So we're about 30 minutes away from the first point of the 2008 Australian Open, so I've got just enough time to get my pre-tourney analysis and predictions into the world. I love this part, just before a tournament sitting down with the draw sheet and digging out the potential matchups that'll leave you drooling with anticipation.
The best of the first two rounds is a potential second round match between Roger Federer and Fabrice Santoro. Not that Santoro has a chance, but this would be a shotmaker's paradise; Santoro is the most creative and fit players on tour and can absolutely bedevil and opponent while charming viewers with his slice 2 hand forehand and neverending repertoire of trick shots. Federer is, well, Federer. Watching him play is to watch high art. This would be one not to be missed
Mark's Matches: 1st round look for John Isner (easy to spot, he's 6-10) vs Santoro, Tsonga-Murray, and Thomas Johannsen-Marcos Baghdatis
Upset special: look for Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to knock off 9th seed Andy Murray. Tsonga has a monster game and a few months to get healthy. Murray is an injury-prone headcase without a coach. The French heavyweight moves on.
Dark Horses: look for Tsonga to make it through to the 4th round. Australian redhead Chris Guccione blazes all the way into the quarters
My Prediction:
Quarters: Novak Djokovic tops David Nalbandian in a classic, Federer puts out the, um, fiery Guccione, Richard Gasquet over Michael Youzny, and Roddick over Paul-Henri Mathieu
Semis: Roddick overcomes his 07 US Open gack and crushes Gasquet, Federer gives Djokovic a beating that's going to stick in his head all year
Finals: Federer raises the trophy. And the bar for the whole 2008 season
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment