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. 

THE CONTENDERS

Can Roger Federer get back to the winner's cirlce down under?

Roger Federer

Federer is a special player that has a style that few can match: he can play and hit any shot in the book. He ran into a bit of a dry spell in 2010 and no one can really say why, but I think we will see a totally different Roger this time around.

The addition of Paul Annacone (a former student of mine and close friend) was definitely a great move for Federer’s team. Annacone boasts a successful playing career, extensive experience as a coach (USTA, LTA, and private coach of Pete Sampras), and played college tennis at the University of Tennessee. Annacone has had a great influence already on Federer and he explained that Roger had become a defensive player hitting too many slices, chipping the return of serve, not coming to the net enough, and applying pressure at all times. The end result was that Federer won the year-end ATP World Championships. Federer is far from finished and I feel he can win additional Grand Slam titles.

Rafael Nadal

Rafael is only 24-years old and no matter how far back I go in tennis history I cannot find any player that plays the game like he does. Every single point is a match-point to him and very few players can match what he does on and off the court.

He’s won 9 Grand Slam titles and I’m sure he congratulated Roger on winning the year-end championships, but I am sure this is going to give him more of a reason to get out of the gate quickly this year and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him win this title.

Novak Djokovic

I can evaluate his entire game and I find it almost impossible to find a flaw with his techniques, movement and style of play. At times, you might think he is out of shape because of the way he gasps for air but knowing Djokovic personally, I know this isn’t true. If I was his coach, I would have him attack a little more, especially against Federer, Nadal and a few others. He is definitely a contender to win any tournament and even a Grand Slam.

Andy Murray

Andy is one heck of a player, who has so many of the necessary tools to win a Grand Slam, but it also seems like little things happen here and there that cut down his chances of really contending. I really like Andy and his mother, Judy. He is my kind of player – he excited me because he reminds me of my former student Andre Agassi.

It was recently printed that Andy over-trained during the Holiday Break and did not have his normal energy while playing in the Hopman Cup. Andy has got to tell himself that he is 100% fit mentally and physically and he cannot have any excuses. He is capable of so much and just needs to focus on that. I would like to see him play much more offensively, including attacking at times. He must also play much closer to the baseline.

Gael Monfils

He is truly an entertainer, but at the same time, he is a fantastic athlete who at any time can hit any shot whether he is standing still, running, jumping, lying on the ground, well, you get the point. He has shown flashes of brilliance against the very best in the world and is a tough out. He has been plagued by injuries and I am sure that has cut down on his chances of winning the big ones! If healthy, watch out, he can take you down.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

He is another guy, like Monfils, who has shown the ability to play at a very high level but he has been injured off and on and that has really affected his performance. Back in 2008 he reached the finals of the Aussie Open and he really got the crowd on his side with his flashy play. It’s really a shame that he has had so many injuries because when he is on, he is incredible to watch.

Robin Soderling

He takes it to you at all times with very aggressive, quite flat, groundstrokes from both sides. It isn’t that easy to take advantage of his serve, and he puts a ton of pressure on your serve, and he will not hesitate to come to the net. I like the way he competes and his movement is excellent. Don’t be surprised to see him playing well into the second week.

Andy Roddick

He has come so close in many tournaments, but has come up short of winning a Grand Slam title since 2003. Yes, he has a huge serve, big forehand, and an improved backhand, but when you have Federer and Nadal playing alongside you it doesn’t make it easy to win a Grand Slam. He is a fierce competitor, but some are saying his time may be running out. I think he still may have some good runs left in the tank!

Tomas Berdych

He’s another guy who has all the physical ability in the world, but at times loses his mental focus. He was able to correct that in the middle of 2010, reaching the semis of the French and the finals of Wimbledon, but then a first-round exit at the US Open left us all wondering again. Will 2011 be more of the same, or will Berdych put it together consistently?

WATCH OUT FOR THESE GUYS!

Can Querrey and Isner make some noise in Melbourne?

Sam Querrey/John Isner

Sam and John are big boys with off the wall serve, darn good groundstrokes, they move well for their height and are capable of playing on all surfaces. They both look to attack and are very comfortable at the net.

Isner was an All-American tennis player at the University of Georgia and by all accounts his time at college was well spent. He was at the center of one of the most historic matches of all time last year at Wimbledon, but I don’t think he wants to be remembered for that.

Both men hold their own well against the top guys, but can they win a Grand Slam? I am not sure.

Mardy Fish

Every time you feel his time is up, Mardy will come up with a big win. His two-handed backhand is one of the very best and he is extremely aggressive. His forehand has improved, he has a big serve and is a very sound volleyer. The US needs him to come through with a big tournament.

Stanislas Wawrinka

Wawrinka stated that he is ready to get down to business in 2011, and we will have to see how that pans out. He and his wife have recently separated and he has added Peter Lundgren as his coach. These are some big changes, and they will have a significant impact on the way he plays. No one has ever doubted his physical talents, but sometimes his mind goes in all directions.

Ernests Gulbis

What can I say? He is a very dangerous player with all sorts of weapons, but he comes and goes.

Marin Cilic

Never, never count him out. He can play against any player, but seems to get to a high point and then flame out. I’ll be keeping a close eye on him in 2011.

Richard Gasquet

The years are rolling on and we can no longer call him “someone to watch out for in the future.” It’s time for Gasquet to step up to the plate and demonstrate his talents consistently.

YOUNG AND DANGEROUS

Kei Nishikori

Kei has been a student at the IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy since he was 13-years old. He is a shot-maker with brilliant speed and a flair for the dramatic. He was on a roll and all of Japan was behind him as he became not only one of the best Japanese males to play, but he was also starting to beat some of the top men in the world. His run to the top came to a sudden halt when he injured his elbow and was basically out for a year.

He is now back and looking good and has a new look and team which includes the ugliest technical tennis player I have ever known: Brad Gilbert (he sure knew how to win though!). Glenn Weiner (his former traveling coach of two years) did one heck of a job, but there comes a time when change is a must. In addition to Brad, Bollettieri Academy coach Dante Bottini will be on the road with Kei.

Kei is already off to a great start in 2011 with wins over world #14 Marin Cilic and Alejandro Falla in Chennai. If he stays healthy, I feel very optimistic he will have a banner year.

Ryan Harrison is the new hope for American tennis.

Ryan Harrison

Ryan and the entire Harrison family live and train at the IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy. At the age of 18, Ryan’s performance at the 2010 US Open vaulted him into another level of play and stardom. His style of play includes a huge Bollettieri forehand, steady two-handed backhand, very aggressive 1^st and 2^nd serve, attacking game style, excellent movement and physically prepared to battle the higher ranked players.

It’s very important for Ryan to control his emotions and listen to his new coach, Martin Damm, because that could make a huge difference in the rest of his career. I am looking for big things from Ryan in 2011 and beyond and I really enjoy working with him and his father, Pat, here at the Academy.

Richard Berankis

Berankis is another student of the IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy and he and his coach, Remigijus Balzekas (a top Lithuanian coach) are a perfect team. Berankis isn’t tall, but he packs a wallop with his outstanding groundstrokes and serve. He moves extremely well and players very aggressively. Another strong point of his game is his ability to compete for every single point – he fights like a lion! He is currently the youngest player in the top 100 and has shown the ability to compete with the top pros. I look for big things from him this year.

DARKHORSES

Ivo Karlovic

Karlovic is coming back from an Achilles tendon injury that kept him out of action for much of 2010. He spent his Holiday Break training at the IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy with his team and he looks to be in good shape. No one has a more dangerous serve than Karlovic and he is also a fantastic volleyer. I worked with him on his backhand during his stay and suggested that he might not want to hit every backhand with a slice. When on a roll his aggressive forehand can beat the best in the world.

P.S. He has a great support team and is a great person.

Kevin Anderson

Anderson spent some time at the Academy during the Holiday Break and he is really a great guy. Standing at 6’8”, he can serve big bombs and then capitalize on any defensive return with a very aggressive forehand and backhand. He must come in towards the net more often though to beat the best.

Xavier Malisse

He has been a favorite student of mine since he came to the IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy when he was 16 years of age. No one ever has questioned his techniques, movement and talent, but he has lacked focus at times and has also battled injuries. Just recently, Xavier told me he is really enjoying playing tennis again which is great to hear.

Andrey Golubev

He is a hard-hitter with a killer forehand and a one-handed backhand that can penetrate at any time. The serve is good, but his percentages go down when the pressure is on.

Viktor Troicki

This man is dangerous, and I mean dangerous! His serve and two-handed backhand are a lethal weapon. He can be a little off the wall at times, and sometimes his forehand can break down.

Alexandr Dolgopolov

This man is still very young, but he has very smooth strokes with a two-handed backhand. He is fast, fast, fast, but still might need a year of playing before winning a big match.

Federer has yet to drop a set in three matches, and he looks as confident as ever. He is gliding around the court with ease and I feel he is still the favorite to win this tournament. The fans love watching Federer and how can you argue when he is playing such beautiful tennis?

Melzer is in the fourth round of the US Open for the first time in his career. It almost didn’t happen as IMG Bollettieri pro, Ricardas Berankis, nearly took him out in the second round in five sets. Melzer recovered from that match well and beat Juan Carlos Ferrero in straight sets in the third round.

Match-Up:

Federer is 1-0 against Melzer, with that win coming earlier this year in the fourth round of Wimbledon. Melzer has a big serve, is a lefty, has excellent groundstrokes and he is extremely quick on the court. He gets his racket on just about every ball which can really frustrate his opponents. He has a tendency to blow his top on occasion and if that happens, Federer will jump all over him. I am interested to see how Federer does against a lefty that will hit cross-courts at his backhand throughout the match. Federer is playing aggressively, changing the temp with this slice, moving well and coming in when he can. He’s working with Paul Annacone now, and I think that is definitely the right guy for him. This should be a good match, but I don’t think Melzer can take out Federer right now.

Nick’s Pick – Federer in 4 sets

Mardy Fish (USA) vs. Novak Djokovic (SRB)

Fish had to go five sets to beat veteran Arnaud Clement in the third round and is looking to get back to the quarters for the second straight time. He’s already played two five set matches in this tournament and we will have to see if that has any effect when taking on someone at Djokovic’s level.

Djokovic has been to at least the quarterfinals of 9 of the last 11 Grand Slams. He was the runner up here in 2007 and has been to the semis the last two years. After winning a close five-setter in the opening round, Djokovic has won two straight set matches over Phillipp Petzschner and James Blake.

Match-Up:

Djokovic is 4-0 against Fish and that includes a win over him earlier this year at Indian Wells. The fan support really helped Fish in his win over Clement in the third round and they will be at it again in this match. Fish’s groundstrokes are excellent and his big serve is really flowing. He has trimmed down and I’m not sure if maybe he is too thin and that is affecting his stamina. Djokovic has some of the best groundstrokes in the game, he moves well laterally, is a great returner and loves the bright lights of NYC. His serve has been giving him a little trouble, but with the cooler weather and the winds calming I think that will help him. I have to give Djokovic the edge in this match in four sets, but the longer this goes the more it favors Fish (especially with the fans behind him). This is going to be a very interesting match, so make sure you watch it!

Nick’s Pick – Djokovic in 4 sets

Sam Querrey (USA) vs. Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI)

After dropping one set to Bradley Klahn in the first round, Querrey has won eight straight sets. He handled Nicolas Almagro in the third round, and looked extremely comfortable out there. This is a great opportunity for Querrey to reach his first career Grand Slam quarterfinal and you know the USA fans will be out in full force for him.

Wawrinka upset Andy Murray in the third round in four sets, and is into the fourth round of the US Open for the this time in his career. Like Querrey, Wawrinka is looking for his first appearance in the quarters of a Grand Slam too.

Match-Up:

Wawrinka is 1-0 against Querrey, with that win coming at Indian Wells in 2009. I watched the Wawrinka/Murray match very closely and was impressed with Wawrinka from the outset. He frustrated Murray with his shot-making and he didn’t make many mistakes. We all know that Wawrinka is capable of playing this way, his issue it doing it consistently. Murray didn’t serve too well against Wawrinka, but you can count on Querrey serving better. He also has a huge forehand, solid backhand, and for a big guy he moves around the court well. I don’t think his groundstrokes will fail him like they did Murray and I am also worried about Wawrinka playing at the same high level. With the USA fans behind him, I like Querrey to advance in a tight match.

Nick’s Pick – Querrey in 4 sets

Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs. Feliciano Lopez (ESP)

Nadal has played some close sets in this tournament, but he has yet to drop one. He looked great against Gilles Simon in the third round, winnign over 90% of the points on his first serve. Everyone is hoping for a Federer/Nadal US Open final, but there is still a lot that can happen before that is set.

Lopez was up 6-3, 4-0 when Sergiy Stakhovsky retired in the third round. This is his second appearance in the fourth round of the US Open and if he wins here it would be his first US Open quarterfinal and only the third Grand Slam quarterfinal of his career.

Match-Up:

Nadal is 5-2 against Lopez, but did lose to him earlier this year on grass at Queen’s Club. I can’t wait to see these two powerful Spanish lefties go at it! Lopez has had some success against Nadal in the past and he comes in serving brilliantly. He had the serve up over 135 mph against Stakhovsky and he also places it really well. I am not sure if Lopez needs to vary his serve throughout this match, because when playing another lefty it negates his ability to hit the wide serve on the ad side. There is no doubt that Lopez needs to win points quickly because there is no one better during rallies than Nadal. If I was Lopez’s coach, I will tell him to come in and press the issue a bit. He can’t stay back and pound with Nadal – that’s not a winning strategy. This will be a great match, and I look for Nadal to advance in four sets.

Nick’s Pick – Nadal in 4 sets

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

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) vs. Juan Monaco (ARG)

Tsonga is playing in only his second French Open, and for the first time he is out of the opening round. He needed four sets to beat fellow Frenchman Julien Benneteau, and I agree with Mats Wilander who says that Tsonga is a potential Grand Slam winner.

Monaco advanced to the second round of the French Open for the first time since 2007 when he advanced to the fourth round. He is a very good clay-court player, and just recently reached the quarters in Rome.

Match-up:

Tsonga is 1-0 against Monaco with that win coming earlier this year in the first round at the Aussie Open. Monaco knows how to win on clay. He moves well, has excellent groundstrokes, and is extremely comfortable on the surface. Against Tsonga, he is going to need more than that though. Tsonga can do all of those things, and he does them a little better and with more power. The key for Tsonga is going to be staying healthy and keeping his focus. If he can do those two things he will be fine, especially with the crowd behind him.

Nick’s Pick – Tsonga in 4 sets

Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR)

Djokovic only needed to play 13 games in his first round match because Nicolas Lapentti was forced to retire with an injury. He should be well-rested and ready to roll in this match. He has had excellent results on clay this year, reaching the finals in Monte Carlo and Rome and winning the title in Belgrade. Every time he has lost on clay this year it has been to Nadal; he cannot let that effect him going forward.

Stakhovsky came through qualifying and won his first match against Argentine Brian Dabul in four sets. He comes into the tournament ranked #110 in the world and has reached the quarters of two tournaments this year. This is his first appearance in the main draw of the French Open.

Match-up:

This is the first career meeting between the 22-year old Djokovic and the 23-year old Stakhovsky. This match is certainly on Djokovic’s racket as he is the clear favorite to advance. Skathovsky has a big game and is a big guy (6’4”). He is going to have to hit out and go for his shots whenever he has a chance. He cannot sit back and wait for Djokovic to make mistakes, he has to force the issue all the time. Stakhovsky certainly has the potential to make Djokovic work, but I like Djokovic in straight sets.

Nick’s Pick – Djokovic in 3 sets

Gilles Simon (FRA) vs. Robbie Kendrick (USA)

Simon needed five tough sets to get by American Wayne Odesnik in the opening round. Now, he gets a second American in Robbie Kendrick. A win here would put him in the third round of the French Open for the first time in his career.

Kendrick also went five sets in the first round, bearing German qualifier Daniel Brands 6-7(7), 7-5, 7-6(11), 4-6, 6-3. This is only his second appearance at the French Open and it marks the first time he has gotten out of the opening round.

Match-Up:

Simon is 1-0 against Kendrick, with that win coming a couple of weeks ago on clay at Estoril. Despite Simon’s lack of success at Roland Garros and his tough first round match he is still my pick to win this battle. Both men play a similar style as they have excellent groundstrokes, move well, and have good serves. Overall, Simon is just more accustomed to the clay and much more consistent then Kendrick is. To have a chance, Kendrick needs to win this match quickly because the longer it goes the more it favors Simon.

Nick’s Pick – Simon in 4 sets

Stan Wawrinka (SUI) vs. Nicolas Massu (CHI)

Wawrinka had a marathon match in the first round, ousting Frenchman Nicolas Devilder in just about four hours. Wawrinka is having a solid clay-court season so far, reaching the semis in Monte Carlo (where he beat Federer) and he advanced to the Round of 16 in Madrid. He is looking to get back to the third round of the French Open for the third time in his career.

In what is becoming a common theme here between these four players, Massu also needed five sets to reach the second round. The former top-ten player beat Daniel Koellerer 6-3, 6-4, 1-6, 2-6, 6-3 and with a win he will reach the third round for the first time since 2006.

Match up:

Wawrinka and Massu are 1-1 against each other, but they haven’t played since 2005. Wawrinka did beat Massu at Roland Garros in the first round in 2005. Massu is definitely getting up there in years, but has always been an excellent clay-courter (has won five titles on the surface). The problem he will face in this match is that he cannot really hurt Wawrinka with his groundstrokes. Wawrinka is too powerful for Massu and can do a little bit of everything very well. Massu will definitely challenge Wawrinka, but in the end I look for Stan to be “The Man!”

Nick’s Pick – Wawrinka in 4 sets

Roger Federer (SUI) vs. Marat Safin (RUS)

Federer cruised in the second round, defeating Evgeny Korolev 6-2, 6-3, 6-1. So far, so good for Federer as he looks to tie Pete Sampras’ record for the most Grand Slam singles titles. The road is about to get a little tougher though as Safin is rolling into town.

Speaking of Safin, you have got to love the guy! He is definitely one of my favorites, even though you never can be too sure as to what you are going to get from him.

The Match-Up:

Federer is 9-2 against Safin, but one of those losses came back in 2005 in the semis of the Aussie Open. That was a classic battle with Safin coming out ahead 9-7 in the fifth set. If we get anything like that match we are in for a treat. No one will ever question Safin’s technical ability on the court. He has the offensive firepower to beat anyone; he just has a difficult time focusing the whole time. However, Federer is an inspiration to his opponents. Players get pumped up to face him and I am sure Safin will be ready. Federer must not underestimate Safin’s ability, because if he does this could be close.

Nick’s Pick – Federer in 4 sets

Andy Roddick (USA) vs. Fabrice Santoro (FRA)

Roddick survived a tough match against NBTA alum Xavier Malisse in the second round, and will now face another tough opponent in Fabrice Santoro.

Santoro is unbelievable. There is not much else I can say about this 36-year old magician. All I know is that when he leaves the game, there will be a whole that cannot be filled in. He will be sorely missed.

The Match-Up:

Roddick is 3-1 against Santoro, and beat him in the first round of the 2008 US Open in straight sets. Before the tournament began, Roddick’s new coach, Larry Stefanki, had Roddick lose 15 pounds. It looks as though this is really helping him stay in the long rallies (which he will need against Santoro). Also, Roddick’s backhand continues to look better than ever before and we all know how good his serve is. Roddick knows Santoro had to go five sets in his previous match and don’t think he isn’t going to try and work him hard. Be careful though, Santoro knows how to frustrate the best of them and Roddick cannot let Santoro’s “junk” throw him off. I know Santoro is the magician, but even the best wizards sometimes run out of tricks.

Nick’s Pick – Roddick in 4 sets

Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs. Tommy Haas (GER)

Nadal has cruised through the first two rounds, losing a total of 11 games in six sets. He has added to his already stellar game and looks as healthy as ever. If Nadal continues on this pace, it could be another unbelievable year for the young man.

Haas has been with me at the Academy for 18 years. He spent some time with me right before the Aussie Open and it appears as though the things we worked on are paying handsome dividends.

The Match-Up:

Nadal is 3-0 against Haas in his career, and beat him once last year in Cincinnati. When Tommy was at the Academy before the Aussie began he was hitting very well, but everything was flat and waist high which was putting him on the defensive all the time. We worked on hitting heavy balls that kept his opponent back and allowed him to add more variety to his game. At the same time, Nadal has added to his game with a penetrating, flat forehand and an improved serve. If Haas can mix it up, hitting slices, angled shots, and placing his serve well then he will be right in this match. Nadal is going to get everything back, and Haas needs to accept that and just worry about what he can control. I feel that Haas is going to give Nadal one heck of a challenge, but in the end the edge goes to the Spaniard.

Nick’s Pick – Nadal in 4 sets

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) vs. Dudi Sela (ISR)

Tsonga had some back pain in his dramatic four-set victory over Ivan Ljubicic in the second round. He didn’t call for the trainer, but was clearly in some pain and even talked about it after the match. Hopefully, a day off will help him recover.

Sela is into the third round of the Aussie Open for the first time in his career. The 5’9″ Israeli spent some time at the Academy when he was younger and is one heck of a competitor.

The Match-Up:

Tsonga is 1-0 against Sela, with that win coming at Indian Wells last year. The fans love Tsonga because every moment he is on the court you are getting entertainment. He plays a very aggressive game, using a big forehand and excellent movement to control points. Sela is quick, smart, and plays from the baseline. He has an excellent one-handed backhand that he can hit down-the-line and on-the-run. If Tsonga can stay healthy and keep himself composed mentally then he should win this match.

Nick’s Pick – Tsonga in 4 sets

Other matches of interest:

Here are some of the other matches that I will be keeping my eye on during the first round.

Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) vs. Mardy Fish (USA) – Anytime Baghdatis is playing you have to watch. The guy is pure entertainment and with his history down under, watch out! Also, it’s nice to see Fish playing solid tennis. The US can really use him right now.

Amer Delic (USA) vs. Novak Djokovic (SRB) – Delic is an inspiration to every kid in the US. He went to college and now look, he is competing at the top level. Djokovic is 1-0 against Delic, but needed four sets to beat him. Keep an eye on this match to see if Delic can continue his stellar play or if the Djoker will advance.

Marin Cilic (CRO) vs. David Ferrer (ESP) – This should be an interesting match just because Cilic is 6’6″ and Ferrer is 5’9″! Ferrer is very smart and extremely quick. He is going to have to use both of those assets to compete with the all-around game that Cilic possesses. I know Ferrer is the higher ranked player, but it feels like this is Cilic’s match to lose.

Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) vs. Tomas Berdych (CZE) – Berdych is 3-2 against Wawrinka, but they have never faced in a Grand Slam. Both of these guys are around the same age and have been ranked in the top ten. It seems like we keep waiting on Berdych to do something great; well there is no time like the present!

James Blake (USA) vs. Igor Andreev (RUS) – Blake’s backhand looks fantastic, his forehand is rocking, and he has been in control of the points for both of his previous matches. Now, he gets a tough opponent in Andreev. I think Blake will pull it out, but he has to be patient and wait for his chances to attack.

Radek Stepanek (CZE) vs. Fernando Verdasco (ESP) – This is a rematch from a couple of weeks ago when Stepanek beat Verdasco in three sets in the finals of Brisbane. Both players are playing excellent tennis thus far in 2009, and it will be interesting to see who takes this match. Stepanek cannot stay back at the baseline, he must come in some and catch Verdasco off-guard.

Mario Ancic (CRO) vs. Gilles Simon (FRA) – Ancic is 1-0 against Simon, beating him at the 2009 Masters Series tournament in Miami. We all know how good Ancic can be if he is 100% healthy, and he just had to go five sets with Karlovic so that may take a toll on him. Simon has the guns to win this match, so this one could go the distance.

Men’s Draw

Can Ivo Karlovic make some noise down under?

Let’s start by taking a look at the top half of the draw. The big guns are Nadal, Murray, and Tsonga, but you’ve also got a very good group with players such as Simon, Blake, Verdasco, Stepanek, Karlovic, Monfils, and Gasquet. Any one of the guys has the capability of making a deep run in this tournament. The tough part about the top half of the draw is that it also contains an excellent crop of unseeded players like veterans Tommy Haas, Lleyton Hewitt, Guillermo Canas, Nicolas Kiefer, Mikhail Youzhny, Mario Ancic, and Arnaud Clement, as well as top up-and-comers Kei Nishikori and Ernests Gulbis. Basically, the top half of the draw is loaded with talent.

Interesting first round match-ups on the top half:

• The first match that stands out to me on the top half pits hometown favorite Lleyton Hewitt against perennial top-tenner Fernando Gonzalez. Neither player is playing the way they were a couple of years ago, but this has should be good nonetheless. Gonzalez is 3-2 against Hewitt all-time, and beat him at this tournament back in 2007.
• Another one with intrigue will be between Nicolas Kiefer and Guillermo Canas. These two vets are 1-1 against each other, and both have faired well down here in the past. Kiefer is a former semifinalist, and Canas has been to the fourth round a couple of times.
• The last one that stands out to me features the runner-up from 2008, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, taking on Juan Monaco. Tsonga needs to recapture that magic he had last year if he wants to show everyone that he deserves to be seeded fifth, while Monaco has been ranked as high as #14 in the world (just last year). Neither guy has played each other before, but Monaco is certainly capable of winning this match.

“What-if’s”:

• Nadal’s first big test could come in the third round against a player like Tommy Haas or Dmitry Tursunov. Haas has to get by a tough opponent in the opening round in Eduardo Schwank and then would have to beat Tursunov, but if he is playing at his level he can do both. Nadal is 3-0 against Haas, with all of those wins coming on hard courts.
• Everyone wants to know what Andy Murray is going to do down under, and like Nadal his first real challenge could come in the third round. Murray could face 19-year old Japanese sensation Kei Nishikori, if Kei can pull of an upset of Jurgen Melzer in the opener and then win his second round. That would be the first match between the two, but I have a feeling it won’t be the last for these young men.
• The highest seeded American on the top half, James Blake, could face Tsonga in the fourth round. That would really be an exciting match to watch, and Tsonga is 1-0 against Blake in his career.
• Let’s say the seeds hold out and we get Tsonga vs. Murray and Nadal vs. Simon in the quarterfinals. Both would be excellent matches, and I know most people would be hoping to see a Murray vs. Nadal semi. That could be one of the matches of the tournament.

Ok, let’s move on to the bottom half of the men’s draw. I don’t think it is quite as strong as the top half with the same amount of talent from top to bottom, but it isn’t easy either. First off, you’ve got Federer and Djokovic along with other contenders such as Andy Roddick and Juan Martin Del Potro. Below them there is a good group of guys like Nalbandian, Robredo, Mathieu, Ferrer, and Wawrinka. What you don’t have is the depth of outstanding veterans that you have on the top, but there are some good young players like Marin Cilic, Philipp Kohlschreiber, John Isner, and Sam Querrey. The focus though will be on a possible rematch of last year’s semi when Djokovic ended Federer’s incredible run.

Interesting first round match-ups on the bottom half:

• How about a match between two talented young guys in Querrey and Kohlschreiber? Both play big, and in their one previous meeting Querrey won in straight sets. Could he pull off the “upset” in the first round?
• I can’t not talk about Taylor Dent. He will play a qualifier in the opening round and is playing in his first Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open because of a back injury. Dent has been training at the Academy and is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. I hope he can find his groove and make a little noise.
• Another American that could pull off an upset is Robby Ginepri. He faces Tomas Berdych and could definitely send the talented Czech star home early.

“What-if’s”:

• Well, the first one that pops out to me would be between Federer and the 2005 champion, Marat Safin. They could meet in the third round and anytime these two play, I know I am watching. Federer is 9-2 against Safin, but one of those two losses came right here in Australia in the semis in 2005.
• Assuming Federer gets past that match he could face another challenge in the fourth round in fellow countrymen, Stan Wawrinka. If he gets by that it could be either Del Potro or Cilic in the quarters. That would be three tough matches in a row for Federer and we will have a really good idea of what state of mind he is in after witnessing those battles.
• I’ve got to mention both Djokovic and Roddick as well. This is the first Grand Slam where Djokovic is the defending champion, and it will be interesting to see how he reacts to that. Roddick comes in with a new coach, Larry Stefanki, and looks primed for a deep run. The two could meet in the quarters and that would be a clash of the titans (and don’t forget about the 2008 US Open where Djokovic beat Roddick and then gave quite a speech afterwards).
• If the seeds hold true, then we will get to see a Djokovic/Federer rematch from last year. There is no doubt that Federer will be more determined than ever to win that match.

Women’s Draw

Well, let’s begin with the top half. You know that is where Jelena Jankovic is going to be and she is joined by her fellow countrywoman, Ana Ivanovic. Also on top are Dinara Safina, Vera Zvonareva, and talented youngsters like Caroline Wozniacki and Alize Cornet. What’s missing on the top half is one of the Williams sisters. Unfortunately for us, not so unfortunate for the other women, is that they are both on the bottom half. That means that we are not going to have an all-Williams sisters final like the classic we saw at Wimbledon.

Also on the bottom half are the Russian tandem of Dementieva and Kuznetsova, as well as Aggie Radwanska and Victoria Azarenka. All four of these girls have to be considered serious contenders to play well into the second week.

Interesting first round match-ups:

• The match that stood out to me right away pits Wozniacki versus former top-15 player Shahar Peer. The 21-year old Israeli Peer, now ranked 40 in the world, fights extremely hard and this will not be an easy match for Wozniacki.
• I’ll also being keeping a close eye on one of my students, Sabine Lisicki, as she plays 30^th-seeded Aleksandra Wozniak of Canada. The two have played twice before, with each player winning once. Lisicki made it to the third round here last year, and is ready to have a big year in 2009.
• One player that better be prepared for a possible upset is Daniela Hantuchova. She has been injured recently and is facing Australian native, Casey Dellacqua. Dellacqua made a great run to the fourth round here last year, with the help of the fans, and is always dangerous.

“What-if’s”:

• Last year’s finalist, Ana Ivanovic, is looking to bounce back into form and nothing would be sweeter for her then to get back to the finals. A big test could come in the fourth round against Wozniacki. Ivanovic is 2-0 against Wozniacki, and one of those wins came in the fourth round of last year’s Aussie Open. This would be a great rematch!
• Continuing with Ivanovic, she could have another rematch on her hands in the quarterfinals against Dinara Safina. Those two met in the finals of the French Open last year, and Ivanovic is 3-1 against her.
• The winner of the Ivanovic/Safina match could get a crack at the world’s #1 player, Jelena Jankovic in the semis. Jankovic is aiming to win her first career Grand Slam tournament, and now would be a great time for her to break through.
• Everyone will be looking forward to a possible Venus vs. Serena semifinal, but both girls need to get through their other matches. Serena has got Azarenka, Radwanska, and Kuznetsova on her side while Venus has Dementieva, Schnyder, and Pennetta. Neither girl has an easy road, but they won’t be considered underdogs in any match they play.

Overall, the women’s draw is pretty evenly balanced. It would be interesting if the semis were Jankovic/Ivanovic and Williams/Williams, with a possible rematch of the 2008 US Open final down under!

With only two weeks left to play, the race is very tight for those last spots and most of the guys are in action. Roddick is playing this week in Lyon and he won his first round match over Nicolas Mahut. Simon is also in Lyon and he has yet to play.

Del Potro, Blake, and Wawrinka are in Basel where Federer is the top seed. Wawrinka didn’t help his chances by falling in the first round to Benjamin Becker. Del Potro won his opener over George Bastl, and Blake has yet to take on his first round opponent, Nicolas Kiefer.

It is still way too far off to guess who is going to play, but it is fun to imagine. If the US gets its regulars back (Roddick, Blake, and the Bryan Brothers), they are capable of beating anyone. The fact that it is in the US will help, but anytime Federer is on the other side you never can be too sure.

These teams have met twice before with each side winning. The US won in 1992 in Texas and the Swiss team won in 2001 in Basle. Both teams have changed dramatically since then.

Other first round matches are:

Argentina vs. Holland
France vs. Czech Republic
Croatia vs. Chile
Israel vs. Sweden
Romania vs. Russia
Austria vs. Germany
Serbia vs. Spain

What match are you looking forward to?

Nick and Andy Murray

With Andy Murray qualifying for the year-ending Masters Cup championships in Shanghai, there are only four spots remaining. Murray joins Nadal, Federer, and Djokovic as the only players that have qualified thus far. Unlike the top three guys, Murray will be making his first career appearance at the Masters Cup.

“I am having my best season ever and qualifying for (Tennis Masters Cup) Shanghai is a great reward. It was one of my goals at the beginning of 2008 and I look forward to competing there for the first time,” said Murray, the first Briton to qualify for the circuit finale since Tim Henman in 2004.

There are a number of men in contention for those last remaining spots and hear is how the list looks right now:

It would appear as though Davydenko should be safe. Ferrer and Roddick are close, and everyone else is going to be battling. If those three make it in, that would only leave one spot open and then a couple of alternates. Blake, Wawrinka, and Del Potro all have played well this year and you can’t forget about a guy like Gilles Simon who just won his third title of the year.

Who do you think is going to make it in?