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Post by falafaclese on Jan 3, 2008 19:23:29 GMT
I think Roger will win 2 out of his 3 usual majors this year, but (and how about this?) I think he'll win the French! Just call me PMac. I'm not exactly confident about that, but it would be an interesting development if he did.
Seriously though, I am really looking forward to this year too. I think it's because there is so much potential for change in the top 25 ranking range in both tours. I do think that Roger will have the toughest time in Melbourne this year. Barring injury, if he drops one of the majors outside of the French, it will be the Aussy.
I also think that Nalby will continue his improved results, but I also think that he will continue to be sporadic through the year.
I don't think Hewitt has it. I think he'll repeat his mostly 4th round finishes in the majors, and may do somewhat better in the Masters tournaments, but if he wins anything, it will be a smaller tournament.
Murray will definitely make the top 5 this year, and I think that although Djoker will stay in the top 10, he'll have some problems dealing with the pressure this year.
In terms of breakouts, I think Tsonga will continue to rise, and I also think Volandri (yeah, I know he's kind of random, but I've been noticing him lately)will jump up ranking. Isner, on the other hand, will languish a little bit. I don't like to be a hater, especially because he seems like a nice kid, but I think all the hype about his serve has deflected attention away from his ground game which is not great in my opinion, and I think he'll have some trouble developing it this year. I do think he and Karlovic will have some success in doubles though, and his partnership with Ivo may be a good learning experience.
I 'm interested in watching Young, Cilic and JMDP among the youngsters, and also Ancic who I think will also have a resurgence.
ETA: By the way, the following quote has been attributed to Serena:
But I've only been able to find the first part of it in her interview transcript. Does anyone know if she actually said "Justine you have been warned?" Or was it a misquote?
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Post by lizm on Jan 3, 2008 20:39:26 GMT
*sheepish* I admit to shenanegans - identity theft and all that... Thanks for the birthday greetings anyway :-)
I'm looking forward to this year's tennis. Feds is always poised to make history, Rafa's adorable, Djoko's entertaining (hey, I like him, mostly). On the women's side, there's a delicious SUPERvillain (Justine, yeah she's mellowed and I still hate her, but nothing can take away from her tennis!), the slightly crazy Williams sisters, the comebacks (hopefully), the shriekers...
Can't wait!
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Post by curlywhirly on Jan 3, 2008 21:15:12 GMT
ETA: By the way, the following quote has been attributed to Serena: But I've only been able to find the first part of it in her interview transcript. Does anyone know if she actually said "Justine you have been warned?" Or was it a misquote? From what I've read, "Justine, you have been warned" did NOT come out of Serena's mouth. That was an addition by a cheeky writer and subsequently the quote marks were pushed too far, making it look like one long Serena quote. That doesnt' even sound like something she'd say. Speaking of Serena, she does look to be in noticeably better shape than last fall. The reports of her being in 2002-03 shape are exaggerated though. I don't think she can ever achieve that bod again. But she looks pretty great. I still think her movement could improve though. Venus was veeery impressive in her first Hong Kong match. Jelena Jankovic hurt herself during her Hopman Cup match against Golovin but last I heard she still intends to play Serena in the final. You'd think she's want to be safe and save herself for AO if right now she isn't 100%. That girl doesn't make the smartest decisions. I also think Fed will win two slams this year. I really wouldn't mind a first time slam winner for both the ladies and the gents. Murray is headed straight for the top 5 and I think we will see him reach at least the semis of both Wimby and USO and have several strong performances in masters series events. Actually I am even more confident that Naldandian will be top 5: he has NOTHING to defend until Madrid (!) in October. End of year top 5 will be Fed, Nadal, Djoko, Nably and Murray, maybe not necessarily in that order. Nalby is my dream winner of the AO *sigh*
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Post by printwhoreatwork on Jan 3, 2008 21:17:29 GMT
Thanks for the correction, falafaclese, I did get to see the video and I agree that it didn't sound particularly lewd or anything.
As for 2008, my predictions:
Not too sure about Murray making the top 5. He's got a pretty dismal record against all of his peers of the 85-87 generation, scoring only one win against Berdych. I'm probably in the minority here but I really don't see anything special or superlative about his game. Considering that the LTA has paid so damned much for him, he's underperforming.
If there's one slam that Fed is bound to lose this year, it would probably be Wimbledon. The pressure is going to be immense. Australia should be a cakewalk in comparison. Then again, Fed likes pressure.
As for Gasquet, I think he's more in the mold of Cedric Pioline than Xavier Malisse. Considering that a lot of people call Pioline the proto-Fed, that's kind of apt.
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Post by chestylarue on Jan 3, 2008 21:42:14 GMT
printwhore- I just think we will never agree about players. I find Murray to be one of the more creative players out there- and he can use the whole court when he wants to. He has a pretty full bag of tricks- and I thought his first two sets against Nadal at the Aussie Open were some of the most fun tennis I saw last year. He is still young- and has been injured a lot more than say Nole or Berdych. He has had the bad luck of getting injured when he reaches some good momentum. So I am not yet ready to dismiss him as just underperforming- I think his injuries have a lot to do with it. You are correct though and I was mistaken that he has not beaten Nole yet- but I think it will come. He just needs to get rid of his Mopey McMoperson attitude as he matures- and I think he will do well. As for calling Gasquet another Malisse- I meant more about the fact that their head got in the way of their talent- not so much the style of play. I would like to see that happen - gosh I just want to see him win one grand slam. And as much as I like both Federer and Nadal- I would like to see some other winners. I would, however, love to see Federer win the French and Rafa win Wimbledon- but I don't think that will happen. I could see Roger winning the French, but I think Rafa's chance was in 2007 for Wimbledon. I agree that Serena looks good- but not quite 2002-3 and may not be able to get that shape again. Not because of a lack of effort- but sometimes as you move on into your 20s and even later- it can be harder to reach a peak if you have fallen.
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Post by printwhoreatwork on Jan 4, 2008 4:14:01 GMT
Well there are headcases and then there's Xavier. Malisse is the type to get defaulted or awarded points for his hissy fits, whereas Pioline was just plain weird. I think Gasquet is definitely the latter, he keeps it all in that pretty little head of his.
As for Murray, I don't find his game as aesthetically pleasing or creative as, say, Nalbandian. I've tried to get into his game but usually I just fall asleep or change the channel. I'd definitely like to see how he does this year, considering that the beeb was trumpeting this kid to the high heavens as early as the Wimbledon 2005 final.
Oh, as for Wawrinka, it's interesting to note that he can't stand Murray at all. They trained together in Spain and Wawrinka hates his guts, which partly explained the 2005 D-Cup beatdown in Geneva.
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Post by packrat87 on Jan 4, 2008 5:06:17 GMT
Congratulation to Na Li for reaching the final of the Gold Coast tournament...man that was a tense third set against Patty Schnyder even though it was through an online scoreboard.
And Lindsay Davenport makes it to the final of Auckland. Yay!
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Post by seltzer4 on Jan 4, 2008 6:03:37 GMT
Go Na Li. Hope she wins her first tier III cup.
Not bad, coming from an injury.
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Post by mooncreek on Jan 4, 2008 20:07:19 GMT
I also think Fed will win two slams this year. I really wouldn't mind a first time slam winner for both the ladies and the gents. Murray is headed straight for the top 5 and I think we will see him reach at least the semis of both Wimby and USO and have several strong performances in masters series events. Actually I am even more confident that Naldandian will be top 5: he has NOTHING to defend until Madrid (!) in October. End of year top 5 will be Fed, Nadal, Djoko, Nably and Murray, maybe not necessarily in that order. Nalby is my dream winner of the AO *sigh* This is my fantasy world, including Top 5. I would settle for anyone not named Roger to take the AO - I have the feeling that would be the best shot for a different name to take it. I would prefer if it's anyone in the Top 5 list. Murray is my favorite player but I have this feeling he'd be like Djoko or Davydenko in playing way too much and burn out if he stayed relatively healthy for the whole season.
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Post by whyistherumgone on Jan 4, 2008 20:12:24 GMT
Anyone else think Djokovic and Jankovic are going to regret their participation in Hopman Cup? And not just because they lost in the final to the US. But Jelena has her injury now, and Nole's shoulder is apparently really sore (it was apparent with some downright weak serves). Nole barely beat Mardy Fish. He looked knackered after the mixed doubles loss.
With Jelena, it was bound to happen eventually. With the amount of matches she played last year. With Novak...he looks like he could have used another month or so of off-season. Doesn't look that much better than he did in Shanghai, where he got his ass handed to him 3 straight matches.
Things aren't looking too bright for them in regards to the Aussie Open. Serbia might be pinning their hopes and dreams on Ana Ivanovic.
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Post by falafaclese on Jan 4, 2008 21:46:40 GMT
I haven't seen the final yet, but Jankovic has not looked good over the last two ties. If she has any sense at all she'll take it easy over the next week. This is compounded by the fact that Ana has not been playing particularly well, and lost to Dementieva and Peng Shuai in Hong Kong this week.
It has been an interesting opening week for the women though, along with Li Na (who I love for no particular reason) and Serena's win at Hopman, Lindsay is into the 3rd final of her comeback against Rezai in Auckland, and it will be a Venus/Maria final in Hong Kong. I wish they were televising all of it.
ETA: Lindsay wins 6-2, 6-2 in Aukland. That's 3 titles in 4 tournaments for her now!
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Post by packrat87 on Jan 5, 2008 4:03:59 GMT
Na Li just won 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 against Victoria Azarenka. Game on! I really hope that she cracks the top 10 this year
Lindsay Davenport won 6-2, 6-2 against Aravane Rezai. Same here for Lindsay to come back in the top 10 but she seems to favor playing lower tier tournaments at the momenté
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mell
1st Round
Posts: 64
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Post by mell on Jan 5, 2008 4:19:36 GMT
Hingis banned for two years. It's moot, but good for the ITF anyway. This is what Martina was trying to head off by retiring, but she can't and shouldn't escape the consequences of testing positive. So even though she won't be playing anyway, the suspension is on the record.
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Post by skyz on Jan 5, 2008 8:22:56 GMT
Venus won against Maria 6-3, 6-4. From what people viewing said she was staying back but serving pretty good. I just hope her hip/hamstring whatever it is that's bothering her doesn't last too long going into the ASO.
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Post by chestylarue on Jan 5, 2008 17:53:21 GMT
That semifinal at Chennai between Moya and Nadal was fantastic. Nadal won 6-7, 7-6, 7-6 and saved four match points. Moya had some amazing forehands- and Rafa had his fight which has alluded him at times the past two years. The match was almost four hours- the longest in the tournaments history- and tied as the longest three setter ever for the ATP. A fun way to start the new year - a great match. I think Misha will win tomorrow because he gives Nadal troubles on hard courts and Rafa must be knackered- but I like both so that is gravy.
ETA- Murray won his first tournament of the year with a three set win over Wawrinka in Doha. Nice start of the year for both Andy and Stan.
ETAA- And congrats to Lindsay for winning Auckland. I would be thrilled if she had a great AO. She seems to have lost the mopiness that plagued her before she had her child.
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