Grand Slam Professional Tennis Predictions and Picks by Nick Bollettieri. US Open, French Open, Wimbledon, Australian Open

Nick’s Picks along with Tennis Week and CBS Sports will bring you live coverage of the US Open from New York City. Check back everyday for insight leading up to the Open and then throughout.

Lindsay Davenport (USA) vs. Marion Bartoli (FRA)

Davenport continued to look impressive with her straight set victory over Alisa Kleybanova in the second round under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium. She absolutely loves playing at the US Open, and she feeds off the energy of the crowd very well. Davenport wants to get into the second week here badly, so you know she is going to be focused.

After reaching the finals at Wimbledon in 2007, Bartoli hasn’t done much. She has no titles on the year, hasn’t been past the third round of a Grand Slam, and coming into the US Open she had a record of 20-20. She could use a couple of big wins here to get herself back on the right path.

Match-Up:

Davenport and Bartoli have met four times previously, with Davenport winning three of those matches (including one earlier this year at Indian Wells). Bartoli is a very exciting player to watch because she uses two hands on both sides. Her movement is solid, but because of the two hands she sometimes has trouble reaching balls. Davenport’s serve and early groundstrokes have been excellent so far, and she is going to need to continue striking the ball well if she wants to find herself playing next week. The key to this match is Davenport’s serve and her ability to jump on defensive balls. When she is doing this correctly, there is no one better in the game. Bartoli can definitely challenge Davenport here, but in the end I feel Davenport’s experience and big game will be too much for the Frenchwoman.

Nick’s Pick – Davenport in 3 sets

Jelena Jankovic (SRB) vs. Jie Zheng (CHN)

Jankovic had two matches in the second round. The first came on the court against Sofia Arvidsson, as she was pushed to the brink before winning 7-5 in the third set. The second came after she took the court, because her knee cramped up on the treadmill and she couldn’t move. Hopefully that won’t affect her in this match.

Zheng defeated #26 Anabel Medina Garrigues in the second round, winning 6-1, 6-4. After taking the first set easily, Zheng fell back in the second set 4-1 but managed to come roaring back to win. You may remember Zheng, because she is the woman who surprised everyone by reaching the semis of Wimbledon earlier this year.

Match-Up:

Jankovic is 3-1 against Zheng, and beat her earlier this year in the quarterfinals at Miami. Both of these girls play a similar style. They are excellent movers, like to stand right on or near the baseline and take the ball early. Both have great backhands and are excellent competitors. To me, this match comes down to Jankovic’s health. If she doesn’t have any lingering effects of the knee injury then I give her the edge. If she starts cramping up again, Zheng will jump all over her. I’ll take Jankovic in a close match as long as she remains injury-free.

Nick’s Pick – Jankovic in 3 tough sets

Serena Williams (USA) vs. Ai Sugiyama (JPN)

Serena was dominant in her second round win, losing only two games and winning in under one hour. She served well and broke Elena Vesnina on six of her eight break opportunities. She also kept her unforced errors down, which is really the key to her success.

It is amazing to think that this is Sugiyama’s 14^th US Open and that she is 33 years old! She won the doubles back in 2000 and has been to the fourth round in singles twice.

Match-Up:

Sugiyama and Williams have met three times previously, with Serena winning all of those matches. Sugiyama plays one way. She stands on the baseline and runs from one side to the other retrieving balls. She has fantastic lateral movement, solid groundstrokes, and is an excellent doubles player. In this match, Serena’s constant pounding groundies and her physical style of play will cause Sugiyama to hit defensive balls. Serena will then be able to hit winners or cause errors. Serena will have to be cautious though because Sugiyama doesn’t make too many mistakes from the baseline.

Nick’s Pick – S. Williams in 2 sets

Julie Coin (FRA) vs. Amelie Mauresmo (FRA)

Coin pulled off one of, if not, the biggest upset ever in US Open history by beating Ana Ivanovic in the first round. She qualified for the tournament, which is her first Grand Slam, and then she comes in and beats the #1 player in the world. There is no way anybody could have predicted this!

It looked as though Mauresmo was going to lose her second round match after the first set, but she managed to regain her composure and come back to beat Kaia Kanepi in three. It is tough to figure out which Mauresmo you are going to see this year, but let’s hope she continues to play well.

Match-Up:

Coin and Mauresmo have never officially met on the WTA Tour, but they are from the same club outside of Paris and know each other very well. Coin served well against Ivanovic, and proved to be more than capable of handling the big stage. Her groundstrokes are solid and she moves pretty well. Mauresmo cannot blow Coin off the court with a big weapon, so I look for her to use some variety. She will change the pace and throw in some slices to try and catch Coin off guard. This is a tough match to call because Mauresmo hasn’t had her best year, but I think when you combine her experience with Coin’s lack of experience the edge goes to Mauresmo.

Nick’s Pick – Mauresmo in 3 sets

Here are a couple of other interesting third round matches to watch…

Radwanska/Cibulkova – Cilbukova is a bundle of dynamite, standing a tall 5′3”. Even though she can compare to people in size she has a big heart and is an inspiration to small girls everywhere! Radwanska is like a brick wall back there, and it is tough to get anything past her. The edge here goes to Radwanska, but this should be a fun one.

V. Williams/Bondarenko – Bondarenko is a steady player, moves well, and is always dangerous. Venus is playing beautifully and has the ability to come in to the net and finish off any defensive balls. She also has that big serve and some of the best groundstrokes you will ever see. She just needs to keep her unforced errors down.