KingRevolver
Born Rambler
Today I focused my attention on the Mens Singles Main Draw for the upcoming Masters- (March 23 to April 3, 2011)
Here are some of my thoughts and who I believe will be in the Final.
You can look @ the draws here:
Tennis - Sony Ericsson Open - Draws
What I first noticed, as I went down both brackets, was Nadal and Federer both in the top half. Normally, this would be quite interesting, but I'm not expecting them to meet each other.
Rafa Nadal
It's difficult to say what Nadal's frame of mind will be coming into Miami.
He suffered one of the toughest losses of his career in the Indian Wells Final to Novak Djokovic. But as many know, Nadal has plenty of mental fortitude, and the heart of a lion. His first real test would be in the 4th round, where he'd face either Alexandr Dolgopolov or Jo-Willy Tsonga. I think the Ukrainian (Dolgopolov) can make some waves in this spot. An unorthodox player with speed. He has the same all-court awareness that Nadal displays, and is a good counter-puncher. He can be a tricky enough opponent to give Nadal trouble and take him out of contention. Of course, this all depends on Nadal's motivation.
Roger Federer
Alas! Ah, Roger. What can I say? I'm fed up with Fed. The man most tennis fans can't seem to let go of, and accept that he just isn't the same player. Fedex hasn't really done much in Miami since '06, and I'm not expecting much this year. It wouldn't even surprise me to see a savvy and tricky veteran like Radek Stepanek push Roger to a third set, in his first match. Expect Federer to lose in the 4th round to either, Marco Baghdatis, or the mad Russian- Mikhail Youzhny.
Novak Djokovic
Cheers to the Serb! 'The Joker' remains undefeated this year- winning 18 matches in a row- including the first Grand Slam title of the year. He's the best tennis player going at the moment, and it's hard to go against him here. I look at his side of the draw and can't find anyone who can touch him. Maybe Djokovic's countrymen, Viktor Troicki, can give him trouble in the 4th round? I don't think so, he never has. Bellucci, Blake, Troicki, Querrey, Verdasco? It'll be smooth sailing to the Finals, as long as he comes into Miami with the same determination.
Andy Murray
Who? Yeah, it's really easy to forget about this kid, because no one knows where he's at or what's wrong with him. He's coming off a loss to Donald Young @ Indian Wells. Pathetic. He also lost to Baghdatis @ Rotterdam. Two losses in a row since his collapse in the Aussie Open Final. Andy Murray's biggest enemy is himself. He did win the Miami Masters in 2009, but that was a different time. I also noticed a pattern as I looked at his past matches. If he performed well @ Indian Wells, that year, he'd continue the success in Miami. If he performed poorly, that year, he'd do the same in Miami. I expect him to easily get past Hanescu in his first match, unless he's really gone off the deep end, but he'll lose to John Isner in the match after. Last year, Murray lost to Mardy Fish in his first match. He has nothing to defend this year.
Andy Roddick
Andy loves playing here. He won last year, and he'll want to defend his title. Marin Cilic could give him trouble, as he has in the past, if they met in the 4th round, but Cilic is so inconsistent. Melzer could be his other opponent, but both Cilic and Melzer haven't had much success in any of the American Masters. As long as Andy's serving well, his part of the draw is easy enough for him to advance to the late rounds.
Finals Prediction: Andy Roddick vs. Novak Djokovic
Here are some of my thoughts and who I believe will be in the Final.
You can look @ the draws here:
Tennis - Sony Ericsson Open - Draws
What I first noticed, as I went down both brackets, was Nadal and Federer both in the top half. Normally, this would be quite interesting, but I'm not expecting them to meet each other.
Rafa Nadal
It's difficult to say what Nadal's frame of mind will be coming into Miami.
He suffered one of the toughest losses of his career in the Indian Wells Final to Novak Djokovic. But as many know, Nadal has plenty of mental fortitude, and the heart of a lion. His first real test would be in the 4th round, where he'd face either Alexandr Dolgopolov or Jo-Willy Tsonga. I think the Ukrainian (Dolgopolov) can make some waves in this spot. An unorthodox player with speed. He has the same all-court awareness that Nadal displays, and is a good counter-puncher. He can be a tricky enough opponent to give Nadal trouble and take him out of contention. Of course, this all depends on Nadal's motivation.
Roger Federer
Alas! Ah, Roger. What can I say? I'm fed up with Fed. The man most tennis fans can't seem to let go of, and accept that he just isn't the same player. Fedex hasn't really done much in Miami since '06, and I'm not expecting much this year. It wouldn't even surprise me to see a savvy and tricky veteran like Radek Stepanek push Roger to a third set, in his first match. Expect Federer to lose in the 4th round to either, Marco Baghdatis, or the mad Russian- Mikhail Youzhny.
Novak Djokovic
Cheers to the Serb! 'The Joker' remains undefeated this year- winning 18 matches in a row- including the first Grand Slam title of the year. He's the best tennis player going at the moment, and it's hard to go against him here. I look at his side of the draw and can't find anyone who can touch him. Maybe Djokovic's countrymen, Viktor Troicki, can give him trouble in the 4th round? I don't think so, he never has. Bellucci, Blake, Troicki, Querrey, Verdasco? It'll be smooth sailing to the Finals, as long as he comes into Miami with the same determination.
Andy Murray
Who? Yeah, it's really easy to forget about this kid, because no one knows where he's at or what's wrong with him. He's coming off a loss to Donald Young @ Indian Wells. Pathetic. He also lost to Baghdatis @ Rotterdam. Two losses in a row since his collapse in the Aussie Open Final. Andy Murray's biggest enemy is himself. He did win the Miami Masters in 2009, but that was a different time. I also noticed a pattern as I looked at his past matches. If he performed well @ Indian Wells, that year, he'd continue the success in Miami. If he performed poorly, that year, he'd do the same in Miami. I expect him to easily get past Hanescu in his first match, unless he's really gone off the deep end, but he'll lose to John Isner in the match after. Last year, Murray lost to Mardy Fish in his first match. He has nothing to defend this year.
Andy Roddick
Andy loves playing here. He won last year, and he'll want to defend his title. Marin Cilic could give him trouble, as he has in the past, if they met in the 4th round, but Cilic is so inconsistent. Melzer could be his other opponent, but both Cilic and Melzer haven't had much success in any of the American Masters. As long as Andy's serving well, his part of the draw is easy enough for him to advance to the late rounds.
Finals Prediction: Andy Roddick vs. Novak Djokovic