Daily Tennis Blog

In Case You Haven't Noticed

2010-02-18T13:56:00.000-08:00

I am not posting very much. If you live on the moon, Federer won the AO. This week there is a 500 tourney, led by Andy Roddick and Fernando Verdasco (Who is already out) Does anyone actually read this? If so, let me know

My huge list of predictions.

2009-12-10T04:18:00.000-08:00

I'm doing the Top 32. That's right. 32. And let me say first Bhagdatis and Gulbis may get there.
Players on their way up in 2010 in green. Down in red. Nothing gray.

1. Roger Federer- Roger will give us one more good year, but it won't be fantastic. He'll hang around the Top 10, I think, but not at #1. Djokovic and del Potro seem to know how to beat him. I think he's more afraid the Djoker is his replacement than delPo, but either is bad. And then there's Davydenko, who seems to suddenly be playing his best in YEARS if not career. I think #1 is a real toss-up.

2. Rafael Nadal- He looks soooo beatable. He won to 3 clutchers in Paris (Almagro, Robredo, Tsonga) and couldn't get a set in London against Davydenko, Djokovic, or Soderling. He could well be done for. Berdych is not a consistently good player so don't say the Davis Cup makes him back, though he's not dead yet on clay at least. His tactics are awful all of the sudden (Nadal is trying to change something.I'm not going to discount the steroid conspiracy, which I think makes a good point.)

3. Novak Djokovic- 1 match does not make his Year-end bad. He beat the eventual champ, Nikolay Davydenko, 4-6 6-4 7-5 , holding off a last minute fightback by the Russian. The loss to Soderling WAS bad though and beating Rafa 7-6 6-3 was a pathetic match. He also lost an exhibition set to Viktor Trocki 6-7 (6) but I still think he is the next number one and it will be between him and delPo after the next battle (I think Djoker and Federer) ends in the younger man's favor.

4. Andy Murray- Murray has thrown away so many chances for a real shot at number one. del Potro, Djokovic, and Davydenko all look better, while he does have a good shot at passing Rafael Nadal next year. Still, I say he falls but not off the radar.

5. Juan Martin del Potro- Looks great. Lost to Murray in less-then-great fashion but then went on a tear to the final, surviving 3 sets by Fed and a 3rd set tiebreak from Verdasco to get to the semi. He then beat Soderling in a 3rd set tiebreak to make the final only to be destroyed by Nikolay Davydenko in the final.

6. Nikolay Davydenko- The man of the year (well, the end of the year) is playing like he still deserves the #3 spot he occupied so long ago. He was certainly not expected to recover from serving at 4-5 0-30 in the 3rd set. He especially wasn't expected to break serve on the next Federer serve. He then wasn't expected to overcome a break point to win the next game and get to 1-12 vs . the world #1 Federer . I posted the draw for the first tourney of the year in my previous post, and it features him, Federer, Nadal , Soderling, Tsonga, and Wawrinka (that's all) and he could try to prove himself early there next year to contend for number 1 for the first time against what seems a weaker field than he's had since Roddick was beating Hewitt for #1 (Worst #1 since 1990? Or was that Rafter or Ferrero?)

7. Andy Roddick- Andy 2 has Djokovic's number, which would be great if only he could survive the draw to GET to Djokovic. Which seems more and more uncommon. I think A-Rod is on his way out . He is still capable of going deep frequently often enough to stay in the Top 20 at least.

8. Robin Soderling- Slipped into the top 8 in a tournament he slipped into thanks to Roddick. He could well slip a bit higher in the rankings next year. Roddick looks within range as a target. Soderling can beat anyone... except Federer. This is the one thing that's REALLY hurting him. He can't be happy about that 3rd set tiebreak loss to delPo since he was up a break in the 3rd. That was one of the least exciting matches I've ever seen despite its closeness.

9. Fernando Verdasco- Verdasco is one of the more mentally weak players (A bit odd thing to say given the man behind him) He can play like a #1 or #71. He will never be a Top 5 player unless he changes something.

10. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga- for god's sake, do something! How he is ahead of Gonzalez and Stepanek I will never know, but I do know it isn't going to last unless something about his mental state changes.

11. Fernando Gonzalez- I recently said to my mother James Blake is playing like Gonzalez gone horribly wrong. Things would be a lot better for Fernando Gonzalez if he didn't spend so much time playing like Fernando Gonzalez gone horribly wrong. Having said that, despite inconsistency, who would say that Tsonga or even Verdasco is better than Gonzalez? Several people thought Gonzo was on his way out after a weak 2008, and he proved them wrong by moving back up to the verge of the Top 10. Fun fact: He has the highest number of break points saved of the Top 32.

12. Radek Stepanek- With the exception of the 6-1 6-2 4-6 4-6 6-8 loss to Ferrer, he's looked great as of late. He, like Gonzalez, has looked much better than Tsonga, and he could also break back into the Top 10

13. Gael Monfils- he did draw Djokovic into a tough fight in a 2-6 7-5 6-7 (3) loss but he hasn't lived up to the hype still. For he, Tsonga, and Simon, who all have that problem can always say, "Well, I'm doing better than (countrymen) Chardy (32 on list), Mathieu and Gasquet (who was REALLY overrated)

14. Marin Cilic- Cilic will rise in 2010, I am quite certain. He demolished Nadal 6-1 6-4 before falling to Djokovic in the final. By comparison, Djokovic beat Nadal 7-6 (5) 6-3 in Paris.

15. Gilles Simon- Not a good year for the man who once looked like the next Nadal and now looking at how Nadal is doing, that may be true in a way Simon doesn't like.

16. Tommy Robredo- The former Top 10 player has the clutching problem shared by countrymen Verdasco, Almagro, and Ferrero though certainly not Nadal or Ferrer.

17. David Ferrer- One of, if not the, best comebacks of all time. 1-6 2-6 6-4 6-4 8-6. Unbelievable in a very forgettable year for Ferrer, the only player I know of who ever switches headgear other than Blake. That wasn't off-topic was it?

18. Tommy Haas- If this man took ADHD pills and avoided injuries, he'd be #1. That said, I'm a huge fan of the nicest guy on tour. He needs to stop getting sick or hurt fast though. Not mentally strong either, except for the epic Cilic match. He does have the ability to beat Djokovic, for some reason

19. Mikhal Youzhny- I'm not a huge Youzhny fan, but you can't deny a fantastic end of year (beating both Hewitt and Davydenko in close 3-setters) However, I heard that the emotional Russian is going to focus on doubles.

20. Tomas Berdych- If I picked two words for Berdych they'd be "bombed out" but the 3rd would be "talented" This generation's top underperformer (Gulbis has a shot at this title soon)

21. Stansilas Wawrinka- Stan is also an underperformer who can beat the Top 10, just doesn't. He is, for some reason, playing that huge 6-player exo. mentioned on Davydenko's summary. He's #6, and he's ranked 11 spots below #5. That's incredible. If he goes deep there, maybe he'll get some confidence.

22. Lleyton Hewitt- Lleyton will almost certainly move up the rankings in January, where he was recovering from a hip injury and lost in 1st round to the man who got him , Fernando Gonzalez (#11 on this list) and is near certain to try hard in his home country

23. Juan Carlos Ferrero- Two #1s in a row in the 20s! Ferrero, like Hewitt, had a comeback year in 2009 , but unlike Hewitt doesn't have the excuse of the near-constant, devestating injuries. Oh wait, he does. Well, not to the same degree at least...

24. Ivan Ljubicic- IL moved up, what, 30 spots since the USO? An incredible time at the end of the year, but not an incredible year as a whole. I think we can expect a better 2010?

25. Sam Querrey- A really, really idiotic way to end the season, but still, the newly crowned number two American (Roddick-7) had a great year and has a great future.

26.Nicolas Almagro- The least good player in crucial times except Olivier Rochus. Maybe Haas. But I doubt it.

27. Phillip Kohlschreiber- One of the biggest upsets of the year came from this man . Djokovic, 3rd round, FO. Not a great last few months though.

28. Jurgen Melzer- Quite a good player, but I can't say I can see Melzer breaking into the Top 10 ...ever...

29. Viktor Troicki - I mentioned he beat Djokovic ... in an exhibition... in Serbia...in a single set match... if only he could do well when it counts...

30. Juan Monaco- Seems a very, very good player with very,very bad luck. Still, I say he's on his way up the rankings.

31. Alberto Montanes- A very good last few months give him momentum in 2010.

32. Jeremy Chardy- Chardy remains a bit of an underachiever (a French characteristic it seems) and I think he's on the way out.

The rest:

Mathieu (33) - He could well move up and probably will I think
Isner (34)- I hate his style, but I can't deny he's improved
Gasquet (52)- Time is running out for the prodigy. Speaking of which, where the hell is Young?
Karlovic (37)- Awful year for the king of aces.
Tipseraervic (sp?-38)- Good end of the year for the leader of inconsistency
Bhagdatis, Chiudenelli,Fish, and Nalbandian are both looking to return. Bhagdatis and Nalbandian could both be Top 32 next year easily.
Rochus trying to move up after a tough year.
Gulbis, his image destroyed, trying to recover from probably the most disappointment of any player that didn't miss at least 2 months (Nadal, Bhagdatis, Nalbandian, Hewitt)

Djokovic, Davydenko dominate end of year

2009-12-10T03:25:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the less-than-dailyness lately. Personal reasons, but I'm back now. Look at it this way. The two people seen to be up-and-coming both beat Federer last meeting. Scary stat (for Fed) his post- USO match record vs. Top 10:
N. Djokovic (BASEL) L 4-6 6-4 2-6
F. Verdasco (LONDON) W 4-6 7-5 6-1
A. Murray (LONDON) W 4-6 6-3 6-1
J.M. del Potro (LONDON) L 2-6 7-6(5) 4-6
N. Davydenko (LONDON) L 2-6 6-4 5-7
What's interesting about this? He is 2-3 in matches. Also 2-3 in 3rd set. But 5-0 in the 2nd set. 5-0!!! Which means 0-5 in the 1st set. Nadal? 1-5 in the 1st set1-5 in the 2nd too (Good job, Tsonga. You're loser of the month. That match had the Ultra-mentally-weak score of 7-5 7-5)
Davydenko beat Federer. goodbye, 0-12 #1. If Soderling, 0-12 #2 beats Fed, I will declare Federer over. He'll get his chance in in incredibly great looking exo. on Dec. 31 to like Jan. 2. 5/6 top 10. And why does Soda, #8, get Wawrinka while Davydenko, #6, get Tsonga. If Davy DOES beat Tsonga, we get a preview of Rafa for the year. If Tsonga beats Rafa, it's all over. Remember, an early exit for Nadal at AO+ good run by the Djoker= Djokovic #2. Del Potro is also on the verge of passing Murray, who's looked awful lately with the exception beating delPo in RR at London. I think Federer, Davydenko, Nadal, and Tsonga have synced their schedules. The next WEEK they play together again in the same tourney. Djokovic only plays 1 exo before AO. I've got the draw here for the exo:

Federer (1) Federer vs. Sode/Wawr
Bye

Soderling (4)
Wawrinka (6)

Davydenko (3)
Tsonga (5)

Bye
Nadal (2) Nadal vs. Davy/Tson

Davydenko upsets Nadal in final to win first 1000 event this year

2009-10-18T03:54:00.000-07:00

As you can tell by the clay court, this is not a real picture from the match. I have one, but couldn't upload it

Nikolay Davydenko def. Rafael Nadal 7-6 (3) 6-3 Davydenko took a 4-2 lead but was unable to hold it as Nadal had a set point with Davydenko serving at 4-5 and a deuce game at 5-6 but Davydenko recovered to enter a tiebreak, which, once again, he dominated. The second set he started out very well, and Nadal could never quite break back. Davydenko helps his Final hopes here and Nadal really hurts his standings as it now seems apparent any Top 10 player can beat him (They can't use the height excuse against the 5-10 Davydenko) and here are the standings:

Year to date

1. Roger Federer (Duh)

2. Rafael Nadal

3. Novak Djokovic

4. Andy Murray

5. Juan Martin del Potro

6. Andy Roddick

7. Nikolay Davydenko

8. Fernando Verdasco

9. Robin Soderling

10. Fernando Gonzalez

Entry Ranking (Will change tomorrow, starting at #3)

1. Roger Federer

2. Rafael Nadal

3. Andy Murray

4. Novak Djokovic

5. Juan Martin del Potro

6. Andy Roddick

7. Jo- Wilfred Tsonga (Where is he???)

8. Nikolay Davydenko

9. Fernando Verdasco

10. Gilles Simon (The unlucky one)

My Power Rankings based on who can beat who right now:

1. Roger Federer

2. Novak Djokovic

3. Juan Martin del Potro (Needs something)

4. Andy Murray

5. Nikolay Davydenko

6. Robin Soderling

7. Fernando Verdasco

8. Andy Roddick (Nice losing streak, A-Rod)

9. Marin Cilic (Berdych can beat anyone playing well)

10. Rafael Nadal (Barely survived though didn't have to face a Top 10 player until the final, and when he did it was #8 and he lost in straight sets)

Nadal and Davydenko

2009-10-17T16:35:00.001-07:00

Another retirement in Rafa's favor (6-1 3-0 ret.) while Davydenko won an epic match vs. Djokovic (4-6 6-4 7-6 (1))

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Davydenko upsets Djokovic

2009-10-17T04:53:00.000-07:00

I predicted this. Oh yeah! Davydenko won in a 3rd set tiebreak (4-6 6-4 7-6(1)) Will likely face Nadal in the final, who he has a 2-4 record against, but is playing the best of his life and Rafa is injured so who knows? In case of an upset, he actually has a worse record vs. Lopez (1-4) though the Russian won their last meeting. Davydenko's biggest career win (the Miami '08 tournament) was over Rafael Nadal so the shortest Top 10 player (who has moved from #9 in YTD points to #7, putting him in a better position for the ATP Final; and I don't really get rankings but I think he might pass Tsonga for #7 in Rankings, or maybe even #6 over Roddick if he wins) has a real chance here.

Lopez upsets Soderling, otherwise as planned

2009-10-16T08:13:00.000-07:00

(1) Nadal def. Lubicic 3-6 6-3 0-0 ret. This was close prior to Lubicic's retirement and isn't a good sign for Nadal. However, in a stroke of luck, he will play Feliciano Lopez rather than Robin Soderling (see below)

Lopez def. (9) Soderling 7-6(4) 6-3 Lopez is having such a great tournament, but how many people are giving him higher odds against Nadal? Still, Soderling was a huge win, though it was done by running him to death, which won't be an issue for Rafa.

OTHER HALF:
(2) Djokovic def. (8) Simon 6-3 3-6 6-2 How strange is it that the only non-3 set match was the upset? Weird scoreline but a win's a win.

(6) Davydenko def. (13) Stepanek 6-1 3-6 6-1 An even stranger scoreline and I can really see this being tighter than the other semi by quite a bit. This one is the nailbiter. The winner has a good chance of winning the whole thing.

TONIGHT:
(1) Nadal-ESP vs Lopez-ESP
(2) Djokovic-SRB vs (6) Davydenko- RUS

The Quarterfinals: Half 2

2009-10-15T14:05:00.000-07:00

Djokovic def. Schuttler 6-4 6-2 First set a bit weak, but Djokovic was up a break at all times in the match. In control of the match, and probably the tournament though he has a more difficult next match (Simon) than Nadal (Ljubicic)

Simon def. Berdych 6-3 6-4 This is a big win for Simon, who is 1-3 vs. Djokovic. He has played well as of late.

Lopez def. Melzer 4-6 7-6 (3) 6-1 What a turnaround for Lopez, who had 3 straight 1st round losses. A quarter, but Soderling should end it next.

Soderling def. Tsonga 6-3 6-3 Soderling was everyone who knows' pic to win this and did- easily. If he beats Lopez as he should, it's a grudge match against Nadal (assuming Nadal def. Ljubicic)

The Quarterfinals: Half 1

2009-10-15T13:48:00.001-07:00

Rafael Nadal def. Tommy Robredo 6-1 6-4 A return to form for Nadal as he easily defeats his teammate. Nadal has Ljubicic next, which could be very easy for Rafa, who by winning vs. Robredo secures the #2 ranking (holds off Djokovic)

Ivan Ljubicic def Gael Monfils 6-2 3-0 ret. Ljubicic has been a giant-killer, taking out Verdasco then Monfils (Who took out Hewitt as the Aussie struggled with injuries) to set up a Nadal match-up.

Lopez def. Melzer 4-6 7-6 (3) 6-1 What a turnaround for Lopez, who was on a string of first-round losses to make the quarters here. Lopez faces near-certain doom in Soderling but still....

Soderling def. Tsonga 6-3 6-3 Who really predicted the higher seed would win here. After Lopez, it's Nadal, which will be interesting to say the least.

Results

2009-10-14T14:23:00.000-07:00

[1] R Nadal (ESP) d J Blake (USA) 62 67(4) 64

Djoker is definetely better than Nadal at the moment and will gain #2 if Rafa loses to Robredo and Novak can win. Another heartbreaker for Blake.

[2] N Djokovic (SRB) d [Q] F Fognini (ITA) 63 61

Brilliantly done.

J Melzer (AUT) d [3] J Del Potro (ARG) 75 21 ret. (right wrist)

Wow delPo. 2 in a row. Djokovic post-slam syndrome?

[5] J Tsonga (FRA) d [WC] S Zeng (CHN) 63 63
I Ljubicic (CRO) d [7] F Verdasco (ESP) 64 76(6)

This kills Dasco's chance at the finals.

[8] G Simon (FRA) d V Troicki (SRB) 63 64
[9] R Soderling (SWE) d N Almagro (ESP) 64 75

Plays Tsonga next

[11] G Monfils (FRA) d L Hewitt (AUS) 46 64 62

Hewitt is injured and it seems likely will not play in Paris.

[14] T Robredo (ESP) d [Q] F Mayer (GER) 46 76(10) 64 - Saved 3 M.P.
[Q] R Schuettler (GER) d [15] T Haas (GER) 64 ret. (right shoulder)
F Lopez (ESP) d [16] D Ferrer (ESP) 46 75 61

Now this is the way to break a losing streak.
T Berdych (CZE) d [WC] M Safin (RUS) 36 64 64

Nicely done for the man who upset Cilic.

EARLIER THIS WEEK:

Berdych def. Cilic

Wawrinka def. Roddick

Gonzalez def. Zverev by Zverev's retirement at 2-2 in final set.

Hewitt, Nadal Out

2009-10-10T11:48:00.001-07:00

Hewitt in a tight 3-setter and Nadal with no fight at all. Tsonga beat Monfils

China finalists:
Djokovic (def. Soderling) vs. Cilic (def. Nadal)

Tokyo:
Youzhny (def. Hewitt) vs. Tsonga (def. Monfils)

In ranking news, Djokovic will pass Murray not this Monday but the next after Murrays failure to compete in Shanghai

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Results: Safin, Gulbis, Roger-Vasselin Upset

2009-10-08T07:13:00.001-07:00

As Roger Federer's time off continues, the world plays without him. It looked like my pick to win, Lleyton Hewitt, was going to get out in the Japan Open but he fought back (shocker) to win 3-6 6-3 6-1 over Fabrice Santoro. Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal lived through Blake 7-5 6-7 6-3 and will next meet Safin, who upset a personal favorite, Gonzalez. First round upsets Gulbis and Roger-Vasselin moved on. Djokovic plays Verdasco tonight, a must-follow. Söderling and Robredo have not yet started play. Visit atdhe.com for live video.

The survivors

2009-10-07T08:13:00.001-07:00

Japan Open

Edouard Roger- Vasselin (def J. del Potro)
Jurgen Melzer
Fabrice Santoro
Lleyton Hewitt (My pick to win)
Gilles Simon
Mikal Youzney
Andreas Beck
Tomas Berdych
Stan Wawrinka QF
Gael Monfils (My pick for R-U) QF
Ernests Gulbis (def R. Stepanek)
Jo-Wilfred Tsonga

China Open

Rafael Nadal
James Blake
Marat Safin
Fernando Gonzalez
Nikolay Davydenko (My pick for R-U)
Marin Cilic
Robin Soderling
Tommy Robredo
Ivan Lubicic
Lukasz Kubot (def. A. Roddick)
Fernando Verdasco
Novak Djokovic (My pick to win)

Verdasco, Tsonga, Djokovic, Wawrinka win

2009-10-07T08:13:00.000-07:00

Good by Tsonga, Verdasco (Tsonga wasn't challanged; Ferrero is tough to beat)
Monfils also won
Return to form by Wawrinka?
Djokovic had a bit of trouble in the 1st set against Troicki before his countryman's collapse in the 2nd. Still doesn't look great.
The media-hated (they think he's lazy) Ernests Gulbis' defeat of Stepanek today's only upset

Gulbis Wins vs Stepanek, Davydenko looking good

2009-10-06T18:32:00.001-07:00

At the Japan Open:

Gasquet def Petzschner 6-3 6-2 Gasquet doing a good job of rebounding. Easier win than I expected.

Youzhny def Belluchi, Beck def Schuettler (Barely), Monaco def Garcia-Lopez (ret)
These were all kinda routine though Youzhny could maybe contend vs. Simon, but I have Simon winning with a ? on my bracket.

Gulbis def Stepankek 6-4 6-4 The long awaited revival of the young Latvian may have finally happened as he took out Stepanek. Tsonga is next and they had a nailbiting 6-7 7-6 7-6 Tsonga victory last meeting, so Gulbis could be in contention. Doubt he could handle Monfils next round, but might could if it's Wawrinka instead.

My semifinalists (Hewitt, Berdych, Monfils, and Tsonga) all still alive though Tsonga playing now

Meanwhile in China...

Cilic def. Bennetau 6-2 2-6 6-0 Not entirely sure what happened in 3rd set... Bennetau needs to work on his consistency a little, doesn't he?

Davydenko def Kohlschrieber 6-1 6-0 Davydenko....oh my god.... I thought this would be close! Cilic is a tough match-up for him though, and Davy's lost two in a row to the Croat. He just needs to keep up this kind of form though! Cilic has definitely not played as well as Davydenko lately.

These are the only finished matches at this time. Looking foward to Verdasco vs Ferrero. Verdasco my 3rd fave Top 10 player, but Ferrero is one of my overall favorites and I think he could be capable of a challenge here.

Predictions and Happenings

2009-10-06T18:32:00.000-07:00

Juan Martin del Potro shock loss has opened up the draw in the Japan open. I redid my bracket, and actually came up with 8th seed Lleyton Hewitt winning. Hewitt beat his wild card opponent (Japan's Ito) in straight sets 6-1 7-5. His draw is actually pretty amazing with delPo gone (Not that he couldn't have challenged del Potro. They've met 2 times this year. One Hewitt won in straights, the other he lost in a 3rd set tiebreak) His next match, vs. Fabrice Santoro, is probably his most dangerous (They are 2-2 against each other, though they haven't played in a while and Santoro has gotten older than Hewitt, who has aged fairly well, though not to Federer or Gonzalez amounts, better than Safin and Roddick, who peaked very early and as well as Haas [Who withdrew] and Ferrero) until the semis, when he could face either Berdych, the defending champ, or Gilles Simon, a top 10 player who broke a losing streak last week. Wow, that was incoherent and blatently pro-Hewitt. In the other half, Monfils and Tsonga are favorites, though Stepanek could contend also.

My semis: Hewitt def Berdych Monfils def Tsonga
My final: Hewitt def Monfils

Roddick out, Djokovic could have trouble

Andy Roddick continues his display of inconsistency and excuses with a first round loss of almost as big a loss as delPo's and bigger than Hewitt's last week. He isn't keeping up with the game and Wimbledon still haunts him (Though Hewitt should've won that quarter) I think he's probably done as a Top 5 player forever, barring injury from delPo, Djokovic. Speaking of Djokovic (Who, along with Davydenko, is my fave Top 10 player) has a tough match next against his countryman Viktor Troicki, who is on a good run at the moment. They are 1-1 head to head and Djokovic isn't playing that well. On the other hand, with Roddick gone, Djokovic is now a favorite to win the tournament (Though Verdasco could be challenging). Rafael Nadal is also playing rather poorly, winning the same number of points as his first round opponent, a former top 10 player, in a 6-4 3-6 6-4 win. Nadal's next opponent is Blake, who has a winning record against Rafa, but has had an awful year.
I have Gonzalez beating Nadal..... But Davydenko frustrates him and Gonzo has frustration issues. Not sure if I'd bet on Gonzalez (I'd say 50-50 with out-of-form Nadal, had 2 tiebreaks in a row at USO, just needs to actually win them), Nadal (If he survives Blake, he will have to fight vs. Gonzo, who I think would win, but then again, I'm not a big Nadal fan and Gonzalez my favorite player), or Davydenko, who is 5-0 against Gonzalez and 2-4 vs. Nadal, which could improve with Rafa's injurt, but has to get through Cilic first.

My semis:
Davydenko def. Gonzalez
Djokovic def. Soderling

My final:
Djokovic def. Davydenko

Day 1 of China and Japan Open

2009-10-05T14:03:00.000-07:00

Djokovic makes poor start Djokovic beat Hanescu fairly easily but not enough. 6-3 7-5 looks good enough, but Djoker got broken twice. Another racket-over-net match though. That can't be good.

Monfils on a bit of a roll He has won that one tournament, but got out pretty early at the last open. However, a strong 6-2 6-4 start today.

Rafa is back Rafael Nadal is coming back this week, but he has not done well against Djokovic lately. However, Djoker has to get past Roddick first. Roddick hasn't done well in recent weeks, but has now beat Djokovic 3 times in a row.

Kohlschriber beats Karlovic, Wawrinka beats Isner Opposites here, as Kohschriber is on a brilliant run and overcame Ivo's big serve to win in 3. Wawrinka, on the other hand, was too much for Isner's momentum. Work on consistency, and he could be Top 10 Material

Other Stuff Ferrero is great at tight matches. 7-5 7-6 vs. Almagro, and he's off to a good start.Cilic beat Andreev. And women's tennis has no stregnth. At all.

Week In Review

2009-10-04T06:05:00.001-07:00

This Week's Winners:

1. Nikolay Davydenko (8)- Davydenko looking to solidify his spot at the ATP Finals, where he was runner-up last year, and doing a good job of it. He won the Malaysian Open, defeating Fernando Verdasco 6-4 7-5 in the finals after a 1-6 7-6 6-2 thriller against Robin Soderling in the semi. This could move him up to #7, where it is unlikely he would rise from (Roddick ahead) but he'd love for Tsonga to be in more danger than him.

2. Fernando Verdasco(9)- Verdasco didn't do as well as Davydenko or Simon, and only equalled Troicki, but Tsonga's loss is his gain as he inches closer to #8 and a spot in the finals. However, his biggest win this week wasn't huge, a victory over #12 hard-hitting Fernando Gonzalez

3. Gilles Simon (10)- The #8 slot looks less impossible now, outdoing Verdasco this week (Thanks to Troicki beating Tsonga in semi) but still a ways to go. He must pass 2 of 3 of Davydenko, Tsonga, and Verdasco.

4. Viktor Troicki (32)- Not exactly a high ranking player, good job for #2 Serbian (Djokovic-4) making the final, beating on & off World #7 Tsonga

LOSERS OF THE WEEK

1. Andy Murray (3)- Did not want to sit out this week with men ahead of him (Nadal-2) and Behind him (Djokovic-4) both playing. Federer can afford this. Murray can't

2. Jo-Wilfred Tsonga (7) - If Davydenko passes him, with Verdasco, Soderling, and Simon all on good runs, he's in real trouble now

3. Roger Federer (1)- No one knows quite what it is that's keeping the US Open finalist and Wimbledon winner from playing, but Nadal, Murray, Djokovic, Murray, and del Potro all want to inch coser to #1 and this is their chance to get to the edge of doing so.

4. Robin Soderling (11)- Soderling really screwed up what looked like a sure deal in making the final where he coud've probably beaten Dasco in a collapse vs. Davydenko

ALSO LOOKING GOOD:
4. Djokovic
5. del Potro
13. Monfils

ALSO LOOKING BAD:

2. Nadal
6. Roddick
31. Hewitt

Simon vs. Troicki

2009-10-03T22:16:00.000-07:00

In our 2nd final tonight:

Gilles Simon def Jurgen Melzer 6-4 7-6 This was a rather routine match with Simon looking good heading into the final, despite having more trouble serving then Melzer much of the match. Favorite to finally get a title here.

Viktor Troicki def Jo-Wilfred Tsonga 1-6 6-2 6-3 This was a huge upset and Troicki hopes to upset another inconsistent Frenchman tonight.

Ranked:

Simon-10 Troicki-32

Watch online at atdhe.net

Also:

Tsonga could be in trouble now

He got out in the semis and that opens a door for Davydenko, Verdasco, Simon, Soderling, and Gonzalez, the first 3 of which outdid him this week to make the Tour Finals if they can get Tsonga's 7th place

Currently:

1. R. Federer (Q)

2. R. Nadal (Q)

3. A. Murray (Q)

4. N. Djokovic (Q)

5. J. del Potro (Q)

6. A. Roddick (All but certain)

7. J. Tsonga (In danger)

8. N.Davydenko (In danger also)

At the door:

9. F. Verdasco (Oh so close)

10. G. Simon (If he gets title, Dasco doesn't it's an opening)

11. R. Soderling (Great year, could do it)

12. F. Gonzalez (Very Unlikely)

13. G. Monfils (looking out of it despite title last week)

Defending: W Djokovic RU Davydenko

Davydenko vs. Verdasco

2009-10-03T22:09:00.000-07:00

Nikolay Davydenko (1) def Robin Soderling(3) 1-6 7-6 6-2 This was an amazing comeback by Davydenko. Soderling had it in his grasp serving at 6-1 4-3 and let it go, when, as one online commenter noted "Davy playing like god" A few amazing shots, and the Russian is in the final.

Fernando Verdasco (2) def Fernando Gonzalez (4) 6-4 7-5 Gonzalez does an amazing job at clutching at crucial moments (Serving at DF at 4-5 30-40 in 5th against Ferrero at Wimbledon)

and proved that again here. Verdasco had a much easier half than Davydenko as the top 2 seeds meet.

Head to head: Davydenko leads 5-1

Ranked:

Davydenko-8 Verdasco-9

Watch online at atdhe.net