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

Schiavone made history on Tuesday as she became the first Italian woman in the Open Era to reach the semis of a Grand Slam! She beat third-seeded Caroline Wozniacki 6-2, 6-3 and is now one win away from reaching her first Grand Slam final. She had been to the quarters of the French Open back in 2001 as well as the quarters of Wimbledon in 2009 and the US Open in 2003.

Dementieva eliminated Nadia Petrova 2-6, 6-2, 6-0 in the quarters to reach the semis of a Grand Slam for the ninth time in her career. She was a finalist at the French Open back in 2004, which also was the same year she reached the finals of the US Open. Many consider Dementieva the best woman to have never won a Grand Sla, so now would be a great opportunity to change that!

Match-Up:

Dementieva is 6-4 against Schiavone and did beat her earlier this year at Sydney in straight sets. Their one meeting on clay came back in 2005 at the Fed Cup and Dementieva won that in three sets. Being an Italian, I couldn’t be prouder to see Schiavone get this far. She could definitely teach the Italian men on the tour a thing or two! Schiavone is a fighter to the bitter end, she never gives up and she’s a stone face out on the court. She is a good clay-courter and full capable of taking out Dementieva. The longer this match goes on, the more it favors Dementieva. She makes her opponents hit so many extra balls that it wears them down (especially on the clay) and because of this she is extremely tough to beat. Her serve is a weakness, but I don’t think it’s weak enough to hurt her in this match. This will be one heck of a match, but I give a slight advantage to Dementieva.

Nick’s Pick – Dementieva in 3 sets

Sam Stosur (AUS) vs. Jelena Jankovic (SRB)

You have to give a ton of credit to Stosur for her win over Serena in the quarters. After winning the first set, she was up 5-3 in the second and couldn’t close her out. At that point, I know most people thought Serena would come back and win that match, but Stosur came up with the big shots and pulled it out. This is her second straight appearance in the semis of the French Open and she is looking to reach her first Grand Slam singles final.

Jankovic, who is traveling with IMG Bollettieri coach Chip Brooks, beat Yaroslava Shvedova in straight sets and she has only lost one set in the entire tournament (second round to Kaia Kanepi). This is her third appearance in the semis of the French Open and a win here would put her in the finals of a Grand Slam for the second time in her career.

Match-Up:

Jankovic is 3-1 against Stosur, and they have played twice already this year. Jankovic won the first encounter at Indian Wells and then lost the second one at Miami. This will be their first career meeting on clay. This is going to be one heck of a match between two girls that are both playing fantastic tennis. What makes the difference for Stosur is that she is physically fit. I cannot stress how important this is on the tennis court! Her athleticism is off the wall and this is why she is still playing. Stosur’s serve, especially the kick serve, has been great and Jankovic will have to return really well to stay in this match. I look for Jankovic to try and pin Stosur in the corner and then use the open court to go for winners. Jankovic has to catch the ball early and she cannot get stuck behind the baseline. I give a slight edge to Jankovic because of her experience in these situations, but this could go either way!

Nick’s Pick – Jankovic in 3 sets

Dementieva made quick work of Petra Martic in the opening round, taking the Croat down 6-1, 6-1. I am sure Dementieva is feeling good because she doesn’t have to play Justine Henin in the second round! She had to play her at the Australian Open and the Sony Ericsson Open in the second round and lost both of those matches. She was a finalist here back in 2004 but hasn’t been past the quarterfinals since.

Media Garrigues took out young American Melanie Oudin 7-5, 6-2 in the first round and is a good clay court player. She reached the semis at Strasbourg last week (before falling to Sharapova) and advanced to the fourth round at the French back in 2007. She’s currently ranked #43 in the world but was as high as #16 last May.

Match-Up:

Dementieva is 3-1 against Medina Garrigues and beat her last year on the hard courts of Dubai. Medina Garrigues grew up playing on clay all the time and she is very comfortable on the surface. Her best Grand Slam results have been at the French Open and she is not an easy out. I don’t think Dementieva’ serve is going to hurt her in this match. Her groundstrokes are some of the best on tour and everyone knows how well she moves. If Medina Garrigues is able to keep her off-balance then she could be in trouble, but I believe that Dementieva has too many weapons.

Nick’s Pick – Dementieva in 2 sets

Nadia Petrova (RUS) vs. Agnes Szavay (HUN)

Petrova dispensed of Shuai Peng 6-0, 6-3 in the first round and is a two-time semifinalist at the French. She’s currently ranked #20 in the world and has been to the quarterfinals of the last three clay court tournaments she played in this year (Charleston, Rome and Madrid).

Szavay beat Stephanie Foretz 6-2, 6-2 in the first round and is trying to get back to the fourth round for the second straight year. She comes into the tournament ranked #47 in the world, but was as high as #13 back in April of 2008.

Match-Up:

Szavay is 1-0 against Petrova with that win coming back in 2007 at the US Open. Petrova is a big girl but she moves well and knows how to win on clay. She spent some time at the Academy in the past and I’ve enjoyed working with her. Petrova will play an aggressive game and will not back down from anyone. At the same time, Szavay is a tough competitor who has the tools to win, but she hasn’t been able to put it together on the big stage. I look for Petrova to win in two close sets.

Nick’s Pick – Petrova in 2 sets

Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) vs. Ana Ivanovic (SRB)

Kleybanova comes into the French ranked #28 in the world and had an easy win over Mariya Koryttseva in the first round. This is her third appearance at the French Open and the second time she has been past the first round.

Since winning the French Open back in 2008, Ivanovic hasn’t been past the fourth round of any Grand Slam tournament. Her ranking has fallen to #42 in the world and she has changed coaches a couple of times. She is definitely going through a rough patch, but we all know what she is capable of producing. It will be interesting to see over the next six months to see how she plays.

Match-Up:

Kleybanova is 2-1 against Ivanovic and beat her earlier this year in the Fed Cup. The game of tennis needs Ana Ivanovic to play well, but she hasn’t been able to get back to the same place she was in June of 2008. I enjoy watching her play and still think she has what it takes to compete at the Grand Slam level. Kleybanova is built like a tank, but for her size she covers the court well and she has great power. This match could really go either way, but I have to give a slight edge to Kleybanova because of how they have played in 2010, but it’s going to be close.

Nick’s Pick – Kleybanova in 3 sets

Venus has had great success in Miami throughout her career, winning the title three times and reaching the semis three other times. With sister Serena out due to an injury, Venus is left to carry the torch for the Williams’. I definitely feel she is one of the favorites to win the tournament along with Jelena Jankovic who is coming off of a title at Indian Wells.

Cirstea picked up a win over Michelle Larcher de Brito in the opening round, beating the up-and-coming Portuguese woman 7-5, 7-6(9). This was her first career victory at Miami, and she is definitely a young woman on the rise.

Match-up:

This is the first career meeting between Cirstea and Venus. Cirstea is extremely consistent from both the forehand and backhand side and really can pound the ball. She moves well and is comfortable at the net. There is plenty of pressure on Venus to make a deep run and vie for the title and it will be interesting to see how she handles that throughout the tournament. Venus is one of the few players on the tour that can cover every single inch of the tennis court. She has one of, if not, the biggest serves and she will not let Cirstea off the hook at any point. The balls are bouncing high down in Miami and I feel Venus will move forward, take some balls out of the air and put them away whenever possible. Cirstea has enough firepower to make this interesting, but in the end I see Venus advancing.

Nick’s Pick – V. Williams in 2 sets

Sabine Lisicki (GER) vs. Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ)

Lisicki, an IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy student, comes into the tournament ranked #26 in the world. She received a bye in the opening round and is coming off an injury that forced her to retire in her second round match at Indian Wells. She had a nice run to the fourth round of Miami back in 2008, where she beat 5^th seeded Anna Chakvetadze before losing to Elena Dementieva.

Shvedova beat Ajla Tomljanovic in three tough sets in the opening round and has a knack for winning tight matches. Last year she qualified for Miami and then went on to beat a then 12^th-seeded Ana Ivanovic before falling to Tathiana Garbin in the third round. She also took down Jelena Jankovic at last year’s US Open in the second round, winning 6-3, 6-7(4), 7-6(6). So watch out for her!

Match-up:

This is the first career meeting between Shvedova and Lisicki. This match is really going to depend on the health of Lisicki. If she is feeling better than she did at Indian Wells she can do some damage. If she is still reeling than Shvedova will have the advantage. Lisicki loves to pound the ball from both sides and she has a big-time serve when it’s on. Shvedova is consistent from both sides, moves well and can also play offensively. I like Lisicki to move on, but if she is hurting this match could go to Shvedova.

Nick’s Pick – Lisicki in 3 sets

Justine Henin (BEL) vs. Elena Dementieva (RUS)

Henin knocked off American Jill Craybas in the opening round to set up this clash with Dementieva. She is still looking for her first title in Miami and I certainly wouldn’t doubt her chances. She did reach the finals back in 2007, where she lost to Serena Williams in three sets.

Dementieva has played well in Miami throughout her career, yet she has never won the title. Like Henin, she also has been to the finals once where she lost to Serena Williams. Last year she advanced to the fourth round before falling to Caroline Wozniacki in straight sets. I am sure she is looking forward to the challenge of taking on Henin!

Match-up:

Henin is 10-2 against Dementieva and bear her in the second round of the Australian Open earlier this year. Henin has obviously dominated Dementieva throughout their careers and will have the mental edge over her opponent. Dementieva has the groundstrokes to keep Henin pinned back behind the baseline, but her serve doesn’t allow her to control points and that is what really gives Henin the edge. With Henin’s determination, movement and versatility I give her the edge in a hard-fought match.

Nick’s Pick – Henin in 3 sets

Melanie Oudin (USA) vs. Vera Zvonareva (RUS)

Match-up:

This is the first career meeting between Zvonareva and Oudin and it’s going to be an exciting match because many American fans haven’t had a chance to see Oudin since her run at last year’s US Open. She is a crowd favorite and that will definitely help her. Oudin really has to play well to beat Zvonareva because of how consistent the Russian is. Zvonareva will take the ball early, hovering right over the baseline and will force Oudin to do some things she doesn’t want to. Oudin will need to change the pace, play with more versatility, and take some more chances throughout this match. With the balls bouncing higher that will give her a little more help, but I just feel the Russian has too much for her.

Nick’s Pick – Zvonareva in 3 sets

Roger Federer (SUI) vs. Nikolay Davydenko (RUS)

Federer dismantled Lleyton Hewitt in the fourth round and since his tough first round match against Igor Andreev, Federer has looked brilliant. He has reached at least the semifinals in the last 22 consecutive majors, and of those 22, he has been to the finals of 17! That is truly remarkable.

Davydenko is making his fourth appearance in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, and is looking to reach the semis for the first time in his career. Davydenko is playing some of the best tennis of his career and this is a great opportunity for him to win his first Grand Slam title.

Match-Up:

Federer is 12-2 against Davydenko, but the Russian has beaten him the last two times they have faced including once already this year. There isn’t much in this match that I can break down for you because everyone knows how these two play. I cannot and will not give my man Mr. Federer a thumbs down, but what I will say is that he needs to be careful because the almost invisible man, Davydenko, is on a mission. I don’t care what time this match is on: WATCH IT!

Nick’s Pick – Federer in 4 sets

Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA)

Djokovic has progressed through the draw rather quietly and I think that’s a good thing for him. His focus needs to be on tennis and tennis alone for him to have a chance to get back to the finals of where he won his one and only Grand Slam title.

Tsonga played his first career five-set match in the fourth round, beating Nicolas Almagro 9-7 in the fifth set! Tsonga really seems to thrive down under, because this is the only Grand Slam tournament that he has been able to get to the quarters of. Can he repeat his great run of 2008 and get back to the finals?

Match-Up:

Tsonga is 4-2 against Djokovic, but Djokovic did beat him in the finals of the 2008 Australian Open. Djokovic is about as perfect technically in every aspect of the game as anyone. He seems to be focusing more on the tennis now than in the past and that is a big plus for him. On the other side, everything depends on Tsonga’s health. If he is feeling okay physically than this will be a match, if not, Djokovic will run him off the court. I give the advantage to Djokovic, but this has the potential to be a great battle.

Nick’s Pick – Djokovic in 4 sets

Andy Roddick (USA) vs. Marin Cilic (CRO)

Down two sets to one in the fourth round, Roddick dug deep and beat Fernando Gonzalez 6-2 in the fifth to advance. He’s been to the semifinals down under four times previously, including last year, but he has never been to the finals. Could this be the year that Roddick makes an appearance on the final Sunday?

Cilic took down fellow young-gun Juan Martin Del Potro in five sets to advance to the quarters of a Grand Slam for the second time in his career. Cilic certainly stepped his game up during the big points and with a win here, he will reach the semis of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career.

Match-Up:

Roddick and Cilic have played twice, with each player winning a match. They most recently met back in 2008 at Canada with Cilic winning in three sets. Both of the quarterfinal matches on this half of the draw are tough to call, but I’ll do my best to break them down for you. Roddick is in fantastic shape, he’s getting a high percentage of his first serves in, he mobility is excellent, his slice is now a weapon, he is in control of his emotions and he is a fierce competitor. Right now, he is playing some of the best tennis of his life and I truly feel he could beat anyone at this point. On the other side, Cilic is also playing great tennis. He has monster strokes from both sides, has a sonic serve and is brimming with confidence. With the way Roddick is playing right now, and with his complete game I have to give him a slight edge.

Nick’s Pick – Roddick in 4 sets

Andy Murray (GBR) vs. Rafael Nadal (ESP)

Murray is the only man left in the draw who has yet to drop a set and he has done so rather quietly. He beat John Isner in the fourth round and is into the quarterfinals of the Aussie Open for the first time in his career. Murray has now been to at least the quarterfinals in every single Grand Slam.

Nadal needed four sets to get past big-serving Ivo Karlovic in the fourth round. Karlovic was able to test Nadal, but the Spaniard had too much for him in the end. He has been to the at least the semis of six out of the last eight Grand Slams and anything less for him is a disappointment.

Match-Up:

Murray is 4-2 against Nadal, but has lost to him the last two times they have played. They actually met in the fourth round of the 2007 Australian Open and Nadal won that in five tough sets. Murray’s movement is off the wall, he is both fast and quick. He is able to turn defense into offense better than just about anybody, and that is what really makes him stand out above his competition. His return of serve remind me of Andre Agassi. He has a very short backswing and comes forward into the court as he hits the ball. I think he is darn close to having everything to winning a Grand Slam, but the one thing he needs a little more of is power on his driving forehand. Nadal hasn’t looked like the Rafa of old. He doesn’t seem to have the same pop on his forehand or his serve, but Nadal at 90% is better than most players at 100%. He still has the ability grind out points and use his strength to keep his opponents pinned back.

I really feel like the longer this match goes, the more it favors Murray. In the past, I would have said Nadal, but right now I think Murray has the edge. I am going to go with the Scotsman, but it is very close.

Nick’s Pick – Murray in 4 or 5 sets

Vera Zvonareva (RUS) vs. Iveta Benesova (CZE)

Zvonareva is shaking off an ankle injury, but showed no ill effects of that in her first round victory over Kristina Kucova of Slovakia. She lost only two games and looked like her old self. She reached the semis here last year, and a potential match with Ana Ivanovic looms in the next round.

Benesova comes into the tournament ranked #45 in the world and won her first round match in straight sets. She reached the third round here back in 2006 and that is her best result at any Grand Slam.

Match-Up:

Zvonareva is 2-1 against Benesova, having last beat her in 2008 on clay in Rome. Benesova is a good mover who is small, left-handed and capable of beating top players any day. Her serve is attackable and Zvonareva should be able to dominate play with her penetrating groundstrokes and devastating movement. The question is Zvonareva’s ankle. If she is healthy, she will go far in this tournament, if not, than who knows? I look for Zvonareva to advance.

Nick’s Pick – Zvonareva in 2 sets

Venus Williams (USA) vs. Sybille Bammer (AUT)

Venus quietly moved into the second round, beating Lucie Safarova 6-2, 6-2. Her best result down under was back in 2003, when she reached the finals. The Australian Open and the French Open are the two Grand Slams that Venus has yet to win.

Bammer is a 29-year old veteran who comes into the tournament ranked #55 in the world. She has had solid results at Grand Slams in her career, reaching the quarters at the 2008 US Open and the fourth round at the 2007 French Open. Her best result at the Australian was back in 2006 when she advanced to the third round.

Match-Up:

Venus is 1-0 against Bammer with that win coming in the first round of the 2006 French Open. Bammer is a tough left-hander who will not go down without a fight. She has been around for a while and will not be surprised by anything Venus does. Venus will have to keep the unforced errors from the forehand side down to a minimum and keep her first serve percentage high. The court favors her game and when she comes to the net consistently she is very difficult to beat. I look for a tough two-set win for Venus.

Nick’s Pick – V. Williams in 2 sets

Justine Henin (BEL) vs. Elena Dementieva (RUS)

Playing in her first Grand Slam since the 2008 Australian Open, Henin looked as if she had never left, beating Kirsten Flipkens in straight sets. Henin certainly has the talent to pull a 2009 US Open-Clijsters-like-run, but we will have to see if her health holds up. Don’t be surprised if she is playing on final weekend!

It didn’t take long for Dementieva to win her first round match, as she beat Vera Dushevina 6-1, 6-2 to advance. She’s a former Aussie Open semifinalist, and is still looking for her first career Grand Slam title. There is no doubt that she has the talent, she just needs to stay focused mentally.

Match-Up:

This is the 12^th career meeting between Henin and Dementieva, with Henin holding a 9-2 advantage. This is the match that everyone has been looking forward to since the draw was announced. It is really a shame that one of these girls will lose so early in the tournament, but for the viewers it’s great. I’ve said it before, and I will say it again: once the ball gets in play, there is no one better than Elena Dementieva. Her groundstrokes are unbelievable because of her fantastic movement, superb foundation and exquisite balance.  The question with her has always been her serve, and if that is on, she will be alright.

I know that most people will favor Henin in this match. She can do it all and hit every shot in the book. She hits the slice, the dink, the dunk, the dip, and her movement is unparalleled. All eyes are on her throughout the tournament as people want to see if she can emulate Clijsters’ return from last year. I just feel that the surface favors Dementieva and she has probably more match ready than Henin. If Dementieva’s serve falters at all, Henin will pounce all over her. I look for a very tight match, but I think Dementieva will come out the victor in the end.

Nick’s Pick – Dementieva in 3 sets

Jelena Jankovic (SRB) vs. Katie O’Brien (GBR)

Jankovic had a solid win in the opening round, taking out Monica Niculescu 6-4, 6-0. She reached the semis here in 2008, but lost in the fourth round to Marion Bartoli last year. I have a feeling that Jankovic is going to fare better in 2010 than she did in 2009. She is focused, determined, and ready to roll.

O’Brien, currently ranked #87 in the world, is playing in her second career Australian Open main draw. She qualified last year before falling to Monica Niculescu in the first round. This is only the second time in her career that she has reached the second round of a Grand Slam.

Match-Up:

This is the first career meeting between the 23-year old O’Brien and the 24-year old Jankovic. O’Brien is going to have her work cut out for her in this match. Jankovic spent her off-season training at the IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy and I can guarantee you that she worked as hard as anyone on the tour to get back into the zone. She is physically fit, playing aggressive tennis, and her strokes are some of the best (especially her backhand). I just feel like Jankovic is on a mission this year and it is going to take a lot to stop her.

Nick’s Pick – Jankovic in 2 sets

Vera Zvonareva (RUS) vs. Anna Chakvetadze (RUS)

Zvonareva advanced easily into the second round, with a 6-0, 6-4 win over Nuria Llagostera Vives. Her best result here came back in 2004, when she reached the fourth round. Not many people are talking about this top-ten ranked player, but be careful, she is capable of beating anyone.

Chakvetadze is a former top-five ranked player, but she has fallen on hard times and is down to #68 in the world. She reached the semis at the US Open back in 2007 and has also been to the quarterfinals of both the French Open and Australian Open. The talent is certainly there, it just comes down to her mental focus.

Match-Up:

Zvonareva is 2-0 against Chakvetadze, but the two haven’t faced since 2006. Like I said up top, Chakvetadze has the talent to take down the best in the world, but she struggles to focus and hasn’t played anywhere near the level she showed two years ago. Zvonareva had an injury earlier this year that kept her out of play, but she is feeling better now and looked great in the first round. Her biggest weapon is movement and tremendous foot speed. She also has a very solid serve, hits offensively, and will look to control the court. I think Chakvetadze can push her, but in the end, Zvonareva just has too many weapons for her fellow Russian.

Nick’s Pick – Zvonareva in 2 sets

Venus Williams (USA) vs. Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA)

The first round was a struggle for Venus, but she demonstrated why she is #3 in the world with a gritty three-set victory. She had to see the trainer a couple of times, and who knows how that will affect her moving forward. One thing is for sure: Venus will not go down without a fight!

Mattek-Sands beat a tough opponent in Iveta Benesova in the opening round 6-3, 6-4. She has never been out of the second round of the US Open, but is more than capable of doing so.

Match-Up:

Venus is 2-0 against Mattek-Sands, with one of those wins coming earlier this year at the French Open. Mattek-Sands is flashy (make sure to check out what she is wearing), and dangerous at times. She plays big at all times and will be right there if Venus continues to make mistakes from the forehand side. Mattek-Sands is going to have to attack whenever she can to have a chance at beating Venus. I think in the end, Venus will settle down, focus, and get back to business.

Nick’s Pick – V. Williams in 2 sets

Jelena Jankovic (SRB) vs. Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ)

Jankovic breezed by Roberta Vinci in the opening round 6-2, 6-3 and is looking to get back to the finals for the second consecutive year. She just won the title in Cincinnati and beat three top-ten opponents in Victoria Azarenka, Elena Dementieva, and Dinara Safina along the way.

Shvedova is a 21-year old from Kazakhstan who is currently ranked #55 in the world. She did reach the third round of the French Open earlier this year, but this is the first time she has ever advanced into the second round of the US Open.

Match-Up:

Jankovic is 1-0 against Shvedova, with that win coming last year at Doha. Jankovic just spent time at the Academy before Cincinnati and she is full of confidence. I gave her a little tip on her backhand when she was down and I told her that she had a double pump on the backhand which was causing her to lose that solid foundation. She has fixed that now and her backhand is looking fantastic once again. The other thing I have noticed with Jankovic is that she is very happy. When Jelena is happy and has confidence, she is extremely difficult to beat. Shvedova will have to take chances in this match and try to keep Jankovic off-balance. I don’t see that happening and I like Jankovic to move through.

Nick’s Pick – Jankovic in 2 sets

Elena Dementieva (RUS) vs. Melanie Oudin (USA)

Dementieva looked great in her first round victory over Camille Pin, winning 6-1, 6-2. Many of the experts are picking her as the winner, and I think she has an excellent chance of winning her first Grand Slam right now. She was a finalist here in 2004, and certainly has the talent to beat anyone.

Oudin is one of the young American women that people are talking about. She surprised everyone by reaching the fourth round of Wimbledon and upsetting Jelena Jankovic in the process. In 2007, as a junior she won 27 consecutive matches and four straight tournaments!

Match-Up:

This is the first career match between Oudin and Dementieva, and promises to be one of the more intriguing matches of the day. Oudin’s game is predicated on movement and getting the extra ball. She is quick and has very solid groundstrokes. She is small (5’6”), but she gets a whole lot of power out of that petite frame. She will definitely attack Dementieva whenever she can, but she doesn’t have the big weapon to hurt the Russian. Right now, I feel Dementieva has the best groundstrokes on the tour. She is so consistent, hits with depth, and keeps her opponents on the defensive. Her serve has improved and her movement is world class. Oudin must try and break Dementieva down mentally, because if there has been any problems in Dementieva’s game it has been her mental focus. If Oudin can do this, then she will have a chance. Don’t be surprised to see this match go three sets, but in the end you have to go with the experience of Dementieva.

Nick’s Pick – Dementieva in 3 sets

Roger Federer begins his quest for a sixth straight US Open title against American Devin Britton

It’s US Open time again and we are thrilled to be back in New York for the entire tournament. Be sure to stay with Nick’s Picks throughout the tournament for live coverage of the year’s final Grand Slam. We begin today with our breakdown of the draws.

Men’s Draw

The big story about the men’s draw is the change at the top. For the first time in a long while, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal could have faced before the finals. Nadal has slipped to #3 in the rankings because of injuries and Federer and Andy Murray have taken over the top two spots. Alas, it was not to be, as Nadal was placed in Murray’s half of the draw and can still face Federer in the finals.

Speaking of Federer, he starts off with an interesting match against young American, Devin Britton. Britton spent many years training at the IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy and then as a freshman in college he won the NCAA singles championship this year at Ole Miss. Britton is a serve-and-volleyer and this will be a great experience for him.

Assuming Federer plays like he has, he should be able to move through the draw with not many issues. He could face Lleyton Hewitt in the third round and possibly James Blake in the fourth, but I don’t see either of those guys stopping FedEx. A potential Nikolay Davydenko quarter could be tricky, but the match we all want to see is a Federer/Andy Roddick semifinal. After a fantastic Wimbledon final, a rematch in the semis here would be must-see TV.

Roddick’s path could be tough though as he could run into some trouble in the fourth round against either Tommy Haas or Fernando Verdasco. He would also have to get by Novak Djokovic in the quarters, whom he lost to in last year’s quarterfinals. Since then though, Roddick has beaten him three consecutive times (all this year).

On the bottom half of the draw, all the talk is about Murray and Nadal. Murray, last year’s runner-up, begins his quest for a first Grand Slam title with a tough opponent in Ernests Gulbis. He could also face a big-serving third round opponent as Ivo Karlovic and Taylor Dent both loom in that section of the draw.

Those guys aren’t the only big guys who can serve in the bottom half, as they are joined by Jo-Willy Tsonga, Tomas Berdych, Juan Martin Del Potro, Marin Cilic, and Stan Wawrinka. All of those guys are talented enough to beat anyone. You’ve also got a couple of sly Frenchmen in Gael Monfils and Gilles Simon in the draw; watch out for those guys as well!

The match everyone is going to be looking at early on is Nadal vs. Richard Gasquet. We all know that Nadal has been dealing with injuries, but Gasquet is playing in his first ATP Tour level match since April after missing most of 2009 because of a drug suspension. He comes in ranked #46 in the world, but has been as high as #7.  This will be a very interesting match for both players.

Overall, I think the bottom half of the draw is a bit stronger than the top half just because of the quantity of men who are more than capable of taking down the top guys. I wouldn’t be surprised to see any one of those guys playing well into the second week.

Women’s Draw

As has been the case for most of 2009, the field is once again wide open. This draw seems top-heavy to me. On the top you have a very strong contingent of Russian women which includes: Dinara Safina, Alisa Kleybanova, Elena Dementieva, Maria Sharapova, Nadia Petrova, and Svetalana Kuznetsova. You’ve also got Jelena Jankovic, Ana Ivanovic, Sabine Lisicki, Caroline Wozniacki and Jie Zheng. This is an extremely tough half of the draw and whoever comes out is going to be battle-tested.

The top-seed on the women’s side is Safina, and she is still looking for her first Grand Slam title. She has not been able to put together a strong showing in the finals of a Grand Slam yet, and some people question whether or not she should be the top seed. She could face fellow Russian Kleybanova (a big hitter) in the third round and possibly Jankovic, Ivanovic, or Lisicki in the quarters.

The semis on the top half of the draw are tough to predict. You’ve got Dementieva (who I think has the best groundstrokes on tour), and two former champions here: Sharapova and Kuznetsova. Dementieva and Sharapova could meet in an epic third-round bout with the winner having to move on and face maybe Kuznetsova or even Wozniacki in the quarters. Should be interesting to follow.

On the bottom half of the draw the story revolves around two names: Williams and Clijsters. Both Serena and Venus find themselves in the bottom half with wild-card Kim Clijsters (2005 champion) also lurking. Serena, the defending champion, opens up with American Alexa Glatch, and could face Daniela Hantuchova in the fourth round and possibly the uber-talented Vera Zvonareva in the quarters.

Venus and Clijsters could face in the fourth round, which would be one heck of a match. The winner of that match could be looking at Victoria Azarenka in the quarters, and beating her is never an easy task.

Don’t forget about the young Michelle Larcher de Brito. The 16-year old Portuguese sensation, who trains at the IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy, opens up with Mathilde Johansson and is looking for her first career win at the US Open.

My prediction for the women’s draw has to start with Serena. Until someone knocks her off, I just can’t predict her to lose. She is so good when she is focused and fit and playing in New York always seems to bring out the best in her. Don’t be surprised if there are numerous upsets in the draw, because when the field is this wide open, who knows what will happen!!

Dinara Safina (RUS) vs. Venus Williams (USA)

Safina fought very hard in her quarterfinal win over Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy student Sabine Lisicki. This is Safina’s first appearance in the semifinals of Wimbledon and her fourth consecutive Grand Slam overall where she has reached at least the semis. This is a great chance for her to prove to everyone that she is the best player in the world, because a win over Venus on grass is extremely difficult.

Venus moved on rather easily in the quarterfinals, beating Aggie Radwanska 6-1, 6-2 to advance to the semis for third straight year. Like Federer, she is looking for her sixth Wimbledon title, which would put her in a class with very few others. She has yet to drop a set and has only lost a total of 19 games in five matches!

Match-Up:

Venus is 2-1 against Safina, but the Russian won their only match this year on clay at Rome. Something tells me that is not going to happen here. Safina doesn’t have the best track record in big matches, but this time she isn’t the favorite. They may help her loosen up a bit and relax. For a #1 player, she is to tense and always seems like a volcano that is ready to blow. That has to change if she is going to be a consistent winner on the grandest of stages. Venus just seems so comfortable right now and with her wingspan and fantastic groundstrokes it is going to be very hard for anyone to beat her. I just think stroke for stroke and pound for pound, Venus has the advantage.

Nick’s Pick – V. Williams in 3 sets

Serena Williams (USA) vs. Elena Dementieva (RUS)

Like big sister Venus, Serena hasn’t dropped a set either. She didn’t have much trouble with talented youngster, Victoria Azarenka, dropping the Belarusian 6-2, 6-3. Serena is looking to get back to the finals for the second straight year and is looking for her first Wimbledon title since winning it back-to-back in 2002-2003. Serena has won two out of the last three Grand Slams and I wouldn’t be surprised to see her get another trophy!

Dementieva reached the semis here last year and has now advanced to the semis of four out of the last five Grand Slams. She hasn’t been to the finals of a Grand Slam since 2004 when she went to both the French Open and US Open finals. Like Venus and Serena, she hasn’t dropped a set either and hasn’t really been challenged at all.

Match-Up:

Serena is 5-3 against Dementieva and in their two matches this year they split. These girls have a long history and know each other well. There will be no surprises in this match and I expect it to be very competitive. Dementieva will use her superb groundies and excellent footwork to combat the great power of Serena. Although Dementieva’s serve is improved, it still isn’t a weapon against a player like Serena. Look for the American to jump on any weak serve and go for winners. Serena has been absolutely dominant in her run to the semis and has really cut down on her errors. She is doing just about everything as well as anyone can and I think she will continue that en route to the finals!

Nick’s Pick – S. Williams in 3 sets

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

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