Miami Preview for Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Wednesday will feature only a few singles matches that will all be played on Stadium Court:

The first singles match of the day is a womens quarterfinal match that will start around 1 p.m. local time.

(#2) Caroline Wozniacki  vs.  Justine Henin

Henin is still unranked, and has had a tough road of Dementieva, Cibulkova, and Zvonareva to get to this point thus far.  But is she starting to wear down from these tough matches?  I think its a great possibility that those matches helped get the rust off, but her next opponent Wozniacki will not give her anything easy.  There will be a low amount of unforced errors out of her, making Henin earn every point.  Either the serve, backhand or forehand will faulter for Henin, leading to a Wozniacki win.

Pick:  Wozniacki

RESULT:  Justine Henin 6-7, 6-3, 6-4.

Mens Quarterfinal match:

(#6) Andy Roddick  vs.  (#33) Nicolas Almagro

Almagro's game just isn't suited for giving Roddick a ton of trouble.  He may be able to hang in there using some grit and toughness, but eventually Roddick will wear down the Spaniard and advance to the semifinals.

Pick:  Roddick

RESULT:  Andy Roddick 6-3, 6-3.

The night session begins at 7 p.m. with a womens quarterfinal match.

(#9) Samantha Stosur  vs.  (#14) Kim Clijsters

Stosur is in Miami to play tennis.  Clijsters is in Miami to play tennis, be a mom, and go hang out with Serena Williams at an Alicia Keyes concert.  Stosur will take out Clijsters in 3 sets due to being more focused and the better player at this time.

Pick:  Stosur

RESULT:  Kim Clijsters 6-3, 7-5

And now the last match of the day.

(#4) Rafael Nadal  vs.  (#8) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

This is a tough match to call.  Nadal hasn't looked impressive the last couple matches, and Tsonga has a problem of going farther in tournaments.  It seems that at about the quarterfinal-semifinal time is when Jo-Wilfried packs it in and goes home.  Its tough to go against Nadal in this one, so I won't.

Pick:  Nadal

RESULT:  Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-2.

Miami Preview for Tuesday, March 30, 2010.

Matches begin play at 11:00 A.M. local time in Miami, Florida.

STADIUM COURT:

(#8) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga  vs.  (#12) Juan Carlos Ferrero

First match of the day on stadium court is a tough one to call.  Ferrero has had an excellent season so far, but his wins came on clay.  Tsonga has slightly underachieved this year, but with this being a hardcourt tournament and Tsonga the better player on hard surfaces, I have to lean towards him winning in 2 tough sets.

Pick: Tsonga

RESULT:  Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-2, 6-2

Following the Tsonga-Ferrero match will be a womens quarterfinal matchup.

(#3) Venus Williams  vs.  (#6) Agnieszka Radwanska

Men are better athletes than women. 

Pick: Williams

RESULT:  Venus Williams 6-3, 6-1

(#6) Andy Roddick  vs.  Benjamin Becker

Roddick should have little-to-no problems with Becker.  I'm hoping for Becker to spring the upset, but its a very slim possibility.

Pick: Roddick

RESULT:  Andy Roddick 7-6, 6-3.

At about 5 p.m. the best match of the day will follow Roddick-Becker.

(#4) Rafael Nadal  vs.  (#15)  David Ferrer

Ferrer is going to smash the pansy that used to wear capri pants.  All the girls, led by Shakira will be crying when their lizard looking heart-throb gets dismantled by the gritty Spaniard, David Ferrer.  Heres to hoping you blow out a knee Rafa.

Pick: Ferrer by total domination

RESULT:  Rafael Nadal 7-6, 6-4.

The first night match of the day on Stadium court will feature a womens quarterfinal starting at 7 p.m.

(#12) Yanina Wickmayer  vs.  (#13) Marion Bartoli

Bartoli pulled her one big upset of the week by crushing #1 seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova yesterday.  Today is a new day, and the real Bartoli that is known for her inconsistencies will show up.  Wickmayer seems a little more steady these days, and should advance.

Pick:  Wickmayer

RESULT: Marion Bartoli 6-4, 7-5.

and the last match of the day on Stadium Court:

(#1) Roger Federer  vs.  (#16) Tomas Berdych

Roger should roll right through Berdych.  Berdych has been playing better of late, but he doesn't have the skill and ammo to take out "the Rog".  Plus I guarantee that Federer is still pissed about being knocked out early in Indian Wells.  He'll be focused on putting Berdych to waste.

Pick:  Federer

RESULT:  Tomas Berdych 6-4, 6-7, 7-6.

That is the full schedule for Stadium court, there are a few singles matches being played today on the grandstand court. 

The first match of the day on the Grandstand court starts at 11:00 a.m local time and features mens round of 16 action.

(#27) Thomaz Bellucci  vs.  (#33) Nicolas Almagro

Flip a coin:  Heads Bellucci, tails Almagro.

Pick:  Tails it is. Almagro

RESULT:  Nicolas Almagro 6-4, 3-6, 7-6.

(#13) Mikhail Youzhny  vs.  Mardy Fish

Mardy Fish will have the home crowd pulling for him, but the only chance of him winning is if Youzhny comes up with an injury, which is quite possible.  Youzhny is the master of pulling out of matches at the last minute.  He has to be one of the biggest "poosays" on tour.  If Youzhny comes to play its a long day for Fish.  If he comes to "dick-around" then Fish could pull another upset.  Its all up to Mikhail.

Pick:  Youzhny

RESULT:  Mikhail Youzhny 6-1, 1-0 (ret.)

Here is a fun match to watch out on the grandstand court:

(#5) Robin Soderling  vs.  (#9) Fernando Gonzalez

Is Gonzo a little distracted with the recent earthquake in Chile, and trying to come up with a fundraiser for his nation?  On Saturday night Gonzalez and his buddy Andy Roddick will team with Jim Courier and Gustavo Kuerten to do a charity exhibition to help the victims of the recent Chilean earthquake...  Learning that Gonzo is homies with Roddick made me lose a little respect for the guy.  Today on the grandstand court Soderling will blitz Gonzo with the forehand and send him to play "grab-ass" with Roddick on Saturday night.

Pick:  Soderling

RESULT:  Robin Soderling 6-0, 6-7, 6-2.

The last match of the day on the grandstand court is also a pretty good one to watch

(#7) Marin Cilic  vs.  (#10) Fernando Verdasco

Marin Cilic is awesome.  He's not like these Spanish douchebags that want to be models.  Cilic is all about getting better and studying his opponents so he can dominate.  Verdasco seems to be more worried about chasing women tennis players asses and posing in front of a camera wearing queer-ass clothes.  The pimp hand is strong with Cilic and he will put that bitch Verdasco in his place.

Pick:  Cilic

RESULT:  Fernando Verdasco 6-4, 7-6.

Sony Ericsson Open Preview.

The Sony Ericsson Open is a Premier WTA event, and a Masters Series ATP event.  The matches will be played outdoors on hardcourts in Miami, Florida, United States.  The winning woman will earn $700,000 American dollars, and the winning man will go home with $605,000 American dollars.

Top 8 Womens seeds:

1. Svetlana Kuznetsova (#3 in the world)

2. Caroline Wozniacki (#4)

3. Venus Williams (#5)

4. Victoria Azarenka (#6)

5. Elena Dementieva (#7)

6. Agnieszka Radwanska (#8)

7. Jelena Jankovic (#9)

8. Na Li (#10)

Other notables playing this week:  Samantha Stosur, Flavia Pennetta, Justine Henin, Vera Zvonareva, Yanina Wickmayer, Marion Bartoli, Kim Clijsters, Francesca Schiavone, and Nadia Petrova.

Midland jobbers making the tournament:  Vania King, Lucie Hradecka, Elena Baltacha, Sofia Arvidsson, Anne Keothavong, Arantxa Rus, and Heather Watson.

*** World #1 Serena Williams and #2 Dinara Safina are out due to injuries.

Top 8 Mens seeds:

1. Roger Federer (#1 in the world)

2. Novak Djokovic (#2)

3. Andy Murray (#3)

4. Rafael Nadal (#4)

5. Robin Soderling (#7)

6. Andy Roddick (#8)

7. Marin Cilic (#9)

8. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (#10)

*** World #5 Juan Martin Del Potro was expected to play, but pulled out at last minute due to injury.  #6 Nikolay Davydenko is out with a broken left wrist.

Other notables playing this week:  Fernando Gonzalez, Fernando Verdasco, Ivan Ljubicic, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Mikhail Youzhny, David Ferrer, Tomas Berdych, John Isner, Marcos Baghdatis, and Sam Querrey.

Agassi and Sampras feud spills onto charity court.

It all started out as a good idea that Rafael Nadal and Andre Agassi would team up and face Roger Federer and Pete Sampras in a doubles match for a charity that would help the victims of the Haiti earthquake.  Well the goodwill being shown turned into a "slap fight" between two former greats.  The only good things to come out of the event was over 1 million dollars earned for Haiti relief and learning that Roger Federer has a good, witty sense of humor.  It was good to see.

Background info on what happened:  In Andre Agassi's autobiography titled "Open" (great book by the way), Agassi described a situation where he and a former coach were eating at a restaurant and they spotted Pete Sampras eating there as well.  After Pete was done eating he had the valet get his car.  While this was going on Agassi and his coach placed a bet on how much Pete tipped the valet for retrieving his car.  When Andre and his coach left the restaurant they asked the kid how much Sampras left him for a tip.  The kid didn't want to say, but was basically forced to because Andre and his coach had a bet on how much was given to him.  Finally the valet broke down and revealed Peate had given him only a dollar.

It all came to a head a little week ago.  Here is the video of Andre making fun of Sampras being cheap, and Sampras' rebuttal of a serve at Agassi's head:

Andy Murray running his mouth again...

In Davis Cup play, Great Britain has lost its last 5 matchups and faces being relegated to the lowest of all the Davis Cup groupings if they cannot beat Turkey in July.  After their latest defeat, John Lloyd decided to quit as captian, leaving the Brits in a desperate place.  The player who will probably have a big hand in deciding the next captain is world #3 Andy Murray.  Former player Tim Henman's name has come up for the vacancy, and Murray seemed to welcome the idea of Henman as captain.  Henman came out and said he was more interested in improving his golf game and sitting on the Wimbledon committee, rather than be Davis Cup captain.  Another name rumored for the job is former solid player Greg Rusedski.  Rusedski has even shown great interest in wanting the job.  Well there is one big problem;  Murray wants nothing to do with him as coach, saying "I'm  only 22 and hanve only been at the top of the game for a short while but I already know more about tennis, and certainly more about my game, than Greg Rusedski".  So now it looks highly unlikely that Rusedski will get the job.  You know the Brits will cater to whatever Murray wants.  They do not want to upset their player enough to a point where he will never play Davis Cup again.  Everyone involved knows that without Murray, British tennis is basically "dead in the water".  So who knows where they will turn now for a coach.  They, or should I say Andy Murray has until July to decide.

The thing I find ironic about the whole situation is how Murray is running his mouth about this whole situation, and being manipulative to the process of finding a new coach when HE HARDLY EVER PLAYS DAVIS CUP.  He is the type of player that rarely participates, and only does if he has time or feels like it (just like a certain guy named Roger Federer).  So Andy pleas shut your hole, play some video games, and learn to not choke like a bitch in Grand Slam finals, before you start piping-up and putting your nose in business that in all reality you care very little about.

Nikolay Davydenko Out With A Broken Wrist

Nikolay Davydenko the #6 ranked player in the world has been playing with a bothersome left wrist for a short while now.  After a win last week in Indian Wells, the Russian had an X-ray performed on his hurt wrist.  The X-ray showed that he had a small fracture that needed to be put into a cast for a month.  With rehab taking possibly another 2 months, his clay court season is now in jeopardy.  He is lucky that he is right handed, or it could of been more serious to his tennis.

Jankovic back in winners circle, and Ljubicic shocks at Indian Wells

Jelena Jankovic is back to the winning ways that just over a year ago made her the #1 ranked female in the world.  On Sunday afternoon in Indian Wells, California, Jankovic was able to start strong and get a 4-0 lead in the first set, and it was her aggressive play that kept the pressure on Caroline Wozniacki.  The pressure was a little too great on this day and Jankovic was able to get a straight set victory 6-2, 6-4.  With the win, Jankovic was able to collect a check for $700,000 American dollars, and a sweet trophy.  Wozniacki with her finals appearance moved ahead of Dinara Safina to the #2 world ranking, which is a career high for the Dane.

Ivan Ljubicic came out of absolute nowhere to win the Indian Wells mens title over Andy Roddick 7-6, 7-6.  This is a guy who is basically a jobber, and hasn't been a threat on tour in years.  He isn't a terrible player by any means, but he is the type that can beat the poor players and gets dominated by the good and great players.  He has a solid ranking of #26 but he just doesn't seem to ever be a factor in the grand slam or masters series events.  This is a guy who wasn't even selected to be on the Croatian Davis Cup team that competed just a few weeks ago.  So is Ljubicic back the form that saw him reach #3 in the world a few years ago?  Highly doubtful.  To me it seems he caught lightning in a bottle for a week and a half that saw him beat Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Roddick in a matter of a few days.  I wouldn't be shocked that the next tournament Ljubicic enters he is beaten by a no-name qualifier in the first round.  That is the Ivan Ljubicic I have come to know of late.  Either way, he had a great tournament and deserves a big "thumbs up" for his performance and a "fist bump" for taking down that turd Andy Roddick.  Kudos to you Ljubicic.

Indian Wells Finals Preview.

The BNP Paribas Open concludes today in Indian Wells, California, United States.  The womens final will begin at noon local time, and then the mens final will follow directly after on Stadium Court 1.

(#2) Caroline Wozniacki  vs.  (#6) Jelena Jankovic

Flip a coin on this one.  Both of these ladies are defensive players that use their speed and quickness to return anything and everything you throw at them.  Jankovic is slightly more fragile mentally.  She can be almost "weird" on the court, but to her credit she doesn't have the major meltdowns like some of the other players on tour.  Wozniacki is steady.  You rarely see her lose her composure and I believe that will be enough to stay focused and pull out a close match.

Pick:  Wozniacki

(#7) Andy Roddick  vs.  (#20) Ivan Ljubicic

Ivan Ljubicic in the final?  It is crazy the people Ljubicic has beaten in this tournament to make it this far. (Nadal and Djokovic)  His great run has to end today, Right?  I think so, but I'm hoping it doesn't.  Roddick isn't playing so great that a Ljubicic win would be impossible, but he'll have the home country crowd behind him.  Plus he's just a better player than Ljubicic.  Ljubicic is in the middle of a miracle run kind of like Northern Iowa in the NCAA basketball tournament.  Unfortunately Roddick wins this one.

Pick:  Roddick

Indian Wells Preview for Saturday, March 20, 2010

The two men's semifinal matchups are the only singles matches today.  Both will be played on Stadium court 1 starting at noon local time.

(#3) Rafael Nadal  vs.  (#20) Ivan Ljubicic

Rafa is starting to get to the point of playing like he did a year and a half ago when he was dominating the ATP Tour and took the #1 ranking from Roger Federer.  His knees, he says are healthy and he feels good on the court.  This is bad news for the Croatian veteran of the tour Ljubicic.  Rafa will advance to the final with a routine win.

Pick:  Nadal

RESULT:  Ivan Ljubicic 3-6, 6-4, 7-6

(#7) Andy Roddick  vs.  (#6) Robin Soderling

This is a tough match to call.  I'd love to see Soderling get to the final and face Nadal, who neither of them like eachother and would make for some fun to watch.  But Roddick on hardcourt in the U.S. is tough to beat, plus I think Soderling has overachieved to get to this point.  Maybe picking against him seems to do the trick.  So I will again..

Pick: Roddick

RESULT: Andy Roddick 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.

Indian Wells Preview for Friday, March 19, 2010

The Womens semifinals will be played today, along with the two remaining mens quarterfinal matchups.  All singles matches will be played on Stadium 1, starting at noon local time. (California time)

1st match of the day will be a womens semifinal.

(#6) Jelena Jankovic  vs.  (#8) Samantha Stosur

Jelena Jankovic has been extremely inconsistent so far this season.  This is probably the best tournament of this year for her.  Samantha Stosur is consistent, but in a way where she will win regularly in the early rounds, but doensn't make it real deep into tournaments.  So a semifinals appearance is a good accomplishment for her.  This match will be close, but I'm leaning toward Jankovic slightly.

Pick: Jankovic

RESULT:  Jelena Jankovic 6-2, 6-4.

After the first womens semifinal it will be the two remaining mens quarterfinal matchups:

(#18) Tommy Robredo  vs.  (#7) Andy Roddick

I don't see Robredo giving Roddick all that much trouble.  Roddick should cruise with a straight set victory.

Pick:  Roddick

RESULT:  Andy Roddick 6-3, 7-5.

(#4) Andy Murray  vs.  (#6) Robin Soderling

To me this is the match of the day.  Murray has some rust from not playing all that much so far this year, and Soderling is playing at a high level right now.  This match will go the full 3 sets.  Murray's fitness is what will help him in a tough close match.

Pick:  Murray

RESULT:  Robin Soderling 6-1, 7-6.

The night match features the second womens semifinal match:  (7:30 local time start)

(#2) Caroline Wozniacki  vs.  (#5) Agnieszka Radwanska

These two are mirror images of eachother.  Both depending on speed and quickness to do well, and lacking a big power game, but have the consistency needed to win matches.  Radwanska is playing out of her mind right now.  Mowing through her opponents.  Wozniacki seems to be doing just enough to get by, and scraping through each round.  I'm going to go with the hot hand to pull the upset.

Pick:  Radwanska

RESULT:  Caroline Wozniacki 6-2, 6-3.

Indian Wells Preview for Thursday, March 18, 2010.

All singles matches will be played on Stadium 1 Court.

The first match of the day will start at noon local time and feature a women's quarterfinal matchup:

(#23) Alisa Kleybanova vs. (#6) Jelena Jankovic

Both of these players have been inconsistent so far this year. Jankovic is struggling to find the form that made her the #1 player in the year just a year and a half ago, and Kleybanova seems to lack the fitness to take out the top players. Kleybanova although just took out Kim Clijsters, does she have the confidence to push on after that win?.....I think so....
Pick: Kleybanova
RESULT:  Jelena Jankovic 6-4, 6-4

Following the womens quarterfinal will be a mens semifinal match:
(#21) Juan Monaco  vs.  (#20)  Ivan Ljubicic
This is a very difficult match to call.  Both players can play excellent one day, and look terrible the next.  Inconsistency is the word for these two guys.  I'm leaning toward Monaco, just for the fact that Ljubicic is a little older and seems to wear down late in tournaments.  If anything expect this to be an up and down match where one player plays awesome for a stretch, just to go to hell and the other go from playing terrible to great. 
Pick:  Monaco in 3 long sets.
RESULT:  Ivan Ljubicic 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.

The second women's quarterfinal of the day is scheduled next:
(#28) Maria Jose Martinez-Sanchez vs. (#8) Samantha Stosur

Martinez-Sanchez is having a great tournament, already putting two notches on her belt with wins over Victoria Azarenka and Yanina Wickmayer. Stosur is also having a nice tournament taking out Zvonareva and Pavlyuchenkova easily... Stosur has too much experience, and should win this one.
Pick: Stosur
RESULT:  Samantha Stosur 6-3, 7-6.

And the final singles match of the day a mens quarterfinal will be under the lights.  7:30 pm local time:
(#3) Rafael Nadal  vs.  (#19) Tomas Berdych
Berdych is playing well this week, and is surprisingly crushing his opponents with ease.  Both Troicki and Verdasco never had a chance against the Czech.  Rafa is a totally different story though.  Nadal's knees seem to be holding up, and is starting to get the rust off of his game.  I don't think Berdych has much of a chance of pulling the upset.  He'll probably hang with Rafa for the first set, but lose 7-5.  Then will fold and lose the 2nd 6-2.
Pick:  Nadal
RESULT:  Rafael Nadal 6-4, 7-6.

Indian Wells Mens Round of 16 AND Womens Quarterfinal Matchups and Picks.

Mens Round of 16:

(#27) Marcos Baghdatis  vs.  (#18) Tommy Robredo

Marcos Baghdatis fresh off his upset win over Roger Federer now plays Tommy Robredo who has had an easy road thus far.

Pick:  Baghdatis

RESULT:  Tommy Robredo 7-5, 0-6, 6-4

(#22) Jurgen Melzer  vs.  (#7) Andy Roddick

With Federer losing, Roddick's road to the semifinals just got a lot easier.  He should have no problem with Melzer.

Pick:  Roddick

RESULT:  Andy Roddick 7-6, 6-4

(#4) Andy Murray  vs.  Nicolas Almagro

Almagro has had a nice tournament so far, beating "Dr. Ivo" and James Blake.  Andy Murray is a whole different level of player to face.

Pick:  Murray

RESULT: Andy Murray 6-2, 1-0 (ret.)

(#9) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga  vs.  (#6) Robin Soderling

Soderling seems to be the type of player that consistently beats the guys he is suppose to beat, but struggles with the elite and those that are at about the same level as him.  This is just the case, Tsonga is his equal if not a little better.

Pick:  Tsonga

RESULT:  Robin Soderling 6-3, 6-4

(#29) Viktor Troicki  vs.  (#19) Tomas Berdych

Troicki basically "blows", it baffles me at how he can attain such a high ranking.  Berdych is an underachiever, but is coming off destroying Fernando Verdasco.  So who knows what Berdych you will get. 

Pick:  Berdych

RESULT: Tomas Berdych 6-1, 6-3

(#15) John Isner  vs.  (#3) Rafael Nadal

Big John is having a nice year, but with a healthy Nadal he doesn't stand much of a chance.

Pick:  Nadal

RESULT:  Rafael Nadal 7-5, 3-6, 6-3

Guillermo Garcia-Lopez  vs.  (#21) Juan Monaco

This is an unlikely matchup between two guys who not a lot of people thought would make it this far.  Garcia-Lopez took out 2 seeds, Cilic and Bellucci, while Monaco upset the red-hot Juan Carlos Ferrero.  Can Garcia-Lopez continue his run?......nah, probably not.

Pick:  Monaco

RESULT:  Juan Monaco 3-6, 6-2, 6-1.

(#20) Ivan Ljubicic  vs.  (#2) Novak Djokovic

Gotta love a Croatian-Serb matchup.  The last time these two played Ljubicic gave Djokovic all he could handle and it looked like he was going to beat the high ranked Serb.  Then the wheels fell off and mentally he collapsed.  After seeing that, it shows that Ljubicic doesn't have the confidence to pull the big upset.

Pick:  Djokovic

RESULT: Ivan Ljubicic 7-5, 6-3

Womens Quarterfinals:

(#23) Alisa Kleybanova  vs.  (#6) Jelena Jankovic

Both of these players have been inconsistent so far this year.  Jankovic is struggling to find the form that made her the #1 player in the year just a year and a half ago, and Kleybanova seems to lack the fitness to take out the top players.  Kleybanova although just took out Kim Clijsters, does she have the confidence to push on after that win?.....I think so....

Pick:  Kleybanova

(#28) Maria Jose Martinez-Sanchez  vs.  (#8) Samantha Stosur

Martinez-Sanchez is having a great tournament, already putting two notches on her belt with wins over Victoria Azarenka and Yanina Wickmayer.  Stosur is also having a nice tournament taking out Zvonareva and Pavlyuchenkova easily... Stosur has too much experience, and should win this one.

Pick:  Stosur

(#5) Agnieszka Radwanska  vs.  (#4) Elena Dementieva

Two players that like to "flame-out" of tournaments earlier than they should.  Dementieva has been upset prone so far this year, and Radwanska has been playing surprisingly better than I expected in this tournament.  I think she keeps it going and takes out Dementieva.

Pick:  Radwanska

RESULT:  Agnieszka Radwanska 6-4, 6-3.

(#18) Jie Zheng  vs.  (#2) Caroline Wozniacki

Zheng and Wozniacki are very similar in the way they play the game.  Both ladies lack power and rely on speed and consistency to win matches.  Its just that Wozniacki is a level or two above Zheng.  Zheng has had a nice run, but it ends today.

Pick:  Wozniacki

RESULT:  Caroline Wozniacki 6-4, 4-6, 6-1.

(I will be editing in the winners and scores of each match after they have been completed.  The actual score and winner will be under my pick, so check back on here and/or the facebook page.)

Indian Wells Womens Round of 16 matchups and predictions.

Womens Round of 16:

Carla Suarez Navarro  vs. (#23) Alisa Kleybanova

Carla Suarez Navarro upset 2 seeds to get to the 4th round.  #1 seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova and #27 seed Agnes Szavay both fell victim to the woman from Spain... Alisa Kleybanova reached the round of 16 by pulling a upset of her own.  She took out #14 seed, U.S. Open champion Kim Clijsters.

My Pick:  Kleybanova

(#17) Shahar Peer  vs.  (#9) Jelena Jankovic

Shahar Peer upset #9 seeded Flavia Pennetta to get to this point, and Jelena Jankovic almost fell victim to Sara Errani in the previous round, but pulled out a miracle comeback to get to the 4th round.

My Pick: Jankovic

(#28) Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez  vs.  (#13) Yanina Wickmayer

Martinez Sanchez big win of the tournament is a upset win over #3 seeded Victoria Azarenka.  Yanina Wickmayer is the high seed of  her section and moved to the round of 16 without incident.

My Pick:  Wickmayer

(#12) Vera Zvonareva  vs.  (#8) Samantha Stosur

Both Zvonareva and Stosur haven't been tested yet, winning their matches without much trouble.

My Pick:  Zvonareva in a minor upset.

(#8) Agnieszka Radwanska  vs.  (#11) Marion Bartoli

Radwanska made it through a section that featured Justine Henin, even though Henin flamed out in her first match.  Bartoli easily advanced past Hercog and Craybas.

Pick:  Bartoli,  This is about the time Radwanska loses in tournaments.

(#19) Arevane Rezai  vs.  (#4) Elena Dementieva

Rezai defeated Tanasugarn and #18 Francesca Schiavone.  Dementieva cruised past Govortsova and Flipkens to get to the 4th round.

Pick: Dementieva

Alicia Molik  vs.  (#18) Jie Zheng

Alicia Molik made it through a section where #7 Na Li and #29 Anabel Medina Garrigues were placed.  Elena Baltacha helped by taking out Li, and Molik then defeated Baltacha.  Jie Zheng took out Sorana Cirstea and Maria Sharapova to get to this point.

My Pick:  Zheng

(#16) Nadia Petrova  vs.  (#2) Caroline Wozniacki

Petrova is back kicking ass beating Patty Schnyder and Shuai Peng...Caroline Wozniacki got through Vania King and gave Maria Kirilenko a beatdown to reach the round of 16.

My Pick:  Petrova pulls the upset.

tomorrow will be the mens round of 16.

Indian Wells Preview

The BNP Paribas Open is a "joint" event in Indian Wells, California, United States.  A big event for both the men and women.  So huge that it is a Masters Series event for the ATP, and a Premier Mandatory event for the WTA.  All the big names not named Williams will be participating in Indian Wells for the next week and a half.

Top 8 Womens Seeds:

1. Svetlana Kuznetsova (#3 in the world)

2. Caroline Wozniacki (#4)

3. Victoria Azarenka (#6)

4. Elena Dementieva (#7)

5. Agnieszka Radwanska (#8)

6. Jelena Jankovic (#9)

7. Na Li (#10)

8. Samantha Stosur (#11)

Other notables playing this week:  Flavia Pennetta, Maria Sharapova, Marion Bartoli, Vera Zvonareva, Yanina Wickmayer, Kim Clijsters, Francesca "Scheeeve Scheeeev" Schiavone, Nadia Petrova, Shahar Peer, Dominika Cibulkova, Ana Ivanovic, and finally Justine Henin returns.

Midland "jobbers" in the field: Lucie Hradecka (I swear she never takes a break), Anne Keothavong, Eleni Danilidou, Elena Baltacha, and Vania King.

Top 8 Mens Seeds:

1. Roger Federer (#1 in the world)

2. Novak Djokovic (#2)

3. Rafael Nadal (#3)

4. Andy Murray (#4)

5. Nikolay Davydenko (#6)

6. Robin Soderling (#7)

7. Andy Roddick (#8)

8. Marin Cilic (#9)

WTF where is Del Po?

Other notables playing this week: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Fernando Verdasco, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Gael Monfils, David Ferrer, Radek Stepanek, John Isner, Gilles Simon, Marcos Baghdatis, Janko Tipsarevic, Ivo Karlovic, James Blake, Tomas Berdych, Sam Querrey, and pretty much all the top players not named Juan Martin Del Potro.

Early Week News and Notes.

The curse of being an "American" has hit Tommy Haas.  Just a few weeks ago Haas became a citizen of the United States.  Since that day he has yet to win a match, and now faces a 6 month layoff after having hip surgery.  Haas has been quoted about the situation saying, "the pain was simply too great."  I'm not sure if he was talking about the hip or becoming an American.

Sony Ericsson is no longer the major sponsor of the WTA Tour.  The WTA tour and Sony Ericcson have reached a contract extension for Sony Ericsson to still be a sponsor, but not the "title sponsor".   It takes 13 million for the WTA to have you be the title sponsor of the tour.  Sony Ericsson was only able to go as high as 9 million.  Now the WTA is now searching for a new title sponsor and a sponsor for their year end championship event as well.

Monterrey and Davis Cup Results.

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova had to win 2 matches today in order to become champion at the Monterrey Open, in Monterrey, Mexico, and thats exactly what she did.  Pavlyuchenkova's semifinal match was postponed due to rain on Saturday. So that meant the young Russian had to beat Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia this morning, and then face Daniela Hantuchova in the evening final.  Pavlyuchenkova showed some fatigue in the first set losing easily to Hantuchova 6-1.  Then it seemed a switch was flipped or the adrenaline started to flow.  After the slow start, Pavlyuchenkova laid a beatdown on Hantuchova the rest of the match.  Losing only 1 game in the final 2 sets to win her first title of the season. 1-6, 6-1, 6-0.

The first round of the Davis Cup has concluded.  Well most of the matchups have finished, the Chile-Israel matchup will conclude on Monday.  No real upsets happened, and I am 7 for 7 in my picks.  I am the Davis Cup guru...or something.  Here are the results.

Spain advances to quarterfinals after defeating Switzerland 4-1.

Saturday:

Marcel Granollers and Tommy Robredo (ESP) defeat Yves Allegro and Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) 7-6, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4

Sunday:

David Ferrer (ESP) defeats Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) 6-2, 6-4, 6-0

Nicolas Almagro (ESP) defeats Marco Chiudinelli (SUI) 6-1, 6-3.

France handles Germany 4-1 to move into quarterfinals.

Saturday:

Julien Benneteau and Michael Llodra (FRA) defeat Christopher Kas and Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) 6-1, 6-4, 1-6, 7-5.

Sunday:

Simon Greul (GER) defeats Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) 4-6, 6-2, 1-0 (ret.)

Julien Benneteau (FRA) defeats Benjamin Becker (GER) 6-2, 7-5.

Mikhail Youzhny leads Russia past India 3-2.

Saturday:

Leander Paes and Muhash Bhupathi (IND) defeat Teimuraz Gabashvili and Igor Kunitsyn 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.

Sunday:

Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) defeats Somdev Devvarman (IND) 6-2, 6-1, 6-3.

Rohan Bopanna (IND) defeats Teimuraz Gabashvili (RUS) 7-6, 6-4.

David Nalbandian saves Argentina from elimination 3-2.

Saturday:

David Nalbandian and Horacio Zeballos (ARG) defeat Robert Lindstedt and Robin Soderling (SWE) 6-2, 7-6, 7-6.

Sunday:

Robin Soderling (SWE) defeats Leonardo Mayer (ARG) 7-5, 7-6, 7-5.

David Nalbandian (ARG) defeats Andreas Vinciguerra (SWE) 7-5, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4

Croatia crushes Ecuador 5-0.

Saturday:

Marin Cilic and Ivo Karlovic (CRO) defeat Giovanni Lapentti and Nicolas Lapentti (ECU) 7-6, 6-3, 7-5.

Sunday:

Antonio Veic (CRO) defeats Julio-Cesar Campozano (ECU) 6-4, 7-6.

Ivan Dodig (CRO) defeats Ivan Endara (ECU) 6-1, 6-3.

Serbia advances to quarters for first time in history after defeating United States 3-2.

Saturday:

Bob Bryan and John Isner (USA) defeat Janko Tipsarevic and Nenad Zimonjic (SRB) 7-6, 5-7, 7-6, 6-3.

Sunday:

Novak Djokovic (SRB) defeats John Isner (USA) 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 6-7, 6-4

Sam Querrey (USA) defeats Viktor Troicki (SRB) 7-5, 6-2.

Czech Republic cruises past Belgium 4-1.

Saturday:

Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek (CZE) defeat Steve Darcis and Olivier Rochus (BEL) 7-6, 6-0, 6-3.

Sunday:

Steve Darcis (BEL) defeats Jan Hajek (CZE) 7-6, 1-6, 6-4.

Lukas Dlouhy (CZE) defeats Christophe Rochus (BEL) 1-6, 7-6, 7-5.

Chile leads Israel 2-1

Saturday:

Nicolas Massu (CHI) defeats Dudi Sela (ISR) 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-4

Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) defeats Harel Levy (ISR) 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.

Sunday:

Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram (ISR) defeat Jorge Aguilar and Paul Capdeville (CHI) 6-7, 7-6, 2-6, 6-1, 6-0.

*** check back here and the facebook page on Monday for final results of the Chile-Israel matchup.

UPDATE

Chile defeats Israel 4-1

Monday:

Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) defeated Dudi Sela (ISR) 6-4, 6-4, 6-3.

Jorge Aguilar (CHI) defeated Harel Levy (ISR) 7-6, 6-1.

Davis Cup Update (Friday Singles)

Spain and Switzerland are tied 1-1 going into Saturday's doubles match.

Friday Results:

Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) defeated Nicolas Almagro (ESP) 3-6, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3

David Ferrer (ESP) defeated Marco Chiudinelli (SUI) 6-2, 7-6, 6-1

France leads Germany 2-0.

Friday Results:

Gael Monfils (FRA) defeated Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) 6-1, 6-4, 7-6

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) defeated Benjamin Becker (GER) 6-3, 6-2, 6-7, 6-3

Russia leads India 2-0.

Friday Results:

Igor Kunitsyn (RUS) defeated Somdev Devvarman (IND) 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 6-4

Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) defeated Rohan Bopanna (IND) 6-4, 6-2, 6-3

Sweden and Argentina are tied 1-1.

Friday Results:

Robin Soderling (SWE) defeated Eduardo Schwank (ARG) 6-1, 7-6, 7-5

Leonardo Mayer (ARG) defeated Joachim Johansson (SWE) 5-7, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4

Croatia leads Ecuador 2-0.

Friday Results:

Ivo Karlovic (CRO) defeated Nicolas Lapentti (ECU) 6-2, 5-7, 6-7, 6-3, 6-4

Marin Cilic (CRO) defeated Giovanni Lapentti (ECU) 6-4, 6-3, 6-3

Serbia leads United States 2-0.

Friday Results:

Viktor Troicki (SRB) defeated John Isner (USA) 7-6, 6-7, 7-5, 6-4

Novak Djokovic (SRB) defeated Sam Querrey (USA) 6-2, 7-6, 2-6, 6-3

Czech Republic leads Belgium 2-0

Friday Results:

Tomas Berdych (CZE) defeated Olivier Rochus (BEL) 6-3, 6-0, 6-4

Radek Stepanek (CZE) defeated Xavier Malisse (BEL) 6-2, 6-4, 7-6

Chile and Israel begin play tomorrow

Monterrey, Mexico Tournament Update

The Monterrey Open in Monterrey, Mexico has now reached the quarterfinal round. The big upset of the week was #1 seed Jelena Jankovic losing in the first round to Anastasia Sevastova of Latvia.

Quarterfinal matchups:

Anastasia Sevastova  vs.  Alize Cornet - Sevastova is playing well, Cornet is inconsistent.  Sevastova wins.

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova  vs.  Klara Zakopalova - Pavlyuchenkova has been dominant this week with wins over Anna Tatishvile and Polona "boss" Hercog.  She continues on to the semifinals

Agnes Szavay  vs.  Dominika Cibulkova - Both players have looked good so far this week.  Cibulkova is slightly more talented, and she will do just enough to get by Szavay.

Vania King  vs.  Daniela Hantuchova - Vania King has the distinction of being the last "Midland jobber" left in the tournament.  Well for atleast another day.  Hantuchova will win.

Davis Cup Preview

On Friday the 1st round of the Davis Cup will begin.  Here is a preview of who will be playing and who I think will come out on top.


The first matchup will be the defending Davis Cup champions Spain taking on a Roger Federerless Switzerland team.  The matches will take place  on clay in Lograno, Spain.

Here are the players representing Spain:

David Ferrer (#16 in the world)

Nicolas Almagro (#40)

Tommy Robredo (#23)

Marcel Granollers (#114)

Ferrer and Almagro will be the singles players.  Robredo and Granollers will team up to play doubles together.

The Swiss Team:

Stanislas Wawrinka (#19)

Marco Chiudinelli (#56)

Michael Lammer (#192)

Yves Allegro (#128 doubles player in the world)

Wawrinka and Chiudinelli are scheduled to play singles.  Wawrinka will do doubles duty with Michael Lammer.  Yves Allegro will keep the bench warm and play if only needed or if its a beatdown.  Basically hes a scrub who will only play if its out of hand in either direction.

Schedule (as of Thursday.  All matchups are subject to change)

Friday:

Nicolas Almagro (ESP)  vs.  Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI)

David Ferrer (ESP)  vs.  Marco Chiudinelli (SUI)

Saturday:

Marcel Granollers and Tommy Robredo (ESP) vs. Stanislas Wawrinka and Michael Lammer (SUI)

Sunday:

David Ferrer (ESP)  vs. Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI)

Nicolas Almagro  vs.  Marco Chiudinelli (SUI)

I think this Spanish-Swiss matchup will be close.  I can see a split on the first day, and the Swiss winning the doubles match to take a 2-1 lead.  It will all come down to a Ferrer-Wawrinka matchup.  David Ferrer was 6-0 in his Davis Cup singles matches and has the experience in tough situations.  The home crowd won't hurt the Spanish team either.  Spain gets by in a close one 3-2

Germany and France will meet in Toulon, France with all matches being played on indoor hardcourts.

The French Team:

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (#11 in the world)

Gael Monfils (#15)

Julien Benneteau (#37)

Michael Llodra (#65)

Tsonga and Monfils will play singles.  Benneteau and Llodra to play doubles.

German Team:

Philipp Kohlschreiber (#30)

Benjamin Becker (#39)

Simon Greul (#58)

Christopher Kas (#32 doubles player in the world)

Kohlschreiber and Becker playing singles.  Kohlschreiber and doubles expert Kas will team up for doubles.

Schedule (as of Thursday. All matchups are subject to change)

Friday:

Gael Monfils (FRA)  vs.  Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER)

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA)  vs.  Benjamin Becker (GER)

Saturday:

Julien Benneteau and Michael Llodra (FRA) vs. Philipp Kohlschreiber and Christopher Kas (GER)

Sunday:

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA)  vs.  Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER)

Gael Monfils (FRA)  vs.  Benjamin Becker (GER)

This one shouldn't be close.  When you have two talented and energetic guys playing at home like the French do, it spells trouble for Germany.  Kohlschreiber and Becker could surprise and pull an upset, but it takes more than one upset to win.  France will win 4-1.

On indoor hardcourts in Moscow.  Russia and India will battle this weekend. 

Team Russia:

Mikhail Youzhny (#13)

Igor Andreev (#38)

Igor Kunitsyn (#107)

Teimuraz Gabashvili (#109)

Youzhny and Andreev will play singles.  Kunitsyn and Gabashvili will be the doubles team.

Team India:

Somdev Devvarman (#128)

Rohan Bopanna (#416)

Leander Paes (#6 doubles player in world)

Mahesh Bhupathi (#8 doubles player in world)

Devvarman and Bopanna will be the singles players.  Paes and Bhupathi will team up for doubles.

Schedule (as of Thursday. All matchups are subject to change)

Friday:

Igor Andreev (RUS)  vs.  Somdev Devvarman (IND)

Mikhail Youzhny  vs.  Rohan Bopanna (IND)

Saturday:

Igor Kunitsyn and Teimuraz Gabashvili (RUS) vs. Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi (IND)

Sunday:

Mikhail Youzhny (RUS)  vs.  Somdev Devvarman (IND)

Igor Andreev (RUS)  vs.  Rohan Bopanna (IND)

The Russians figure to have too much firepower on the singles side for the team from India.  The doubles match should be a win for India.  With a little luck India can make it interesting, but is not good enough to win.  Russia to advance with a 4-1 win.

Sweden and Argentina will play their 1st round on indoor hardcourts in Stockholm, Sweden.

Team Sweden:

Robin Soderling (#7 in the world)

Andreas Vinciguerra (#232)

Joachim Johansson (#373)

Robert Lindstedt (#31 doubles player in the world)

Soderling and Johansson will play singles.  Lindstedt and Soderling are scheduled to play doubles together.

Team Argentina:

Horacio Zeballos (#50)

Leonardo Mayer (#73)

Eduardo Schwank (#64)

David Nalbandian (#154)

Mayer and Schwank will play singles.  Mayer and Zeballos will be the doubles team.  Nalbandian is injured and will not play but is still on team.

Schedule (as of Thursday. All matchups are subject to change)

Friday:

Robin Soderling (SWE)  vs.  Eduardo Schwank (ARG)

Joachim Johansson (SWE)  vs.  Leonardo Mayer (ARG)

Saturday:

Robert Lindstedt and Robin Soderling (SWE) vs. Leonardo Mayer and Horacio Zeballos (ARG)

Sunday:

Robin Soderling (SWE)  vs.  Leonardo Mayer (ARG)

Joachim Johansson (SWE)  vs.  Eduardo Schwank (ARG)

Robin Soderling will single handedly keep the Swedes in it, but the Argentine team will take advantage of Sweden's lack of depth behind Soderling and get the road win 3-2.

Croatia and Ecuador will play thier first round matchup in Varazdin, Croatia on indoor hardcourts.

Team Croatia:

Marin Cilic (#9 in the world)

Ivo Karlovic (#29)

Ivan Dodig (#260 doubles player)

Antonio Veic (#324 doubles player)

Cilic and Karlovic will play singles.  Dodig and Veic will team up for doubles.

Team Ecuador:

Nicolas Lapentti (#94)

Giovanni Lapentti (#222)

Ivan Endara (#479)

Julio-Cesar Campozano (#478)

The Lapentti brother will both play singles and doubles. 

Schedule (as of Thursday. All matchups are subject to change)

Friday:

Ivo Karlovic (CRO)  vs.  Nicolas Lapentti (ECU)

Marin Cilic (CRO)  vs.  Giovanni Lapentti (ECU)

Saturday:

Ivan Dodig and Antonio Veic (CRO) vs. The Lapentti Brothers (ECU)

Sunday:

Marin Cilic (CRO)  vs. Nicolas Lapentti (ECU)

Ivo Karlovic (CRO) vs. Giovanni Lapentti (ECU)

Can you say beatdown?  Croatia to crush Ecuador 5-0

Serbia and the United States is the next matchup.  The matches will be played on indoor clay in Belgrade, Serbia.

Team Serbia:

Novak Djokovic (#2 in the world)

Viktor Troicki (#35)

Janko Tipsarevic (#36)

Nenad Zimonjic (#1 doubles player in the world)

Djokovic and Troicki will play singles.  Tipsarevic and Zimonjic to team up for doubles.

Team USA:

John Isner (#20)

Sam Querrey (#22)

Bob and Mike Bryan (#2 doubles team in the world)

Isner and Querrey will play singles.  The Bryan brothers will play doubles.


Schedule (as of Thursday. All matchups are subject to change)
Friday:
Viktor Troicki (SRB)  vs.  John Isner (USA)
Novak Djokovic (SRB)  vs.  Sam Querrey (USA)
Saturday:
Janko Tipsarevic and Nenad Zimonjic (SRB) vs. Bob and Mike Bryan (USA)
Sunday:
Novak Djokovic (SRB)  vs. John Isner (USA)
Viktor Troicki (SRB)  vs.  Sam Querrey (USA)

This matchup comes all down to how well Viktor Troicki plays.  You can pretty much give Djokovic the 2 singles matches and the Bryan Brothers the doubles match.  It all depends on if Troicki can atleast win 1 of his singles matches.  The way the U.S. plays on clay and in Serbia, that is a great possiblility.  Serbia advances with a close 3-2 win.


Belgium and the Czech Republic will meet on indoors clay in Bree, Belgium
Team Belgium:

Olivier Rochus (#59 in the world)
Xavier Malisse (#87)
Steve Darcis (#99)
Christophe Rochus (#136)

O.Rochus and Malisse will play singles. Darcis and O. Rochus will play doubles.  Christophe Rochus warms the bench.

Team Czech Republic:

Tomas Berdych (#25)
Radek Stepanek (#17)
Jan Hajek (#82)
Lukas Dlouhy (#5 doubles player in the world)

Berdych and Stepanek to play singles.  Hajek and Dlouhy will team up for doubles.

Schedule (as of Thursday. All matchups are subject to change)
Friday:
Olivier Rochus (BEL)  vs.  Tomas Berdych (CZE)
Xavier Malisse (BEL)  vs.  Radek Stepanek (CZE)
Saturday:
Olivier Rochus and Steve Darcis (BEL)  vs.  Jan Hajek and Lukas Dlouhy (CZE)
Sunday:
Olivier Rochus (BEL)  vs.  Radek Stepanek (CZE)
Xavier Malisse (BEL)  vs.  Tomas Berdych (CZE)

Look for the Czech's to have this one wrapped up after Saturday.  Up 3-0 they may elect to let Dlouhy and Hajek play some singles which i believe will be the case.  Czech Republic cruises to a 4-1 win over Belgium.


And the last matchup of the week will be between Chile and Israel in Coquimbo, Chile.  The matches will be played on red clay and start a day late due to the recent earthquake that struck Chile.
Chilean Team:

Fernando Gonzalez (#10 in the world)
Nicolas Massu (#92)
Paul Capdeville (#146)
Jorge Aguilar (#223)

There has not been an official release as to who will play what.  My guess is Gonzo and Massu at singles.  Capdeville and Aguilar doubles.  I wouldn't be surprised to see Gonzo do double-duty though.

Israeli Team:

Dudi Sela (#66)
Harel Levy (#118)
Jonathan Erlich (#101 doubles player in the world)
Andy Ram (#9 doubles player in the world)

Sela and Levy will probably play singles, and Erlich and Ram will probably be the doubles team for Israel.

Schedule (as of Thursday. All matchups are subject to change)
The matches will begin Saturday.  One day later than the rest of the Davis Cup nations.  No official matchups have been announced yet.  I will edit them in as soon as they become available.
UPDATE***
Friday:
Nicolas Massu (CHI)  vs.  Dudi Sela (ISR)
Fernando Gonzalez (CHI)  vs.  Harel Levy (ISR)
Saturday:
Fernando Gonzalez and Nicolas Massu (CHI) vs. Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram (ISR)
Sunday:
Fernando Gonzalez (CHI)  vs.  Dudi Sela (ISR)
Nicolas Massu (CHI)  vs.  Harel Levy (ISR)

Gonzo will take both of his singles matches.  The Israeli team of Ram and Erlich will probably win the doubles.  It comes down to one of the Chilean's beating either Sela or Levy.  At home on the clay this will most definetly happen.  Chile will advance 3-2.