Tennis is in a really good place right now. The game is played by some of the top athletes in the world and their are a couple of traits that the best on both size all possess: size, strength, speed, power and a unbelievable will to win. It make not difference how you go through the draw, because you are eventually going to have to face the top guys including Djokovic, Nadal, Murray, Federer, Del Potro, Ferrer and even some of the best young ones like Tomic, Raonic, Nishikori, and Harrison. They are all very difficult out’s.

Let’s look back on some of the best matches…

Federer vs. Nadal – So many fans and players were sort of taken aback and so was I about how Federer sort of lost his way in towards the end of that match. His backhand, which was just about flawless throughout the previous rounds, totally broke down and he was shanking balls in all directions. Nadal played much closer to the baseline and controlled play. The final blow to this match was Federer’s serve, which went from being consistent to inconsitent!

Djokovic vs. Murray – Frank Sinatra had an old hit entitled, “What a Difference a Day Made,” well we should change that too “What a Difference Ivan Lendl Made!” No one ever doubted Murray’s ability, but what Lendl has made a world of difference with his game. Murray is in better control of his mind and body, he is standing closer to the baseline and his forehand is much more aggressive. Very nice to see. Yes, Djokovic won the match, but this is exactly what Murray must do to win a Grand Slam. He is so close, but getting over that Djokovic hump is going to be difficult!

Djokovic vs. Nadal – I must bring out a few very important points of interest and try to make all you realize what these two went through. Chris CarMichael, considered one of the top writers, said “The endurance of tennis is critical to be able to perform the intense movements required to last in a four and a half hour match and them come back 48 hours later and  do it again. Recovery is a must do of your training!”  This match ended up with two winners, even though the trophy was in Djokovic’s hands. Can you fans believe how far these two guys ran in this match? This match demonstrated a display of every type of shot and movement plus determination beyond description. Simply amazing and congrats to both men!

Sharapova vs. Azarenka – This match was a bit of a letdown for Maria, but was very positive for Azarenka. She dominated the match in all ways, and I was happy for her! She has improved her physical fitness and is much stronger in her lower body, giving her controlled power.

I want to say a special thanks to:

• The unbelievable fans – they broke the attendance record and were very hospitable
• Tennis Australia – great job!
• ESPN and The Tennis Channel – all the commentators were outstanding!!
• The man above for some great weather
• Unsung heroes like the ball boys and girls, linesmen and women, chair unpires and everyone else

It was a great tournament and I cannot wait until Indian Wells, the Sony Ericsson and the French Open!

The question heading into this match is how much Djokovic’s last match against Murray has taken out of him. Their will certainly be no surprises between these two as they played numerous times last season with Djokovic winning a majority of the time. Djokovic didn’t win as many free points on his serve as he usually does against Murray because Murray stayed close to the baseline and took the ball early catching Djokovic out of position. I’ll be interested to see if Nadal changes up his strategy from last season, because Djokovic seemed to understand what it took to beat him and he never seemed under much stress at any time. It’s going to take one heck of a mental approach for Djokovic to be able to withstand the punishing groundstrokes from Nadal, but he has shown in the past he can handle it.

Look, this match is going to be incredibly fun to watch and I cannot wait for it start. I have to give the edge here to Djokovic because of his success from 2011. I know he is coming off a long match against Murray, but I just think he has the mental edge here and I cannot pick against him. Djokovic in 4 sets. 

This is definitely going to be one of the louder finals you have ever heard! Both women grunt and both are known to shriek so I suggest your purchase a set of earplugs and sit back to watch a battle with a ton on the line. The winner not only receives $2.3 million dollars, but also the title and the #1 ranking in the world! Let’s breakdown each player…

Maria Sharapova

I am very familiar and friendly with the Sharapova family as Maria has been a part of the IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy since she was 9 years old. Looking back to her early years, I must say that her father, Yuri, had a big influence on her life. Yuri stayed on the court hours and hours per day, not only watching every move she made, but also wrote down everything I said. He had a limited background in tennis, but was very wise to put her int he hands of the coaches who had great experience. Believe me when I say, Yuri was a big factor in her success, but let’s not put aside that he knew when to step aside and hire a full-time coach (Michael Joyce). This was a big decision and the results have been tremendous. Maria is now working with Thomas Hogstedt and they seem to be a great team.

Sharapova’s game is very simple. She stands close to inside the baseline taking the ball early. She hits it hard and flat from both sides, has quick preparation on her backhand side, goes for broke on the return of serve, will angle her shots when she moves the opponents deep behind the baseline, has worked on her serve which has really become a weapon, is extremely strong mentally and loves to hit the swinging volleys. Her best asset though is her will to win. She always finds a way, no matter what and if she loses it is only because she has run out of time!

Victoria Azarenka

Azarenka is one heck of a player and will match Sharapova grunt for grunt with her powerful shots! She is a big hitter with a powerful, killer forehand. She plays the important points very well and this is a sign of a champion. She often lets her opponents off the hook by not coming up and hitting a few swinging volleys, has a solid backhand and will constantly put pressure on her opponents throughout the match. She has yet to lose this year, and I know she doesn’t want that first “L” now!

Nick’s Pick – This is not an easy match to pick, but to me this comes down to forced and unforced errors. I don’t know Azarenka as well as I know Sharapova, but I know for a fact that Sharapova will not have any mental lapses. If Sharapova serves well I give her the edge, but regardless this is going to be close. There is no way I can pick against my girl, Maria! Sharapova in three sets!

Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. Andy Murray (GBR) – I have watched both players throughout this tournament and sum up my opinions of both in a few short sentences. Djokovic will stand close to the baseline and move Murray in all directions. He will get several quick points from his serve and will put a ton of pressure on Murray’s serve. He feels confident and this will play an important role on the outcome of this match. Murray will stand a few feet behind the baseline, will get to every ball, his serve has improved and Lendl has helped him maintain his focus.

Djokovic will not relent and will continually pressure Murray from every direction and their are going to be plenty of long rallies in this match. Their is no doubt in my mind that both men are capable of winning this tournament, but in the end I cannot pick against Djokovic. Djokovic in 4 sets.

Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs. Roger Federer (SUI) – This match-up can be compared to the New England Patriots vs. the Baltimore Ravens. Federer, to me, is like Tom Brady. Both men are smooth and cool under pressure and they play with a great finesse. Nadal is like Ray Lewis. They both play a physical style of defense and will come at you with all their might and if you get up they will knock you down again! The Super Bowl draws a huge audience and so will this match! This is how I see it…

Roger Federer – He uses a heavy racket to play with and this means he cannot try to work the racket using physical strength, but he has to relax and use his talented hands and racket head speed with the racket head and arm extended away from his body on the forward swing and then driving the racket head an arm totally out to the target, Many say he has the very best finishing shots in the game, but to do that he has to be completely balanced and have control of his entire body before the ball arrives. Brady and Federer are both with the ability to read the defense and make a quick adjustment. Once again, both of them have soft hands which enables them to handle the ball easily. In addition, Roger has gained a great deal of confidence with his backhand and is much more aggressive on his passing shots.  No one changes the pace better than Roger with his biting low slice and don’t forget his drop shots from both sides. He also has the ability to use the very same serve toss to hit a kicker or a wide-slice serve.

Rafael Nadal – Nadal is one of a kind and there is no doubt in my mind that he is basically a freak of nature! It’s amazing to me when just about everyone is ready to say he can’t come back and then guess what, he comes back again! The entire world should try to follow his work ethic because this guy never gets tired and is always trying to get better and better. Nadal will do what he has always done against Federer which is to hit his lefty cross-court forehand with heavy spin to Federer’s one-handed backhand. Federer will move Nadal all over the court and try to avoid cross-court rallies. Both men are in top form, but what will be a major factor as the match rolls on is whether or not Federer is able to play his variety of shots which includes coming into the net.

The odds certainly favor Nadal, especially if the match becomes a dog fight with long sets and rallies. Most experts and I agree that the longer the match goes on, the more it favors Nadal. We must also bring our the clear facts that the heavy cross-court forehands of Nadal could take a toll on Federer’s backhand. Having said all of that, I just like the way Federer is playing and I am going to give a slight edge to him. Although, if this match goes five sets, I give it to Nadal. Federer in 4, Nadal in 5!

Women

Maria Sharapova (RUS) vs. Petra Kvitova (CZE) – Kvitova has had success against Sharapova in the past, but Maria is playing great tennis right now! Kvitova’s forehand is hard to read because she is a left and she can hit winners from anywhere on the court. Her bakchand is also an offensive shot and she doesn’t hit with much spin. Her first serve is very good, and she has a lot of action on her second serve, but it can be attacked. She is very comfy at the net and also moves well for her height. Pay close attention to the way she returns serve because she does it very well and with great consistency.

There is no reason to break down Sharapova’s game in to much detail, but this is what will take place. She will stand close to the baseline and pound the tar out of every ball with little spin. She will go after tentative second serves and punish you at all times. She has spent many hours on her physical fitness program and equal time working on her return! Her serve is still a major weapon and will have a big impact on a win or a loss. Finally, no one is stronger mentally that Sharapova!

I give a slight edge to Sharapova because she refuses to lose and will find a way to win! Sharapova in 3 sets.

Roger Federer (SUI) vs. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) – Their will be no surprises between these two as they know each other’s game very well. Del Potro has a sonic serve, a big icker second serve, a very aggressive, flat forehand, an excellent two-handed backhand, and moves really well for a big guy. On the other side, you know what Federer does. He moves around the court like Ali glided over the boxing ring, his grounstrokes are fantastic and he can place his serve anywhere. We are all thrilled to have Del Potro back and playing good tennis again, but Federer will not be impressed because he will play his game and that will make him a winner. Should be a great match, but going with Fed. Federer in 4 sets.

Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs. Tomas Berdych (CZE) – Berdych’s match against Almagro ended with the fans booing him for refusing to shake Almagro’s hand. We will have to see if that has any effect on this match. I would imagine that the fans would be squarely in Nadal’s corner for this match, and they do have an effect. Nadal would do what he does best and hit heavy spinning balls, trying to push Berdych back off the court. Berdych has the big serve and powerful groundies, but I’m not sure if that will be enough. Gotta go Nadal here and looking forward to a possible Nadal/Federer semi! Nadal in 4 sets.

Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. David Ferrer (ESP) – Djokovic continues to roll and many wonder how he can play at that high of a level for so long. That, I cannot answer, but his physical conditioning and nutrition certainly have a lot to do with it. Novak definitely has the advantage against Ferrer (he does against everyone!) and will play a much more aggressive game than his counterpart. Ferrer is in great shape and covers the court extremely well. I give a ton of respect to Ferrer and the way he plays the game, but it’s impossible to pick against Djokovic. Djokovic in 4 sets.

Women

Victoria Azarenaka (BLR) vs. Aggie Radwanska (POL) – Azarenka is looking for that first Grand Slam title, and boy this is a great opportunity. She has monster groundstrokes, has become a better defensive player, plays the big points very well and can turn defense into offense better than most anyone. Her serve has been great and she hasn’t been broken yet throughout the tournament. Radwanska has a tough task here. She doesn’t have the big weapons, but she doesn’t make any mistakes either. She moves extremely well and anticipates where the ball is going to be perfectly. Azarenka should be able to control points, and if she continues to serve at the current pace, she should win. Azarenka in 2 sets.

Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) vs. Kim Clijsters (BEL) – Wow, this is going to be a barn-burner! Both women come in playing fantastic tennis and even though Clijsters may be a little nicked up from her last match against Na Li, she will be competing to the last point. Wozniacki looked great against Jankovic, but Clijsters will come at her from the first ball. Clijsters’ movement is superb, her serve is solid and her aggressiveness is what really sets her apart. Wozniacki will need a good serving day, because any weakness here and Clijsters will jump all over her. This is going to be a tough match, but I have to give the edge to Clijsters. Clijsters in 3 sets.

Maria Sharapova (RUS) vs. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) – Sharapova has been all business in her matches and only knows one way to play. She stands inside the baseline taking the ball early, has a superb return of serve, and her groundstrokes are some of the best. Makarova is a lefty who built her game based on her movement and making you hit one extra shot. She is sneaky good and should be full of confidence after dispatching Serena Williams in straight sets. Makarova must go for her shots and use her slice serve to keep Sharapova off-balance. The key to this match is whether or not she gets a good percentage of first serves in play because Sharapova will pounce on her second serve. Because of the stage and their experience, I definitely give the edge to Sharapova. Sharapova in 2 sets.

Men

Roger Federer (SUI) vs. Bernard Tomic (AUS) - It is impossible to find the words that describe how good Roger Federer has been throughout his illustrious career. To me, the question is: What can’t he do?? His versatility is astounding and it drives his opponents crazy because they are thinking more about him than their own game. Federer is able to read the ball and know exactly where it will bounce and whether it is hit flat or with spin and the height/direction. His finishing shots are some of the best ever, his initial reaction is something you cannot teach, and he is a master with placing his serve using the same exact toss.

On the other side, you have Tomic. There is no doubt that he will be around for a long time. He will have to get used to making the quarters, semis and finals of many more tournaments. He is a big, strong boy and gives the audience an impression he is sleeping standing up, but in reality it is his opponents that are having the nightmare! His game enables him to hit offensive serves, big forehands, and a wicked two-handed backhand. Against Federer, Tomic may have to come out of his comfort zone at times and attack more to win this match. I look for Federer to win, but this should be really fun to watch. Federer in 4 sets.

Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs. Feliciano Lopez (ESP) – Generally, when Lopez takes the court he has the advantage of being a lefty – not in this case. It makes it much easier for Nadal to return that booming serve, especially to the ad court. Keep in mind, that Nadal is really a right and because of this, his backhand is superb with the top-hand doing all the work. Lopez must understand that beating Nadal from the baseline and with his serve will not work. He must do a little of this and a little of that including coming in to the net. No matter what way I break this one down, Nadal comes out on top. Nadal in 3, maybe 4 sets.

Women

Jelena Jankovic (SRB) vs. Caroline Wozniack (DEN) – It’s true, I picked McHale to upset Jankovic in the last round and I was proved wrong! Maybe my comments motivated her! Jankovic played great tennis in that match and if she continues to play like that, it will not be long before she is back in the top 10 and maybe even the top 5. She is an excellent athlete and her movement has helped her win so many matches. She has very consistent groundstrokes with very little spin, and her two-handed backhand is one of the best. Her second serve is attackable, but then again, so is Wozniacki’s.

Both girls are in great shape, but Caroline comes out a little ahead by being more hard-nosed and confident. This match will include several long rallies and the stat-box favors Wozniacki. I don’t think Jankovic can beat Woznaicki solely from the baseline. If I were her coach, which I used to be, I will tell Jelena to press Caroline, including attacking the net. Jankovic must also be more explosive and take the ball earlier. She has to hit angled shots and even mix in a few drop shots at times. Wozniacki should do what she does, play consistent tennis but when inside the baseline she should go for it! The rankings certainly favor Wozniacki, but I feel Jankovic is on the right path after that last win. The longer this match goes, the more it favors Wozniacki. I am really torn here, but I have to give a slight edge to Wozniacki. Wozniacki in 3 sets, but this could be a close one.

Kim Clijsters (BEL) vs. Li Na (CHN) – This should be a really good match if both women are playing their best tennis. It’s great to have Clijsters playing again, she brings a great energy to the Tour. She can play from any position on the court, she hits with power, she has a darn good serve, she’s very comfy at the net and she always puts pressure on her opponents. Her one question is lack of match play, but with her experience I don’t think that will be a big issue. Li Na’s game is simple. She will stand right on the baseline taking the ball early. She has a super foundation with very compact strokes, solid serve, comfortable at the net and her movement is above average. I don’t know what goes on inside her head, but at times she tends to look at her box too much which affects her performance. Like the Wozniacki/Jankovic match, this one could go either way. With Kim’s history in Australia though, I have to give her a slight advantage. Clijsters in 3 sets.

Men

Ivo Karlovic (CRO) vs. Roger Federer (SUI) – When you play Mr. Karlovic you must know going in that he has some big weapons, but he also has some areas that are very attackable. His serve is like a rocket coming at you and he can also hit a big, kicking second serve as well. His forehand is excellent and he hits with with very little spin. His backhand is where he lacks the punch. When he spent a month at the IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy a few years ago I started my conversation with him by telling him that if I had him as a youngster I wouldn’t have let him hit a backhand with slice until he was 18 years old. Why? With a ballistic serve, killer forehand and his touch at the net he should be a more consistent player, but the backhand holds him back. Almost 99% of the time, he slices his backhand. When you play against the best they will hit it wide to your forehand and then make you move to hit your backhand. Quite often, your slice will be defensive and that’s all it takes for your opponents like Djokovic, Murray, Federer, etc. to get the upper hand.

Federer will not be overly impressed or worries about Karlovic’s big serve, as he knows he only has to break serve one time in each set to win it. Roger has no real weakness, he seems to be healthy and he just got a walkover in the second round. It will be interesting to see his strategy against Karlovic, but he should win this going away. Federer in 3, maybe 4 sets.

Nicolas Almagro (ESP) vs. Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) – Wawrinka knocked off Marcos Baghdatis (and forced him to break four rackets) in the second round and that is no easy feat as Baghdatis always plays well in Australia. Wawrinka is a big, strong dude with the ability to hit any type of shot with his one-handed backhand. He’s also got a monster forehand and a very aggressive serve. On the other side, Almagro is Almagro. He isn’t going to hurt Wawrinka, but he isn’t going to hurt himself either. He stays within his comfort-zone by playing very consistently. He gets to darn near every ball and this takes a toll on his opponents and often times forces them to overhit. This is going to be a long match and if played under real hot and humid conditions that could help Almagro. Keep in that both men had longer matches in the second round so you don’t know if that is going to have any effect. I have to give a slight edge to Almagro, but this could really go either way. Almagro in 4 or 5 sets.

Milos Raonic (CAN) vs. Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) – I watched Raonic play his last match and as I got into the match I found myself thinking how the heck can he hit the serve 140-150 mph consistently without his arm coming lose from his shoulder!! He is winning close to 90% of the points on his first serve, which is amazing and he also has a great forehand, a steady, offensive two-handed backhand, he’s a darn good volleyer and he moves well for his size. He is still young and at times he gets frustrated, but nothing overly bad. On the other side, you have the cagey veteran Hewitt. He just knocked off Andy Roddick and has been through many battles. He fights like no other and he will try to keep Raonic on the court for at least 5 sets! He knows that the longer this match goes the more it favors him. I just don’t know if he has enough firewpower at this point. I am going to go with Raonic, but watch out for those Aussie fans, they may be enough to inspire Hewitt to a victory! Raonic in 4 sets.

Kei Nishikori (JPN) vs. Julien Benneteau (FRA) – Nishikori had a great comeback win against Australian Matt Ebden in the second round as he was down two sets, but came back to win it in five. Kei is the definition of a shot-maker , with his fantastic ability to move and force errors from his opponents. Benneteau is really tough though, he has a big serve, he isn’t afraid to come into the net and his backhand is sweet. The longer this match goes, the more it favors Benneteau, but I am sticking with Kei! Nishikori in 4 sets. 

Women

Christina McHale (USA) vs. Jelena Jankovic (SRB) -This should be a good one. Jelena has slipped down in the rankings a bit and comes in seeded #13. She came to the Academy when she was a very young girl and joined the likes of so many talented youngsters like Maria Sharapova and Tatiana Golovin. There is no two ways about it – she is truly a character and that has helped her and hurt her at times. Her major strength is her movement. Her forehand is compact, with limited spin, and is consistent but it is not a major weapon. Her backhand is her bread-and-butter shot especially when hitting down the line. Her first serve is solid, but her second serve is a weakness and is a good volleyer. Jelena must not start complaining and looking to the stands for help. She is strong enough to control the situation and she doesn’t need any distractions out there.

McHale is a spit-fire out their and she is very competitive. Her style of play is very simple. She is aggressive and wants to hit as many forehand as possible and when she hits those forehand she knocks the tar out of the ball. She moves well and she knows how to get the crowd on her side. She still needs to work on her serve as her first serve could be bigger and her second serve is tentative at times. Pat McEnroe has done a great job working with her and he is very high on her potential and if you are an American tennis fan that is a really good sign. If you look strictly at the rankings here, the edge would go to Jankovic, but she better be careful especially if they get into long rallies and Jankovic is struggling with her serve. I think I am going to go with the upset here, but this could really go either way. McHale in 3 sets.

Kim Clijsters (BEL) vs. Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) – Hantuchova is a former student of mine and trained at the Academy when she as between the ages of 14-16. She is truly an outstanding person and has always been a major asset to the WTA. Her game is simple. She has superb groundstrokes and excellent techniques from both wings. She is also a top doubles player and because of that she is really comfy at the net. Yes, she has no apparent weaknesses, but she doesn’t have the aggressive weapons to push Clijsters around the court. Clijsters, on the other hand, is totally different and will come after Hantuchova from the first ball. Her movement is beyond description and no matter where the ball is she gets there and turns defense into offense. I know Clijsters hasn’t played much as of late, but she is still the favorite to win this match and advance deep into the tournament. Clijsters in 2 sets.

Sabine Lisicki (GER) vs. Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) – Lisicki has trained at the IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy for several years. She is a big, strong young lady who only knows one way to play tennis. She takes the ball early, hits it hard and then she hits it harder! She has had several injuries have sidelined her, but she keeps coming back and if she stay physically fit she has a strong chance of being a top-10 player very soon. Kuznetsova is very strong as well and even though she has fallen back in the rankings a bit, she is still a very tough out. Lisicki must get in a high percentage of first serves and be ready to attack any defensive returns. She must also move Kuznetsova around with controlled offensive shots. This should be a close match, but I am going with my girl! Lisicki in 3 sets. 

At the end of this terrific match, Haas took his shirt off and threw it to the fans, that were on their feet applauding with all their might, thanking Tommy for the many years he has played the game and the excited he added to the 2012 Australian Open. What a gentleman Mr. Nadal is. He hugged Tommy and then asked the audience to get up and salute him for his tireless dedication to the game.

Yes, this might have been Tommy’s last Aussie Open, but I will tell you all. This man has been with me for over 20 years and I had to wipe away my tears of joy as I watched the match that ended around midnight on the east coast. By the way, when you talk about one-handed backhands, there is none better than Haas’. It is a thing of beauty.

Kim Clijsters

That win by Clijsters sent a message directly to all the other women in the draw that she is healthy and ready to repeat her title. After the match, she also thanked her husband for his continuous support he has given her and she will support him in all ways if he decided to pursue a basketball coaching career in the United States. She is truly a classy lady and an example for others to follow. You can still be a fierce competitor, but you can also respect the game. My wife, Cindi, doesn’t say much about tennis but she sure does like watching Kim Clijsters and the way she conducts herself on and off the court.

Christina McHale 

This young girl is special and she is extremely competitive. She has no fear and for good reason, because if I had a forehand like her’s I wouldn’t be afraid of much either! Thanks goes to the USTA and to Patrick McEnroe who has been helping her, but Pat must realize he is getting a little to old to be her hitting partner! Christina will give Jankovic a fierce battle because of her fire power. I am excited about her future and I think American fans are too!

Men

Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) vs. Andy Roddick (USA) – Their will be no surprises between these two veterans in this match. Hewitt had to give everything and more to win his first rounder and now he has to turn around and face a difficult opponent in Roddick in the second round. Roddick showed a bit of zip in his first round win over Robin Haase and will definitely have an advantage on the serve against Hewitt. Roddick needs to move Hewitt side-to-side and keep the points short to beat the Australian and I have to give him the edge. Roddick in 4 or 5 sets. 

Gael Monfils (FRA) vs. Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) – For many years, Monfils was more famous for his antics on the court than his winning. He seems to have turned that around and is playing great tennis. The crowd loves watching him play and he is definitely a showman, but he is hitting fewer errors and isn’t committing as many mistakes and the wins have been piling up. Bellucci is no push-over, and for many years he has been touted as one of the best young guys on the tour, but so far he hasn’t lived up to the billing. Monfils will be tested, but in the end he should pull it out. Monfils in 3 or 4 sets. 

John Isner (USA) vs. David Nalbandian (ARG) – This match has all the makings for a barn-burner. Isner comes in playing good tennis and Nalbandian is always a difficult out. He was beating Jarkko Nieminen pretty handily in the first round when Nieminen retired, so Nalbandian was able to get some rest. Nalbandian isn’t going to make many mistakes so Isner is going to have to pick his spots to attack. He needs to serve well and win as many easy points their as possible, but the longer this match goes the more it is going to swing to Nalbandian. I like Isner here in 4 sets, but watch out this could be an upset!

Tommy Haas (GER) vs. Rafael Nadal (ESP) – I am thrilled to see Tommy back and playing good tennis again. He has been training with me for so long that I consider him part of my family. Throughout his whole career it’s seemed as if he is cursed with injuries, but he comes back more resilient each time. He has one of the greatest one-handed backhands you will ever see, a killer forehand and a fantastic slice. Nadal is going to do what he does to Federer’s one-handed backhand. He is going to hit heavy top-spin forehands to it and try to break it down. Tommy cannot get into long rallies with Nadal, especially cross-court rallies to Nadal’s forehand this will only spell trouble. If Nadal is able to jump out to a fast start, then watch out because once he gets rolling he is almost impossible to stop. I have to give the edge here to Nadal, but this will be a fun match. Nadal in 4 sets. 

Women

Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) vs. Anna Tatishvili (GEO) – This match is all about Wozniacki. She has the goods to win it and probably will, but I will be watching to see how she plays. Everyone is waiting for her to claim her first major title and until she does their will always be chatter. I want to see her play more aggressive. She needs to get a high percentage of her first serves in and she cannot start pushing her second serve because her opponent will jump all over that. I would also like to see her go for her forehand when she has the opportunity and not play as defensive. I look for Wozniacki to advance but she is going to have to play better tennis if she wants to capture this title. Wozniacki in 2 sets. 

Jelena Jankovic (SRB) vs. Kai-Chen Chang (TPE) – Jankovic looked great in her first round win over Laura Robson as she controlled the points from the first ball. Now, she gets a qualifier in Chang and should be able to do the same. Jankovic has tested about every coach imaginable, but it all really boils down to her own mentality. She has the tools to compete with the best and she is super athletic, she just needs to focus mentally. Jankovic in 2 sets. 

Sabine Lisicki (GER) vs. Shahar Peer (ISR) – Lisicki, who trains at the IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy, needed three sets to win her first round match and now she faces an even more difficult opponent in Shahar Peer. Lisicki’s game is to hit the crud out of the ball from anywhere on the court. She has a big-time serve and her groundstrokes are some of the very best. Her issue is that sometimes she presses a little and overhits, so if she can avoid that she should be in good shape. Lisicki should be able to win this match, but Peer will not go down without a challenge. She is very competitive and will make Lisicki work for every point. As long as Lisicki stays within herself and can avoid injury she should be just fine. Lisicki in 3 sets. 

Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) vs. Sloane Stephens (USA) – You don’t hear much chatter about Kuznetsova these days and if you are on the women’s side that should make you nervous. She is always dangerous and she looks like she is in excellent shape right now. She has a great foundation and generally makes little to no errors on the court. Stephens is a young American who has all the physical gifts to be a top player. Her biggest weakness is her mental game. She looked much better at the 2011 US Open, and if she can play like that consistently she will be in good shape. At this point, I don’t think she has enough to beat Kuznetsova right now, but that day may come very soon. Kuznetsova in 2 or 3 sets. 

Ryan Harrison

Forehand – He can hit with spin or he can drive the ball from any position on the court. You will see Ryan covering lots of court space to hit more forehands.

Backhand – Very steady two-handed backhand and he’s exceptional at hitting winners down the line.

Backhand Slice – He can change the pace, he can buy time and he can hit his slice down the line keeping it very low. Oh yes, he can also attack with a slice forcing his opponent’s to hit up on the ball.

Volley – This is an area of his game where he is very comfortable with a simple block volley or a soft touch-volley. Down the road, you will see Ryan attack much more.

Serve – This 19-year old boy can really serve the big bombs, including having one of the very best second serves on the tour. His average second serve is around 110-115 mph which is off the charts!

Movement – Not only does he anticipate well, but in his mind he can run down any ball no matter where it is, forcing his opponent’s to hit extra shots and often errors.

Mentality - Be patient, it is improving every single day. His competitiveness is off-the-wall and he is a crowd-pleaser for the fans. He has had his ups and downs, but in the end we will all witness him become one of the top players in the world!

Andy Murray

Hats off to Andy Murray and his team. It was a fierce battle the first set and the beginning of the second set, but Andy must have felt the penetrating eyes of Ivan Lendl looking down upon him and I am sure this helped him through the first few sets in maintaining his composure!

This was a great match to watch and I want to congratulate both men for giving everything they had. Their were long, physical rallies and the quality of play was very high. We are all very proud of Ryan and we wish him nothing but the best throughout the rest of 2012!