATP 500 Japan Open in Tokyo. Here is your look at all the upcoming action from Japan’s only ATP World Tour tournament.

Top Half:

Marin Cilic had a strong hard court summer, but he’ll get a tough start to the Asian swing as his section begins with J.L. Struff, and is then set to feature Jeremy Chardy/Damir Dzumhur in round 2, and a tough quarterfinal opponent, between Stan Wawrinka/Taylor Fritz or Denis Shapovalov/Hyeon Chung. Wawrinka has come back into form and I’ll back him against Fritz, a semifinalist in China last week, and Shapovalov/Chung, with Cilic still favored to advance from his section.

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Milos Raonic will be favored in section 2, the big serving Canadian faces a struggling Adrian Mannarino first, with either Robin Haase or qualifier Yosuke Watanuki up in round 2. I’ll back qualifiers Daniil Medvedev and Martin Klizan to win their first round matches, with Klizan, a finalist in St. Petersburg, defeating Steve Johnson, and Medvedev edging #4 seed Diego Schwartzman. Raonic over Medvedev is my pick for the section.

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Bottom Half:

Kevin Anderson will be favored in his first two matches against Matt Ebden and Frances Tiafoe/Max Marterer. Ebden has played well enough to suggest he has a shot against Anderson but he’s still the underdog. Nick Kyrgios should be favored against Shenzhen champ and home favorite Yoshihito Nishioka, and I’ll give him the edge, if focused and fit, against Richard Gasquet. Gasquet opens with Denis Kudla and he’s not in great form, Anderson over Kyrgios is my quarterfinal pick.

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Kei Nishikori‘s section has him starting out against countryman Yuichi Sugita, he should win that and also defeat Benoit Paire/Nicolas Jarry in round 2. Metz champ Gilles Simon has a tough match with Alex De Minaur, a semifinalist last week, first up. Simon should win that and also upset Stefanos Tsitsipas (or Taro Daniel), as his form is better than the young Greek. Nishikori over fellow veteran Simon should be the outcome of section 3.

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Predictions

Semis
Cilic d. Raonic
Nisihkori d. Anderson

I’ll back Kei at home against a host of bigger hitters, while Cilic or Raonic should be equally favored to emerge from the top half. This is a tough tournament to predict but Nishikori has the most at stake and should fight the hardest to win.

Final
Nishikori d. Cilic

Stan the Man Struggles But Advances, Tsitsipas Stunned by Medvedev

Posted by Admin on August 29, 2018
Posted in: ATP, US Open. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Stan Wawrinka, 2018 US Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)

Stan the Man Struggles But Advances, Tsitsipas Stunned by Medvedev
Steve Fogleman in New York

 Stan Wawrinka came out to an appreciative crowd at the US Open Grandstand this afternoon, and after the win, he stuck around in the oppressive conditions to greet the fans. Ugo Humbert, in the US Open main draw for the first time, was vanquished by the Man, 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-3,7-5.

“Yeah, it was tough conditions today,” he said after the match and a cooldown.  “Quite hot and humid last few days, already yesterday. But a battle to play a player that never played before (Humbert), young player. He’s been playing really well this summer, recently: qualifier, won a match, lefty, doesn’t give you a lot of rhythm. Playing a great game.”

Stan Wawrinka, 2018 US Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)

Stan Wawrinka, 2018 US Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)

 

Milos Raonic will be his next test on Friday.  “Big match, that’s for sure,” he said. “He’s playing well. Also he had some injuries, had some struggles. But I think he’s playing great tennis. He’s always been a tough opponent to play. Serving big, putting a lot of pressure, going for it. Don’t get a lot of chance to break him, but you need to take them.”

Daniil Medvedev, 2018 US Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)

Daniil Medvedev, 2018 US Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)

One of this summer’s hottest stars on the ATP Tour was bested by another streaking young ATP star as Daniil Medvedev proved the better player than Stefanos Tsitsipas. Medvedev advanced to the third round with a 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 win. After the match, Tsitsipas had a lot to say about the heat and made a prediction on our 2018 US Open Men’s Singles champ.

Daniil Medvedev, 2018 US Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)

“Well, yeah, oh, my God, it was so tough to play outside there,” he said.  “I could feel it every single time I went to serve/return. I could feel all this heat coming into my face. I don’t know if I’m red. I didn’t check myself on the mirror, but I feel like my face is, like, burning right now.”

“Well, you know, yeah, it’s mental, because you don’t have fresh air to breathe. You breathe this heat that’s coming, the moisture that’s in the air. So you feel like you’re empty. You’re not breathing out, breathing in, breathing out, so it feels really awkward to be playing like this. There is no fresh air. It’s like you feel like you’re playing in the desert, really. I don’t know if the desert is that humid, but it feels — mentally, yeah, I believe that the one that’s gonna win this tournament is going to be the one that mentally is prepared for long matches in the heat and knows that he’s gonna have to overcome the difficulties of the heat. So that’s the guy who’s gonna win the tournament.”

“Most possibly I believe it’s Nadal. Yeah, he played well last year, so I believe he can do it well this year, as well.”

You heard it here first, folks.

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer the @USOpen 2018 Favorites

Posted by Admin on August 26, 2018
Posted in: ATP, Steen Kirby, US Open. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer The US Open 2018 Favorites
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

The final slam of the season is here as most players are healthy and ready to go one more time at the highest level of tennis. Here is your look at the men’s draw and the chances for each competitor in Flushing Meadows at the 2018 US Open.

Nadal’s Quarter

The defending and three time US Open champion Rafael Nadal will begin against his countryman David Ferrer, who is taking part in his final US Open. Ferrer has been in a slump at the end of his career, meaning Nadal will be a strong favorite. Nadal should also ease past Vasek Pospisil or Lukas Lacko with the talented Karen Khachanov awaiting round 3. Khachanov has an easy path of Albert Ramos, a retiring Gilles Muller/Lorenzo Sonego before the third round. Presuming he stays fit Nadal should reach week 2.

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The section below Rafa is relatively weak. Jack Sock is seeded but he’s been worse than challenger level players this year, I have Sock falling to Guido Andreozzi in round 1, Nikoloz Basilashvili should beat Aljaz Bedene and Andreozzi with Kyle Edmund getting past Paolo Lorenzi and Casper Ruud/Guido Pella to reach round 3. Edmund over Basilashvili is my pick for the section.

On hard courts Dominic Thiem could be vulnerable in round 2 against Steve Johnson. Thiem will be favored against Mirza Basic in round 1 but I have Johnson defeating Denis Istomin and then upsetting Thiem after reaching the Winston-Salem final. Roberto Bautista Agut should get past Jason Kubler and Mischa Zverev/Taylor Fritz before defeating Johnson in round 3.

Kevin Anderson plays well in slams and at the US Open, Anderson should get past a challenging early round path with Ryan Harrison and Andrey Rublev/Jeremy Chardy on deck, Denis Shapovalov takes on rising countryman Felix Auger Aliassime in round 1, the winner gets Sam Querrey/Andreas Seppi. I have Anderson over Shapovalov in round 3 after Anderson beats Rublev and Shapovalov defeats Querrey.

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Del Potro’s Quarter

Juan Martin Del Potro will begin against American Donald Young with Denis Kudla or Matteo Berrettini waiting on deck. The former US Open champion Del Potro should defeat Young and Kudla followed by Andy Murray, who continues to make strides towards recovery post hip surgery. Murray should have enough game to defeat James Duckworth and Feliciano Lopez/Fernando Verdasco, but Del Potro is the favorite to win the section.

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Stefanos Tsitsipas is looking to have his breakout slam at the US Open, the young Greek opens against ageless veteran Tommy Robredo, followed by Winston-Salem champ Daniil Medvedev (or Evgeny Donskoy). Medvedev is tough but a fresher Tsitsipas should win and then defeat Borna Coric in round 3 to reach the second week (Coric should ease past Florian Mayer and Roberto Carballes Baena/Mitchell Krueger).

American #1 John Isner isn’t in great form but he should defeat Bradley Klahn, Nicolas Jarry/Peter Gojowczyk and Cam Norrie to reach the second week. Norrie has risen this year and will be the favorite against Jordan Thompson and Damir Dzumhur/Dusan Lajovic, I also wouldn’t put it past him to stun Isner.

Milos Raonic will start against Carlos Berlocq with Lloyd Harris/Gilles Simon waiting on deck. Raonic should get past Harris, who I have upsetting Simon based on great recent form. I’ll also back Stan Wawrinka to upset Grigor Dimitrov, then defeat Ugo Humbert or Collin Altamirano, two players in good form to reach the third round. Raonic over Wawrinka is my pick at that stage.

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Zverev’s Quarter

Alexander Zverev is playing well enough that he’s the 4th favorite for the US Open title. Zverev opens with Peter Polansky, who has made all 4 slam main draws this year as a lucky loser. He’ll be heavily favored to advance from a weak section that features Jiri Vesely/Corentin Moutet in round 2, an either Matthew Ebden or Yannick Hanfmann in round 3. Hanfmann faces a struggling Philipp Kohlschreiber, while Ebden takes on a struggling Filip Krajinovic.

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Kei Nishikori opens with Max Marterer, Facundo Bagnis/Gael Monfils will follow, with Diego Schwartzman likely in round 3. Schwartzman takes on Federico Delbonis with the winner of Jaume Munar/Guillermo Garcia-Lopez awaiting in round 2. I have Schwartzman over Munar and Nishikori over Monfils with Nishikori winning the section.

David Goffin will be favored to reach week 2 after a good run in Cincy. Goffin takes on Federico Gaio with Robin Haase/Mackenzie McDonald next. Haase has been in good form as well though and with Goffin being inconsistent this year I’ll back an upset with Haase into round 3 opposite J.L. Struff. Struff takes on Tim Smyczek with Marco Cecchinato/Julien Benneteau up in round 2. Haase is one of my dark horses for the tournament.

Frances Tiafoe has a real opportunity here with Adrian Mannarino up in round 1 and Taro Daniel/Alex De Minaur to follow. The young American can  win those two matches before running into a tough contest against Marin Cilic.  Cilic is heavily favored against Marius Copil and Stefano Travaglia/Hubert Hurkacz. I have Cilic winning the section.

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Federer’s Quarter

Roger Federer will begin against Yoshihito Nishioka, Federer should ease past Nishioka and Benoit Paire/Dennis Novak without dropping a set before facing a tougher test against Nick Kyrgios. Kyrgios has been out of form and focus but he’ll still be favored against Radu Albot and Yuki Bhambri/Pierre-Hugues Herbert. Federer over Kyrgios is the safe pick.

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Hyeon Chung opens with Ricardas Berankis, he’ll be tested by Noah Rubin in round 2 presuming Rubin defeats Mikhail Kukushkin. I’ll back Rubin to upset a still shaky Chung before falling to Fabio Fognini in round 3. The in-form Fognini opens with Michael Mmoh, young gun Jenson Brooksby or John Millman will be up in round 2.

Pablo Carreno Busta opens with Malek Jaziri, he’ll be a heavy favorite in his first two matches against a struggling Jaziri and Joao Sousa/Marcel Granollers, Sousa is in terrible form. In round 3 I expect Lucas Pouille to be waiting, Pouille opens with Yannick Maden, then gets the winner of Marcos Baghdatis/Mikhail Youhzny. It’s Youzhny’s final US Open but he’s likely to go out round 1. Carreno Busta over Pouille is my pick for the section.

Novak Djokovic doesn’t have his own section but he’s the tournament favorite. The Serbian superstar and Cincy champion opens with Marton Fucsovics while Richard Gasquet should beat Yuichi Sugita and Laslo Djere/Leonardo Mayer to reach round 3. Djokovic has to beat Tennys Sandgren/Viktor Troicki to do the same. Gasquet is in poor form and should be wary of Mayer but either way Djokovic will advance into week 2.

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Predictions

Round of 16
Nadal d. Edmund
Anderson d. Bautista Agut
Del Potro  d. Tsitsipas
Raonic d. Isner
Cilic d. Haase
Zverev d. Nishikori
Djokovic d. Carreno Busta
Federer d. Fognini

Upsets shouldn’t be too rampant in the round of 16, Del Potro and Raonic could get knocked off and Zverev isn’t always at his best in slams, but generally speaking things look straightforward, especially if Federer puts away Fognini.

Quarters
Nadal d. Anderson
Del Potro d. Raonic
Cilic d. Zverev
Djokovic d. Federer

I’ll back veterans Del Potro and Cilic to have good weeks with Djokovic the favorite against Federer and Nadal the favorite to reach the semis.

Semis
Nadal d. Del Potro
Djokovic d. Cilic

Djokovic should be the favorite this year while Nadal deserves credit as the winner last year. These are the top two in the game right now and Djokovic should win the final.

Final
Djokovic d. Nadal

Rafael Nadal, Alexander Zverev, and Juan Martin Del Potro Vie for @RogersCup 2018

Posted by Admin on August 5, 2018
Posted in: ATP, Rogers Cup, Steen Kirby, Toronto. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Rafael Nadal, Alexander Zverev, and Juan Martin Del Potro Vie for 2018 Rogers Cup
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

The 2018 Rogers Cup in Toronto is the first of two ATP Masters 1000 tournaments on North American Hard Courts this Summer. Here is your look at all the action.

Nadal’s Quarter

Rafael Nadal hasn’t played on a hard court for months but he’s put together a great season overall and has to be one of the favorites in Toronto. Nadal should ease past Jared Donaldson or a struggling Benoit Paire. The section just below Rafa is interesting. Marton Fucsovics faces Joao Sousa, Stan Wawrinka will face Nick Kyrgios. Every player in the section is struggling, and Kyrgios hasn’t been fit. This seems like a good opportunity for Wawrinka or Kyrgios to find a run of form, but Nadal will be favored to prevail in the section.

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Marin Cilic will have an interesting matchup with countryman Borna Coric in the second round. Coric will have to beat home favorite Vasek Pospisil in round 1, while Cilic will be favored into the third round. Sam Querrey will be favored against Adrian Mannarino while I have Kyle Edmund reaching round 3, with Edmund defeating Diego Schwartzman, and Querrey before falling to Cilic.

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Del Potro’s Quarter

Juan Martin Del Potro gets a brutal round 2 matchup against Kei Nisihkori, presuming Nishikori defeats Robin Haase. With Del Potro having reached the final in Los Cabos he will probably edge Nishikori before facing either home favorite Denis Shapovalov or Fabio Fognini, who defeated him in Los Cabos. Shapovalov opens with Jeremy Chardy, while Fognini faces Steve Johnson. Fatigue could impact this section as I have Shapovalov upsetting Fognini before falling to Del Potro.

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John Isner played a poor match in Washington but he looks set to rebound in Toronto. Isner will face Albert Ramos or Pierre Hugues-Herbert. Isner should reach the third round to face off with Pablo Carreno Busta. PCB opens with Yoshihito Nishioka, then an interesting match with Karen Khachanov (or Filip Krajinovic) awaits. A surprise could emerge from the section but Isner over pCB seems sensible.

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Anderson’s Quarter

Kevin Anderson returns to tour after a great run at Wimbledon. Anderson could be challenged by Washington semifinalist Andrey Rublev, presuming Rublev defeats countryman Evgeny Donskoy in round 1. Anderson will be favored against Roberto Bautista Agut in the third round, presuming Bautista Agut can get past a tricky match against Ryan Harrison, and then defeats Yuichi Sugita/Ilya Ivashka.

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Milos Raonic will be the favorite as he returns to Canada to face David Goffin in the opening round. Goffin has not been consistent lately. Raonic should also ease past Marco Cecchinato/Frances Tiafoe. Fernando Verdasco should beat Peter Gojowczyk before falling to Grigor Dimitrov. Raonic over Dimitrov, who has been poor lately, is a good third round projection.

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Zverev’s Quarter

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Washington champ Alexander Zverev should dominate David Ferrer or Bradley Klahn if he’s fit. I’ll back another Canadian in the draw, young gun Felix Auger Aliassime to upset Lucas Pouille before facing off with either Daniil Medvedev or a struggling Jack Sock. Zverev over Medvedev is my pick for the third round, though Auger Aliassime should surprise.

Novak Djokovic will face off with Hyeon Chung, Matthew Ebden should defeat Peter Polansky before falling to Djokovic in round 2. Dominic Thiem will take on Washington semifinalist Stefanos Tsitsipas , as Tsitsipas should defeat Damir Dzumhur. Djokovic over Thiem is the wise third round projection.

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Predictions

Quarters
Nadal d. Cilic
Del Potro d. Isner
Anderson d. Raonic
Djokovic d. Zverev

All of the projected losers could go through and these quarterfinals should be close, but the favorites appear likely to prevail.

Semis
Nadal d. Del Potro
Djokovic d. Anderson

Djokovic won Wimbledon and on hard courts he should be favored to lift the Rogers Cup.

Final
Djokovic d. Nadal

Federer, Nadal, Nishikori, and Del Potro In the Running for Wimbledon Title on Week 2

Posted by Admin on July 8, 2018
Posted in: ATP, Steen Kirby, Wimbledon. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Federer, Nadal, Nishikori, and Del Potro In the Running for Wimbledon Title on Week 2
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

Wimbledon’s opening week is in the books, here is your look at the remaining 16 players in the field who will decide the champion in men’s singles in just a few days.

Men’s Round of 16 matchups

Roger Federer vs Adrian Mannarino

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Federer has yet to drop a set this tournament, and dominates the h2h against Mannarino. He’ll be a heavy favorite to reach the quarters yet again as Mannarino should be fatigued after a 5 set win against Daniil Medvedev. Federer’s game on grass is showing no signs of slowing down.

Gael Monfils vs Kevin Anderson

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The veteran Monfils leads the h2h 5-0 against the big serving Anderson. The Frenchman is playing some peak tennis at Wimbledon and has been cool and collected this tournament winning in 4 sets against Sam Querrey in round 3, and also Paolo Lorenzi in 4 sets in round 2 and Richard Gasquet in straights round 1.

Anderson dropped a set against Andreas Seppi in round 2, but eased past Philipp Kohlschreiber in round 3. This should be a cracking contest, but with Monfils leading the h2h and serving well he should be the favorite to edge past Anderson.

Mackenzie McDonald vs Milos Raonic

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Wins over Ricardas Berankis, Nicolas Jarry, and Guido Pella have put Mackenzie McDonald into a career best position. The young American has played some fantastic tennis in the opening week, including an 11-9 5 set win against Jarry in round 2. His next opponent, Milos Raonic will be the toughest test yet. Raonic dropped a set against Dennis Novak in the third round, but he’s been solid overall. With Raonic playing this well an upset looks unlikely, the Manitoba missile should advance.

John Isner vs Stefanos Tsitsipas

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A big result for both players, Isner needed 5 sets against Ruben Bemelmans in round 2, but his first and third round wins came in straights. Tsitsipas needed 5 sets against Jared Donaldson, but a third round win over Thomas Fabbiano put him into the second week. Tsitipas has taken advantage of early exits from Grigor Dimitrov and Stan Wawrinka to emerge as a contender. Isner for his part has posted a better result on Wimbledon than usual. This match could go either way, it will be Isner’s experience against Tsitsipas immense talent.

Karen Khachanov vs Novak Djokovic

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Djokovic fans should be thrilled by his performance so far. He dropped a set against Kyle Edmund but fought back to win that third round match in 4, his only meaningful test in three matches. The Serbian superstar should now face a fatigued Karen Khachanov. Khachanov edged David Ferrer in 4 sets then won 5 setters against Marcos Baghdatis and Frances Tiafoe. This is a great result for Khachanov to make it this far, but I’d be stunned if he could make inroads against an in-form Djokovic.

Kei Nishikori vs Ernests Gulbis

This could be a special tournament for Nishikori. He dropped sets against Christian Harrison and  Bernard Tomic in the first 2 rounds, in round 3 Nishikori blitzed past a struggling Nick Kyrgios to secure passage into the second week.  Gulbis is a massive story as well, the former top 20 player qualified and then won three consecutive 5 set matches to reach this stage. Gulbis defeated Jay Clarke, Damir Dzumhur, and top 5 seed Alexander Zverev in his three main draw matches. The loss was a big blow for Zverev, but Gulbis now has an opportunity to resurrect his troubled career. Gulbis has always had the talent but Nishikori should be the favorite.

Juan Martin Del Potro vs Gilles Simon

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An intriguing battle of veterans, Del Potro hasn’t dropped a set this tournament including in round 2 and round 3 victories against  Feliciano Lopez and Benoit Paire respectively. Those players are no pushovers, so it’s a sign Del Potro is really feeling it right now. Simon dropped a set against Matt Ebden in round 3, but he’s otherwise played well, winning the matches he should. Del Potro is a step up though and the Argentine should go through.

Jiri Vesely vs Rafael Nadal

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Jiri Vesely dropped sets against Florian Mayer and Fabio Fognini but he’s advanced to this stage to get a crack at Nadal. Nadal is in great form and hasn’t dropped a set in three routine matches. WIth Nadal playing so well it looks like anything is possible, and I don’t see Vesely stopping him. Nadal should be proud of his performances.

Quarters
Federer d. Monfils
Raonic d. Isner
Djokovic d. Nishikori
Del Potro d. Nadal

Federer and Djokovic should go through here, while Del Potro deserves the benefit of the doubt on grass, and Raonic is also solid on this surface.

Semis
Federer d. Raonic
Del Potro d. Djokovic

Federer remains the favorite, with Del Potro and Djokovic also potential trophy lifters.

Final
Federer d. Del Potro