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

Every day throughout Wimbledon Nick’s Picks will bring you the latest analysis and predictions. We are also teaming up with The Independent Newspaper in London to cover the event!

Roger Federer (SUI) vs. Ivo Karlovic (CRO)

Federer extended his winning streak over Robin Soderling to 11, when he beat the Swede to reach the quarterfinals. He has now reached at least the quarterfinals in 21 consecutive Grand Slams and has been to the finals of 17 of the last 20 Grand Slams. He is looking for his sixth Wimbledon title and his record breaking 15^th Grand Slam singles title.

Karlovic is into the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career. His previous best result was the fourth round of Wimbledon in 2004.  He has knocked off two top-ten players in back-to-back rounds in Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Fernando Verdasco and hasn’t faced a break point on his serve throughout the tournament.

Match-Up:

Federer is 8-1 against Karlovic and has beaten him twice already this year. Karlovic did beat him on the hard courts in Cincinnati last year though in three sets. Karlovic came to the Academy for the month of December last year and we worked hard on his backhand and I tried to get him to hit over the ball more and slice it less (on surfaces other than grass). Karlovic’s serve has been the biggest weapon of the tournament so far and he is going to need to continue serving like that to have a chance in this match, because Federer’s serve is no slouch.

I look for Karlovic to serve to the backhand of Federer constantly and try to break it down. Federer never really has had trouble with the return of serve and if he returns well Karlovic will be in big trouble. Once the ball is in play, Federer will go after Karlovic’s backhand and will come in and try to attack it when possible. Federer is confident and hasn’t really been challenged yet, but Karlovic is definitely capable of pushing Federer. The longer this match goes the more confidence Karlovic is going to get and the more Federer is going to have to battle. I like Federer in this match, but don’t be surprised to see Dr. Ivo take it to him.

Nick’s Pick – Federer in 4 sets

Andy Roddick (USA) vs. Lleyton Hewitt (AUS)

Roddick continued his excellent play with a straight set win over Tomas Berdych in the fourth round. This is his fifth trip to the quarterfinals of Wimbledon and he is looking to reach the finals for the third time (and first since 2005). Don’t count Roddick out, especially with how well he is playing.

Hewitt is enjoying his best performance at a Grand Slam since the 2006 US Open. He has already taken out one top-ten player in Juan Martin Del Potro and he certainly has the goods to take down another. He is a former Wimbledon champion and the crowd really gets behind him throughout his matches.

Match-Up:

Hewitt is 6-5 against Roddick, but Andy has won the last four times they have played. They actually just met right before Wimbledon at Queen’s Club on grass and Roddick won in two tiebreak sets. This match is going to be a slugfest between two extremely competitive people. I’ve really been shocked at how well Hewitt is moving with the injuries he has sustained. It has been a big plus for him. Hewitt is also playing more aggressive, his serve looks to be improved and you know what kind of fighter he is. Roddick is going to need to continue serving extremely well because Hewitt has an excellent return of serve (you saw what he did to Del Potro). Roddick should serve into the body of Hewitt and try and jam him rather than going out wide all the time. This is an effective serve when hit correctly. Roddick is going to have to be patient in this match and not let Hewitt frustrate him. The longer this match goes the more it favors Hewitt because of how he fights. I look for Roddick to have the advantage in three or four sets, but if it goes give, watch out!

Nick’s Pick – Roddick in 4 sets

Tommy Haas (GER) vs. Novak Djokovic (SRB)

Before the tournament I told everyone that Mr. Haas was someone to watch out for. He came into Wimbledon full of confidence and ready to roll, and that is exactly how he has played. He fought through a very difficult third round match against Marin Cilic and then made short work of Igor Andreev in the fourth round. This is his first appearance in the quarterfinals of Wimbledon and he is looking to reach the semis of a Grand Slam for the fourth time in his career.

After dropping the very first set he played at this year’s tournament, Djokovic hasn’t lost one since. He beat unseeded Dudi Sela 6-2, 6-4, 6-1 in the fourth round and is looking to get back to the semis once again. Last time he reached the semifinals of Wimbledon (2007) he was forced to retire with back and foot problems. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen again.

Match-Up:

Djokovic is 2-1 against Haas, but the German just beat him in the finals of Halle on grass right before Wimbledon. Tommy has been with me for close to 20 years and he is like a son to me. He has had many ups and downs in his career, but right now he is playing some of the best tennis of his life. He is coming into the net more than ever and is really serving well. Against Andreev he came in 46 times and won 83% of those points and against Cilic he came in a remarkable 74 times. This is really putting pressure on his opponents and I like this aggressive style from Haas. He also has an excellent biting slice, which can change the pace and keep his opponent off-balance.

On the other side of the net, Djokovic can do a little bit of everything. He can hit it big, he can volley and he can change the pace. He has an excellent serve and also understands how to build and control points. In my opinion, Djokovic needs to find the fire that helped him win the Aussie Open last year. He seems a little too reserved and I think that is hurting him. He needs to let loose and play his game his way.

This match is going to be close. Of course I would love to see Haas win as he is one of my favorite students. On paper you would think that Djokovic has the edge, but with the way Haas is playing and with his confidence I am going to give him the advantage by the slightest of margins.

Nick’s Pick – Haas in 4 or 5 sets

Andy Murray (GBR) vs. Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP)

It was fitting that Andy Murray played the first ever complete match under the new roof at Wimbledon. His five set victory over Stan Wawrinka was extremely difficult and he will have to see how much it takes out of him. It was interesting to see how the ball was slower and the rallies were longer under the lights of the dome and having had this experience should help Murray.

Ferrero is another veteran, like Hewitt, who is enjoying a bit of a renaissance in this tournament. He hasn’t been to the quarters of a Grand Slam in two years and he hasn’t been past this point since the 2004 Australian Open! He’s a former world #1 and a former Grand Slam champion so I don’t think nerves will be a problem here. What he will have to overcome is the British fans!

Match-Up:

Murray is 1-0 against Ferrero and that win came just a couple of weeks ago on grass in the semis of Queen’s Club. Ferrero has had a great career and no one can take that away from him. He moves exceptionally well and hits big from both wings. He is going to have to really go for it in this match with the way Murray is playing. The crowd will also play into this match as they will be rooting for their man, Murray, big time.

Murray’s match against Wawrinka was fantastic and it really demonstrated how far Murray has come physically. He has improved dramatically in this aspect of his game and this has in turn helped his serve and groundstrokes as well. He has also done a much better job of controlling his emotions and letting his game speak for him. I guarantee Murray’s team will not let him overlook this match and I can see Ferrero possibly winning on set, but the edge definitely goes to Murray.

Nick’s Pick – Murray in 3 sets

Every day throughout Wimbledon Nick’s Picks will bring you the latest analysis and predictions. We are also teaming up with The Independent Newspaper in London to cover the event!

Dinara Safina (RUS) vs. Sabine Lisicki (GER)

Safina needed everything she had to beat the former Wimbledon champ, Amelie Mauresmo, in the fourth round. She is now into the quarterfinals of Wimbledon for the first time in her career, and she has advanced to at least the quarters of the last four Grand Slams.

Everyone at the Academy couldn’t be happier for Sabine. She is a great girl with a fantastic attitude and has really worked hard to get to where she is today. She has been training at the Academy for the last four or five years and during that time she has become a top professional. This is her first appearance in the quarterfinals of any Grand Slam, but trust me, she has the talent to keep moving on!

Match-Up:

Lisicki is 1-0 against Safina, with that win coming in the opening round of the 2008 Australian Open. At that time, Safina was #16 in the world and Lisick was #194. Plenty has changed since then, and both have really improved their games. You are going to see a lot of hard-hitting action in this match. Both girls have big-time forehands and backhands and really play aggressively. I think for Lisicki to win she is going to have to hit get her monster first serve in and then put the ball away quickly. The longer the rallies and the match goes, the more it favors Safina. The Russian has been on this stage before and that experience should help her. This match could go either way depending on who is getting their first serve in and who is able to control the points. I like Lisicki early and then Safina if it goes long.

Nick’s Pick – Lisicki in 2, Safina in 3 sets

Venus Williams (USA) vs. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL)

Venus advanced to the quarterfinals for the third straight year and for the 10^th time in her illustrious career when Ana Ivanovic retired in the second set. There is no question that Venus is the favorite to win this tournament, but the one thing that must hold up is her knee which seems to be giving her a little trouble.

Radwanska ended the dream run of American Melanie Oudin 6-4, 7-5 to reach the quarters for the second consecutive year. Radwanska has never been to the semifinals of any Grand Slam and beating Venus here would clearly be one of the biggest victories of her career.

Match-Up:

Venus is 3-1 against Radwanska and has beaten her twice already this year (once on clay and once on the hard court). What makes Radwanska so good is her ability to cover the court and make very few unforced errors. She keeps the ball in play and is like a brick wall on the baseline. Her biggest vulnerability is her second serve. It clocks in around 65mph and can and will be attacked by Venus. Look for Ms. Williams to pounce on the weak serve and keep Radwanska on the defensive throughout the match. Venus is always comfy on the grass, she is confident she can win, and right now she isn’t making many forehand errors. That is a recipe for great success!

Nick’s Pick – V. Williams in 2 sets

Elena Dementieva (RUS) vs. Francesca Schiavone (ITA)

Dementieva has yet to drop a set in any of her matches this year and she has gone relatively quietly through the draw. She beat fellow Russian Elena Vesnina 6-1, 6-3 to reach the quarterfinals and is looking to get back into the semis for the second straight year.

Schiavone is in the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam for only the third time in her career. In fact, at Wimbledon she had never even been past the third round previous to this year. She has played well though, taking out Aleksandra Wozniak, Michelle de Brito, Marion Bartoli and Virginie Razzano en route to this match.

Match-Up:

Dementieva and Schiavone are 4-4 against each other, but they haven’t grass and haven’t played since last year. Schiavone is tricky because she isn’t a big girl, but she certainly has the ability to take it to her opponent. She is crafty with the ball and knows how to keep you off-guard. Against Dementieva that might not be enough though, especially with the improved Dementieva serve. I look for the Russian to pound the groundies from both sides and use her excellent movement to keep Schiavone pinned behind the baseline.

Nick’s Pick – Dementieva in 3 sets

Victoria Azarenka (BLR) vs. Serena Williams (USA)

Azarenka toughed out a three-set battle over Nadia Petrova in the fourth round to reach the quarterfinals for the first time at Wimbledon. This is her second consecutive Grand Slam quarter, and she is looking for her first Grand Slam semi. Right now she is the odds-makers third choice after each of the Williams’ sisters. She could become the second option with a win here.

Serena has stated numerous times that she thinks she should have won more than two Wimbledon titles at this point in her career. She looks more determined than ever and is playing some of the best tennis I have ever seen from her. She hasn’t lost a set in this year’s tournament, but Azarenka might have something to say about that.

Match-Up:

Serena is 2-1 against Azarenka and they have split two matches thus far in 2009. I know one thing is for sure, Serena will not forget the loss she incurred to Azarenka in the finals at Miami earlier this year. I know I wouldn’t want to be on the other side of the net when Serena comes out on court! Serena is playing more intelligent tennis right now than she has been in the past. She isn’t trying to win the point right away, rather she is building points while constantly attacking. This philosophy will pay handsome dividends as she continues to progress through the tournament. Azarenka knows she can beat Serena and with that knowledge and experience she should be confident heading into this match. I can’t say I would be surprised if Azarenka won, but I have to give the edge to Serena.

Nick’s Pick – S. Williams in 3 sets

Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy student Ryan Harrison

Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy student, American Ryan Harrison, won his first career men’s pro title over the weekend! Harrison, 17, won the $15,000 ITF Men’s Futures in Chico, California. He entered the tournmanet unseeded and ranked #993 in the world and won all five of his matches without dropping a set. It was also a great tournament for fellow NBTA student, Filip Krajinovic, who is also 17 years old. Krajinovic reached the finals before falling to Harrison 6-3, 6-4. For more information on the tournament and the finals check out this great article.

Congrats to both boys on a great tournament and good luck in the next one!

Every day throughout Wimbledon Nick’s Picks will bring you the latest analysis and predictions. We are also teaming up with The Independent Newspaper in London to cover the event!

Dinara Safina (RUS) vs. Amelie Mauresmo (FRA)

Safina has reached the fourth round of Wimbledon for the first time in her career and she has done so without dropping a set. Despite being the #1 player in the world, Safina is still looking for her first Grand Slam victory and she would love to get it on the hallowed grounds of Wimbledon.

Mauresmo, a former Wimbledon champion, beat 15^th-seeded Flavia Pennetta 7-5, 6-3 to reach the fourth round. This is the first time she has been to the fourth round of a Grand Slam since the 2008 US Open, and she hasn’t been past this point in any Grand Slam since the 2006 US Open when she advanced to the semifinals!

Match-Up:

Mauresmo is 4-2 against Safina, but the Russian did win their last match at Moscow in 2008. There has been absolutely no talk about Mauresmo and that is what makes this match interesting, because we all know she can win it if her nerves hold up. She definitely plays with more versatility than Safina, but what will hurt her is Safina’s strength. Safina has to control her emotions and not let Mauresmo get into her head. If she does that and plays too her strengths I have to give the Russian the edge.

Nick’s Pick – Safina in 3 sets

Venus Williams (USA) vs. Ana Ivanovic (SRB)

What can I say? When Venus gets on grass she is a different player. Like Federer, she is looking for her sixth title here and she is also the two-time defending champion. Beating Venus on grass is similar to taking down Nadal on clay – it is extremely difficult to do!

Since winning the 2008 French Open, Ivanovic hasn’t looked like the same player. She hasn’t been past the fourth round in any Grand Slam since last year’s Roland Garros and has seen her ranking fall from #1 to #12. Winning this match would be the biggest thing for her since that title.

Match-Up:

Venus is 5-1 against Ivanovic and beat her in the semis of Wimbledon in straight sets back in 2007. I definitely believe that Ivanovic is playing a bit better than she has been for much of the last year. She seems more confident and more determined. However, Venus will keep her on the defensive throughout the match and will move her around the court. Ivanovic will have to gamble and take chances, because that is the only way to beat Venus on grass. The one thing Venus has to watch out for is errors from the forehand side. If she keeps those down and serves well, she will win.

Nick’s Pick – V. Williams in 3 sets

Elena Dementieva (RUS) vs. Elena Vesnina (RUS)

Dementieva is a player that is flying under the radar a bit, and she is more than capable of winning this tournament. She hasn’t lost a set in her three matches and has been to the semifinals here before. In her last four Grand Slams she has been to the semis three times.

Vesnina picked up a good win over French Open semifinalist Dominika Cibulkova in the third round and is into the fourth round of a Grand Slam for only the second time in her career. She has never been to the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam in singles, but in doubles she did reach the finals of the 2009 French Open.

Match-Up:

Dementieva is 2-0 against her fellow Russian and she beat her earlier this year at Auckland in straight sets. In the battle of Russian Elena’s, it is Dementieva who has had much more experience on the bigger stage. She is very steady, has fantastic groundstrokes, moves exceptionally well, and the serve is improved. When you add up all that with her experience, she definitely has the edge in this match.

Nick’s Pick – Dementieva in 2 sets

Victoria Azarenka (BLR) vs. Nadia Petrova (RUS)

Petrova knocked out Gisela Dulko in the third round and is looking to reach the quarterfinals at Wimbledon for the third time in her career. She has dealt with injuries for some of her career, which has held her back, but when she is healthy and playing well she is very tough to beat.

Azarenka has had her best year on the tour to date and comes in ranked #8 in the world. She’s already won three titles, including a big-time win over Serena Williams in the finals at Miami. She is still looking for her first Grand Slam title, but if she continues to play like she has been she is definitely a contender in every tournament she enters.

Match-Up:

Petrova is 2-1 against Azarenka and did beat her last year at Wimbledon in two tiebreak sets. This is going to be a battle. Both of these women are strong, fight like dogs, and refuse to lose. Both are big girls with powerful groundies and good serves. This match could really go either way; it really depends on the unforced errors of Azarenka. She has a tendency now and then to lose her focus and make too many errors. If she does this, then Petrova will pounce. On the other hand, I feel Azarenka also has the ability to keep Petrova backed up and on the defensive if she is playing well. I give a slight edge to Azarenka, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Petrova came out as the victor.

Nick’s Pick – Azarenka in 3 sets

Every day throughout Wimbledon Nick’s Picks will bring you the latest analysis and predictions. We are also teaming up with The Independent Newspaper in London to cover the event!

Roger Federer (SUI) vs. Robin Soderling (SWE)

Federer dropped a set in his last win over German Philipp Kohlschreiber, but I don’t think that is a negative sign at all. He seems comfortable and confident and that is not good for everyone else in the tournament. In my mind, Federer is the favorite to win his sixth Wimbledon title.

On the heels of his amazing run to the finals of the French Open, Soderling advanced to the fourth round of Wimbledon for the first time in his career. In his first two matches at this year’s tournament he dropped the opening set, but he found a way to come back and get the win in four sets each time.

Match-Up:

Federer is 10-0 against Soderling and just beat him in the finals of the French Open a couple of weeks ago. Not only has Federer won all 10 matches they have played, he has never even dropped a set to the Swede! I think the stage of being in the finals of the French Open really got to Soderling and I believe he will have a better showing in this match. Soderling is aggressive, takes the ball early and will come in some. He has excellent groundstrokes from both sides and can win free points with his serve as well. Having said that, Federer definitely has the advantage in just about every category. He is in the groove and feeling confident and I don’t seem him losing this match.

Nick’s Pick – Federer in 4 sets

Andy Roddick (USA) vs. Tomas Berdych (CZE)

Roddick defeated a difficult opponent in Jugen Melzer in the third round to advance to the fourth round for the fifth time in his career. Roddick isn’t getting much press over in England, but as a two-time runner up you can never overlook his chances on the grass. I wouldn’t be surprised if he came out of his side of the draw.

Berdych hasn’t had the year he is capable of, as he came into Wimbledon with a 16-13 record, but so far he has yet to drop a set in this tournament. He defeated Russian Nikolay Davydenko in the third round rather routinely, which is something that is very hard to do because Davydenko is a pillar of consistency.

Match-Up:

Roddick and Berdych have split the four matches they have played against each other, with Berdych winning their last match-up (Tokyo 2008). This will be a very interesting match because Berdych is playing very well right now and should be full of confidence. This match comes down to Roddick’s serve. He has been serving excellently and if he continues that he has the edge. If the serve falters at all then Berdych will be right there to take advantage of it. I give Roddick the edge, but this could be close.

Nick’s Pick – Roddick in 4 or even 5 sets

Tommy Haas (GER) vs. Igor Andreev (RUS)

I was so happy to see my Tommy Haas come through the third round with an unbeilvable win over Marin Cilic. It looked like Haas was going to win so many times, but Cilic kept fighting. At 6-6 in the fifth, the match was suspended due to darkness on Friday and then Haas came out on Saturday and won it 10-8 in the fifth set! He is now into the fourth round for the second time in his career and is looking for his first Wimbledon quarterfinal appearance.

Andreev beat Italian Andreas Seppi in four sets to advance to the fourth round of Wimbledon for the first time in his career. Andreev has been to one Grand Slam quarterfinal and that came back at the 2007 French Open.

Match-Up:

Andreev is 1-0 against Haas, with that win coming two years ago on clay in the Davis Cup. Andreev is a strong, solid baseliner with a big serve. His forehand and backhand are extremely strong and he isn’t afraid to take chances. On the other side, Haas plays with a bit more versatility and will come in whenever he gets the chance. When Haas has confidence, which he does now, he is very tough to beat. I look for Haas to continue serving well and mixing up his groundstrokes and that will be the difference in this match.

Nick’s Pick – Haas in 4 sets

Andy Murray (GBR) vs. Stan Wawrinka (SUI)

Much to the delight of the British fans, Murray has looked extremely good in his last two victories. After breezing by Ernests Gulbis (and committing only five unforced errors), Murray beat Viktor Troicki easily 6-2, 6-3, 6-4. He is looking to get back to the quarterfinals for the second straight year and hopefully for the fans he will go even further!

Wawrinka took down American Jesse Levin (who has spent many years at the Academy) 5-7, 7-5, 6-3, 6-3 to reach the fourth round for the second consecutive year. A win here would put Wawrinka in the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career and if he does that he will be the most hated man in England!!

Match-Up:

Murray is 4-3 against Wawrinka and has beaten him the last two times they have played. Wawrinka is a big buy who hits the ball with a good deal of power from both sides. He has a very good serve and also covers the court well. Against Murray he is going to have to take some risks, because Murray is great a neutralizing his opponent’s weapons and is playing more offensively than in the past. Murray also can play with great variety and his serve is as good as it ever has been. When you combine all that with the support of the fans, I just think it is going to be too much for Wawrinka.

Nick’s Pick – Murray in 4 sets

Every day throughout Wimbledon Nick’s Picks will bring you the latest analysis and predictions. We are also teaming up with The Independent Newspaper in London to cover the event. For the first week, we are coming to you live from Wimbledon so be sure to check our twitter page for information!

Jelena Jankovic (SRB) vs. Melanie Oudin (USA)

Jankovic hasn’t dropped a set in her two matches yet and I’m hoping that is a good sign for things to come in the next week. She is working with a former student of mine, Chip Hooper, and he has a very mellow personality which is a good thing for Jelena. Don’t count her out, especially if she finds the groove that she has been missing throughout 2009.

Oudin is a young American with plenty of potential. She is a former top junior who is just now breaking into the pro ranks. This is her third Grand Slam appearance and it is the first time she has made it out of the opening round. The future is bright for Oudin and be sure to keep an eye on her.

Match-Up:

This is the first career meeting between Oudin and Jankovic. Oudin is not a big girl (only 5’6”), but she covers the court extremely well and gets a lot of power out of her small frame. As you know, Jankovic is one of the best movers on the WTA tour, she has a fantastic two-handed backhand, and she knows how to win. Jankovic doesn’t want this match to go three sets, because any confidence that she gives to Oudin will not help. Look for Jankovic to take control of the points early and never let up. This is a big stage for Oudin and that might also catch up to her.

Nick’s Pick – Jankovic in 2 sets

Venus Williams (USA) vs. Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP)

The five-time Wimbledon champion, Williams, has looked nothing short of spectacular in her first two matches. She loves playing on the grass and is without a doubt one of the favorites to win this tournament.

This is Suarez Navarro’s first appearance in the third round of Wimbledon and she has a knack for winning big matches. She has been to two Grand Slam quarterfinals in her career, but this would be a big, big win for her!

Match-Up:

Suarez Navarro is 1-0 against Venus and that win came back at the beginning of the year in the Australian Open. Suarez Navarro has an excellent one-handed backhand and also tremendous footwork. The problem I see is that with the relentless groundstrokes of Venus her one-handed backhand might break down under the pressure. Also, with Venus’ ability to gracefully cover the court and with her wingspan she is incredibly difficult to beat on grass.

Nick’s Pick – V. Williams in 2 sets

Nadia Petrova (RUS) vs. Gisela Dulko (ARG)

Petrova was able to make quick work of a tough opponent – Shahar Peer – in the second round. That is an excellent sign for Petrova, because when she is playing well she is one of the best in the world. She can be streaky, so watch out right now!

Dulko knocked out 2004 champion Maria Sharapova in the second round, surprising all of the fans and the British press. Dulko has become a media darling across the pond, but we will now have to see how she handles that pressure.  

Match-Up:

Dulko and Petrova are 2-2 against each other, with Dulko winning their only match on grass (back in 2005). Petrova is strong, moves well, and has a big game. She is a veteran and knows how to handle herself on the court. She plays an aggressive game and really takes it to her opponent. Dulko is an excellent mover and covers the court extremely well. What she lacks is the experience of playing in these types of matches. She has only been to the fourth round of a Grand Slam one time and that might hurt her in a match against a difficult opponent.

Nick’s Pick – Petrova in 3 sets

Vera Zvonareva (RUS) vs. Virginie Razzano (FRA)

Zvonareva is still coming back from an injury that kept her out of play for a couple of months. After a tough first round match, Zvonareva came back and won her second round battle in just 85 minutes. She is looking to get into the fourth round at Wimbledon for the third time in her career.

Razzano has only lost four games in her two matches which is a great indicator of how well she is playing. The 26-year old Frenchwoman comes in ranked a career high of #23 in the world, and she is looking to get into the fourth round of Wimbledon for the first time.

Match-Up:

Razzano is 4-2 against Zvonareva and has beaten her twice already this year (once was because Zvonareva had to retire due to injury). Razzano is a crafty veteran with very solid groundstrokes. She can play all over the court and isn’t afraid of anyone. Zvonareva is one of the best movers on the tour, has fantastic groundstrokes, and competes extremely hard. Sometimes she can lose her temperament and that hurts her. If she is healthy and focused, I look for her to advance.

Nick’s Pick – Zvonareva in 2 sets

Every day throughout Wimbledon Nick’s Picks will bring you the latest analysis and predictions. We are also teaming up with The Independent Newspaper in London to cover the event. For the first week, we are coming to you live from Wimbledon so be sure to check our twitter page for information!

Andy Roddick (USA) vs. Jurgen Melzer (AUT)

Roddick has flown under the radar a bit in the first two rounds, but the American is playing excellent tennis. The two-time finalist is definitely a contender for the title and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him playing on the last weekend.

Melzer has never been past the third round of any of the four Grand Slams. He has yet to drop a set in the first two rounds, but there was some talk in the British papers about a betting scandal surrounding his first round win over Wayne Odesnik. He cannot let that bother him otherwise he will be in trouble.

Match-Up:

Roddick is 8-0 against Melzer, but the two have never met on grass. In those eight matches, Roddick has lost a combined two sets to Melzer and those both came in a five-set battle they had in last year’s Davis Cup. Melzer has excellent groundstrokes and a very solid serve. He covers the court well and is a dangerous opponent. Roddick seems to be playing some of the best tennis of his life. Working with Larry Stefanki has been a big plus for him as Roddick seems very cool, calm and collected. The big thing with Roddick is that he is hitting the backhand much better and isn’t running around hitting low-percentage forehand shots. This match will be determined by the serve and if Roddick continues to serve well, the edge goes to him.

Nick’s Pick – Roddick in 4 sets

Andy Murray (GBR) vs. Viktor Troicki (SRB)

Murray played close to a perfect match in his second round win over Ernests Gulbis. He had only five unforced errors, didn’t get broken once, got 73% of his first serves in, and won over 40% of the points on Gulbis’ serve. All in all, the British fans couldn’t have asked for a better match from their great hope!

Troicki has worked his way diligently up the rankings and comes in at a career high of #31 in the world. He is still looking for his first appearance in the second week of a Grand Slam and beating Murray would sure put a damper on things if you are British!!

Match-Up:

Murray is 2-0 against Troicki, with one of those wins coming earlier this year in Miami. Every aspect of Troicki’s game is big. He has a sonic serve, killer forehand, and a good backhand. Having said that, one of Murray’s best assets is his ability to neutralize the power of his opponents. You saw him do this against Gulbis and you will see him do it against Troicki. I definitely think Troicki is talented enough to win a set and push Murray, but in the end Murray just has too much game for the Serb. Murray can play with so much variety that it makes it difficult for his opponents to get comfortable and this works to his advantage very well.

Nick’s Pick – Murray in 4 sets

Tommy Haas (GER) vs. Marin Cilic (CRO)

Haas got what was essentially a walkover in the second round when Michael Llodra took a nasty spill early in the first set. He showed great sportsmanship by then inviting the ball kids on the court and hitting with them. It was a great moment for all the fans in the stadium and watching on television.

Cilic moved into the third round with a thrilling five-set victory over American Sam Querrey. A win here would put him into the fourth round of Wimbledon for the second consecutive year. He is still looking for his first Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance.

Match-Up:

This is the first career meeting between Cilic and Haas. In the second round, Cilic looked to be favoring his knee. He was definitely struggling against Querrey and that isn’t a good sign going into this match against a confident and talented Haas. Cilic is a big boy with a sonic serve and fantastic groundstrokes. I wouldn’t say that grass is his best surface, but at the same time he is more than capable of winning on it. On the other side, Haas is extremely confident and should be well-rested after not having to play much in the second round. He is serving well, coming into the net more often than in the past, and mixing his shots beautifully. This will be a great match, and I have to give a slight edge to my student, Tommy Haas.

Nick’s Pick – Haas in 4 sets

Ivo Karlovic (CRO) vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA)

Karlovic has yet to drop a set in the championships and grass is without a doubt his best surface. This is the only Grand Slam he has been past the fourth round of, and if he could get there again perhaps that would help him turn this year around.

Tsonga received a walkover in the second round so he is going to be pumped and raring to go. He didn’t play in Wimbledon last year because of an injury, but he did reach the fourth round back in 2007. I think a loss here would definitely be a disappointment for the Frenchman.

Match-Up:

This is the first career match between these two big guys and promises to be an exciting one. Both players have huge serves, but when Karlovic is serving well there is no one better. Tsonga is definitely the better mover of the two and has a much stronger backhand. However, Karlovic’s backhand slice is very dangerous on the grass and can cause his opponent many problems. This match will be determined by Karlovic’s serve plain and simple. If he gets his first serve in and can win a lot of free points than he has the edge. If Tsonga is able to return the serve and attack than he has the edge. The longer this match goes the more it favors Tsonga and for Karlovic to win he is going to need to do it quickly. I have to give the edge to Tsonga because he is a better all-around player, but don’t be surprised if Karlovic pulls off the upset.

Nick’s Pick – Tsonga in 4 sets

Nick has been given two clinics so far in England (one in Cambridge at the David Lloyd Club and one at Halton Tennis Center outside of London). We have also been watching matches at Wimbledon and seeing a bit of the sites. To see all of the photos check out our Flickr page!

Every day throughout Wimbledon Nick’s Picks will bring you the latest analysis and predictions. We are also teaming up with The Independent Newspaper in London to cover the event. For the first week, we are coming to you live from Wimbledon so be sure to check our twitter page for information!

Dinara Safina (RUS) vs. Rossana De Los Rios (PAR)

Safina moved through the first round, but it wasn’t as easy as I am sure she would have liked. Nonetheless, winning your first round match is sometimes one of the most difficult things to do. Now that she has that out of the way, she can focus on the task at hand which is winning her maiden Grand Slam title.

De Los Rios defeated NBTA student Nicole Vaidisova in three sets in the first round. She has never been past the second round of Wimbledon, but did reach the fourth round of the French Open previously. She comes in ranked #100 in the world, but was as high as #51.

Match-Up:

Safina is 1-0 against De Los Rios, but that match came all the way back in 2003 when Safina was only 17 years old. Six years later, Safina is the #1 player in the world and is still looking for her first Grand Slam title. There may be no one on the WTA tour that is in better shape than Safina physically. She needs to believe in her head that she is the #1 player in the world and that will really help her. She is as strong as anybody, hits her groundstrokes as well as anybody and moves as well as anybody. Once she believes in herself 100%, watch out! De Los Rios moves great around the court and has solid groundstrokes from both sides, but nothing spectacular. I look for Safina to advance and hopefully she will also demonstrate what it takes to win a Grand Slam title!

Nick’s Pick – Safina in 2 sets

Sabine Lisicki (GER) vs. Patricia Mayr (AUT)

Safina picked up a big win in the first round over 32^nd seeded Anna Chakvetadze. Lisicki won 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-2 and is into the second round of Wimbledon for the first time in her young career. The 19-year old Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy student is one of the bright up-and-coming stars on the tour and you should definitely get out and watch her!

Mayr took down the top British woman, Anne Keothavong, in straight sets in the first round. She is making her inaugural appearance at Wimbledon and comes in ranked #80 in the world. A win here would put her in the second round of a Grand Slam for only the second time in her career.

Match-Up:

This is the first career meeting between Mayr and Lisicki. Mayr has solid groundstrokes from both sides and hits the backhand quite flat. She has a very good forehand, but overall she lacks consistency. Lisicki plays a very big game. She has a huge serve and killer forehand. Sometimes, when she gets excited, she tends to over-hit her shots on both sides and commits to many errors. If her first serve is on, she will win without a doubt. If she struggles serving and starts feeling the pressure with her groundies she could be in trouble. I love working with Sabine at the Academy because she has a great attitude every day and her father/coach is such a great guy who is very open to advice and working with us. I look for Sabine to advance, but this could go three.

Nick’s Pick – Lisicki in 3 sets

Nadia Petrova (RUS) vs. Shahar Peer (ISR)

Petrova needed just 46 minutes to dispense of Anastasia Yakimova in the first round. Petrova won 6-1, 6-1 and broke Yakimova six times in seven chances. She is a two-time Wimbledon quarterfinalist and I think she can get back there again this year.

Peer defeated Maria Elena Camerin 6-2, 7-6(3), and is looking to get back to the fourth round of Wimbledon for the second consecutive year. Her ranking has fallen down to #55 in the world, 40 spots lower than her career high of #15 (which came back in 2007).

Match-Up:

Petrova in 3-0 against Peer and actually beat her on grass last year at Eastbourne. Both of these girls are extremely competitive and fight for every point. Petrova has a big game, she’s a veteran, and she understands what it takes to win. Peer was once thought of as a one of the best up-and-comers in the world, but she has definitely fallen short of those expectations. She needs a big tournament to regain her confidence, and there is no better time than now. Both girls are disciplined, but I feel Petrova is a bit more consistent and has too much firepower for Peer. Petrova’s ability to hit penetrating balls constantly will be the difference in this match.

Nick’s Pick – Petrova in 3 sets

Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) vs. Urszula Radwanska (POL)

Cibulkova comes in ranked a career high of #13 in the world after a great run to the semifinals of the French Open. This is only her second appearance at Wimbledon, having never gotten past the first round previously. She defeated Julie Coin in the first round in a tough three setter and she is going to need more than 15 winners to beat Radwanska.

Many people know Urszula’s older sister, Agnieszka, but the younger Radwanska is making a name for herself as well. At the age of 18, she is one of the younger players ranked in the top 100 and checks in at a career high of #71 in the world. A win here would put her in the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career.

Match-Up:

This is the first career meeting between these two youngsters and promises to be an exciting one. Standing at only 5’3”, Cibulkova is a little spit-fire out on the course. She moves exceptionally well and gets a lot of power from such a small frame. She is brimming with confidence after the French Open and seems to be really coming into her own. Radwanska plays aggressive tennis and is not afraid to put pressure on her opponent. She is still young and has to learn what it takes to win consistently on the tour. I think she could win this match, but I give the edge to Cibulkova because of her experience and her confidence.

Nick’s Pick – Cibulkova in 3 sets

Every day throughout Wimbledon Nick’s Picks will bring you the latest analysis and predictions. We are also teaming up with The Independent Newspaper in London to cover the event. For the first week, we are coming to you live from Wimbledon so be sure to check our twitter page for information!

Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) vs. Victor Crivoi (ROU)

Not many people are talking about Davydenko and that shouldn’t come as a big surprise, because this stoic Russian always seems to fly under the radar. He has not had much success at Wimbledon in the past, with the exception of a fourth round appearance back in 2007. He is capable of more and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him around late next week.

Crivoi beat German Bjorn Phau in five sets in the first round and comes in ranked a career high of #87 in the world. This is his first appearance in the main draw of Wimbledon and would love to become a household name overnight by beating a top player like Davydenko.

Match-Up:

This is the first career meeting between Davydenko and Crivoi. Davydenko clearly has the edge here, but with his prior experience at Wimbledon not being the best, you never know. Crivoi has to go for his shots because Davydenko doesn’t commit many errors and is extremely consistent. Look for Davydenko use his outstanding two-handed backhand and take the ball early to control the court. I am interested to see how Davydenko fares in this match and I hope he gets down to business from the first ball.

Nick’s Pick – Davydenko in 3 sets

Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) vs. Lleyton Hewitt (AUS)

Del Potro made quick work of French veteran Arnaud Clement and now he gets another tough veteran in Hewitt. He is looking to get past the second round of Wimbledon for the first time in his career, and in reality I would be very surprised if he wasn’t around next week.

Hewitt didn’t need much time with American Robby Ginepri in the opening round, taking down the American 6-4, 6-1, 6-1. He is a former Wimbledon champion and world #1, but he isn’t that guy anymore. With that being said, I love the way Hewitt competes every time he steps on the court.

Match-Up:

Del Potro and Hewitt have never met prior to this match. The reason why Hewitt got to #1 in the world was his movement. He could cover the court better than anyone, but with the injuries he has sustained that isn’t possible anymore. That’s really a shame because Hewitt gave it his all when he was out on the court. Del Potro is a very good mover for his height and has a monster serve. He also has excellent groundstrokes and anticipates very well. All in all, he is one of the best players in the game today and after Federer I put him in the next group of potential winners. This will be a fun match, but the edge definitely goes to Del Potro.

Nick’s Pick – Del Potro in 4 sets

Robin Soderling (SWE) vs. Marcel Granollers (ESP)

Everyone is interested to see how Soderling does after his remarkable run to the finals of the French Open. So far, so good. He faced a tricky opponent in the first round – Gilles Muller- and was able to get by him in four sets. Soderling has never been past the third round of Wimbledon, but that might change this year.

Granollers defeated German Andreas Beck in four sets in the first round. He has never been past the 2^nd round of any Grand Slam in his career, so this win would be one of the best he has had.

Match-Up:

Soderling is 1-0 against Granollers, with that win coming earlier this year on clay in Rome. Soderling is a good grass court player because he has the ability to take the ball early, on the rise, and catch his opponent off-guard. He has excellent groundstrokes from both sides, a good serve, and moves well. Granollers has had most of his success on clay, winning one singles title and two doubles titles. He strikes the ball and covers the court extremely well, although it won’t be enough in this match. Look for Soderling to control the court and use his aggressive attacking style to keep Granollers on his heels.

Nick’s Pick – Soderling in 4 sets

Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. Simon Greul (GER)

Djokovic didn’t seem comfortable in his opening round win over Julien Benneteau, and he hasn’t really seemed like the Djokovic of old recently. Perhaps he can regain some of that swagger with a couple of good wins. He reached the semis here backing 2007, but lost in the second round last year to Marat Safin.

Greul defeated American Michael Yani in straight sets in the first round. He came through the qualifying rounds and is playing in only his second Wimbledon. The 28-year old German is currently ranked #106 in the world but has been as high as #75.

Match up:

Djokovic and Greul have never met in an ATP level match, but back in 2005 they did play in a Challenger with Djokovic winning in straight sets. We all know what Djokovic is capable of when playing his best. He has an all-court game and can hit just about any shot from anywhere on the court. He has a great serve, fantastic movement, and knows how to win. To me, he needs to lighten up a little bit and play looser. A couple of years ago, Djokovic was known more as “Joke-avic” and he was playing well. Now, he is very serious and doesn’t seem to be playing as well as he used. Perhaps he needs to find his old self again. Regardless of that, he will get through this match. I am just worried about down the road a bit.

Nick’s Pick – Djokovic in 3 sets