Sunday 17 April 2011

ATP Monte Carlo Finals

ATP Monte Carlo Finals


Nadal beat Ferrer 6-4, 7-5. The top seed needed 2 close sets to beat the fourth seed and win here for a record-breaking seventh consecutive time.

Click here for my original predictions.

Saturday 16 April 2011

ATP Monte Carlo Finals predictions

ATP Monte Carlo Finals predictions


Nadal vs Ferrer - The world number one is looking for his seventh consecutive title here and has so far dropped 1 set and 25 games in the tournament, 11 games against Murray in the last round. He is the king of clay and the crowd will be backing him. The fourth seed is in great form, yet to drop a set and only losing 17 games in the tournament. It is an all spanish final and both players will get support.
Conclusion - Nadal has an 8-1 winning record over Ferrer on clay and his only loss came early in his career in 2004, also he beat Ferrer last year 6-2, 6-3 in the semi-finals here. Like in the last round no one would bet against Nadal to lift this trophy for the seventh time in a row but Ferrer is in great form and may look to get something from this match. Therefore I believe Nadal will pull through in a close 2 set match.

ATP Monte Carlo Semi-Finals

ATP Monte Carlo Semi-Finals


Ferrer beat Melzer 6-3, 6-2. The fourth seed eases past the seventh seed in straight sets.

Nadal beat Murray 6-4, 2-6, 6-1. The world number 1 loses his first set in 2 years at this tournament but ends up on top against the third seed.

Click here for my original predictions.

Friday 15 April 2011

ATP Monte Carlo Semi-Finals predictions

ATP Monte Carlo Semi-Finals predictions


Let's start straight away we now have our 4 semi-finalists but who will get to the final?

Ferrer vs Melzer - The fourth seed is in great form, dropping just 12 games in 3 matches and yet to drop a set. In the last round he found great form against 11th seed Troicki. The seventh seed has dropped 1 set and 22 games in the same amount of matches. Today he had a great match against the out of form second seed, Federer and won 6-4, 6-4.
Conclusion - I think Ferrer will take a straight set win over Melzer in a close 2 set match, including a tie breaker. However, after Melzer's upset in the last round you never know.

Nadal vs Murray - The world number 1 is in great form on clay as usual. He has relinquished just 14 games and not a single set on his way to the Semi-Finals, looking for a seventh consecutive title here. The third seed, Murray, was in abysmal form before this tournament but has suddenly regained form and has also dropped only 14 games and no sets. He is looking for his first title on clay and gain on Federer, who is world number 3.
Conclusion - Nadal is definitely favourite and I don't think anyone would bet against him to win this match as Murray is not very good on clay and his 0-2 winning record against Nadal on clay won't give him any more confidence.

ATP Monte Carlo Open Quarter Finals

ATP Monte Carlo Open Quarter Finals

Ferrer beat Troicki 6-3, 6-3. The fourth seed eases past the 11th seed in straight sets, continuing his great form.

Melzer beat Federer 6-4, 6-4. The seventh seed shocks the second seed in straight sets, great play by the Austrian!

Nadal beat Ljubicic 6-1, 6-3. The world number eases past Ljubicic, dropping just 4 games.

Murray beat Gil 6-2, 6-1. The third seed dropped just 3 games on the way to a convincing victory over Gil.

click here for my original predictions.

Thursday 14 April 2011

ATP Monte Carlo Open

ATP Monte Carlo Open


We have already reached the Quarter Finals in Monte Carlo. Before the tournament started, Djokovic withdrew from the competition with a knee injury.

The Quarter Finals are:

Nadal vs Ljubicic - The world number one has come back to the clay courts in high form, beating 13th seed Gasquet in straight sets in the previous round, as well as Nieminen in the second round, as he seeks his seventh consecutive win here. Ljubicic is definitely the under dog, but has won all 3 matches in straight sets and has beaten notable names such as fifth seed, Berdych and 12th seed Tsonga.
Conclusion - Nadal shouldn't drop more than 6 games in an easy straight sets victory.

Murray vs Gil - The third seed has finally won his first match in 3 months, both in straight sets. He seems to be in good form but hasn't faced anyone to hard yet. Gil is also in good form, winning all three matches in straight sets. His biggest win was against eighth seed, Monfils, in the previous round.
Conclusion - Gil is again the under dog but considering clay isn't Murray's favourite surface and his recent troubles for form, Gil will see opportunity for an upset in 3 sets.

Ferrer vs Troicki - The fourth seed has dropped just 6 games in two matches on the way to the Quarter Finals, showing great form. However, both wins were against good unseeded players and in this round will face first seeded competition. The 11th seed has not been in the best form, already dropping 2 sets and yet to face a seed.
Conclusion - Ferrer's great form as well as being on his preferred surface means that I think he should get a straight sets win over the out of form Troicki, but you never know.

Federer vs Melzer - The second seed has been playing very well in his first two matches and is yet to drop a set. He has beaten Cilic, the 15th seed, and Kohlschreiber. Th 11th seed Melzer has lost a set in his first match, against Haase. He also beat a notable clay court player in ninth seed, Almagro, in straight sets.
Conclusion - Federer's early form and good record against Melzer makes me think it will be a straight sets victory or possibly a three sets match but I am confident that Federer will win.

Round up of the last week

I am sorry for once again leaving my blog for a long period of time but I was in such a shock due to Nadal's loss, I decided to leave tennis for a while.

Houston Open


Sweeting shocked everyone by beating sixth seed, Nishikori, in the final.

The top seed, Fish, who was in good form was beaten by Nishikori in the quarter-finals.

The second seed, Querrey, went out in the second round to the eventual winner, Sweeting.

Karlovic and Cuevas also had good tournaments, both making the semi-finals.

Casablanca Open


Andujar also shocked everyone by winning in Morocco, beating fifth seed, Starace, in the final.

The top seed, Montanes, was beaten in the Semi-Finals by Andujar.

The second seed, Baghdatis was beaten in the second round by Kuznetsov.

Eighth seed Hanescu was the fourth Semi-Finalist.

WTA Family Circle cup


Top seed Wozniacki takes the trophy, beating Vesnina in the final.

2nd seed, Stosur was beaten by Vesnina in the third round.

Mchale and Mirza both unseeded, reached the quarter finals.

Third seed, Jankovic, and 11th seed, Peng, were the other two semi-finalists.

WTA Andalucia Tennis experience


Top seed Azarenka beat Begu in the finals.

Second seed Juznetsova was beaten by Begu in the Semi-Finals.

Eighth seed, Errani was other Semi-Finalist.

Later I'll post all results from ATP Monte Carlo

Sunday 3 April 2011

ATP Sony Ericsson Open

ATP Sony Ericsson Open


Djokovic beat Nadal 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(4). The second seed comes back from a set down to win an epic encounter. He wins 5 points in a row at 1-2 down in the tie breaker to set up 4 match points. Nadal saves the first two before Djokovic finishes with a blistering cross court forehand to win the tournament.

Saturday 2 April 2011

WTA Sony Ericsson Open

WTA Sony Ericsson Open

Azarenka beat Sharapova 6-1, 6-4. The eighth seed eases past the 16th seed in straight sets to win the tournament.

ATP and WTA Sony Ericsson Open

ATP Sony Ericsson Open


Nadal beat Federer 6-3, 6-2. The top seed eases past the third seed in straight sets.

Djokovic beat Fish 6-3, 6-1. The second seed eases past the 14th seed, at the cost of just 4 games.

Friday 1 April 2011

FEDERER RETIRES!

Today Federer has shocked the tennis world by announcing his retirement at the end of the year. He was interviewed and said that he is happy with a great career but now would like to spend more time with his family.

Click here for more information.

ATP and WTA Sony Ericsson Open

ATP Sony Ericsson Open


Federer beat Simon 3-0 ret. The third seed goes through after the 25th seed retires.

Nadal beat Berdych 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. The top seed needs 3 sets to overcome the seventh seed and set up a Semi-Finals encounter with Federer.

WTA Sony Ericsson Open


Azarenka beat Zvonareva 6-0, 6-3. The eighth seed eases past the third seed at the cost of just 3 games.

Sharapova beat Petkovic 3-6, 6-0, 6-2. The 16th seed comes back from a set down to overcome the 21st seed.