Neither tournament interests me much as both are Tiev IV tournaments it is unlikely many of my favourite will be there.
In ECM prague I wish Krajicek and Azarenka to do well but I don't think they will win.
Oh and also commenting on a few weeks back, I was so happy when Kirilenko won both singles and doubles titles.
In Morocco I hope the British girls do well, Baltacha and O'Brien but they are unlikely to win. I hope Dulko can win as she has a chance.
Sunday 27 April 2008
Mens Draws next week
The Open 2008 Sabadell Atlantico begins and their is a good draw of players but lacking in top 20 ones.
Nadal is clear favourite here and headlines the draw, Carlos Moya will be his possible Quatre final opponent. Blake and Murray are in the second group. Tursunov and Ancic will also be here so I'll be cheering for them. I hope Murray can win this as he needs a boost in rankings.
Then we have Nalbandian's draw and Ferrer and Robredo, It is a good field generally though lacking in many of my favourite players. Hope Murray will do well.
In the BMW open on the other hand I hope Monfils, Haas and Safin find form.
Nadal is clear favourite here and headlines the draw, Carlos Moya will be his possible Quatre final opponent. Blake and Murray are in the second group. Tursunov and Ancic will also be here so I'll be cheering for them. I hope Murray can win this as he needs a boost in rankings.
Then we have Nalbandian's draw and Ferrer and Robredo, It is a good field generally though lacking in many of my favourite players. Hope Murray will do well.
In the BMW open on the other hand I hope Monfils, Haas and Safin find form.
Monte Carlo
Well I'm slightly dissapointed with the results because it is another Federer/ Nadal final, however Federer hasn't shown great form like he normally does as he nearly lost in his 2nd round match. Monfils is showing some form so hopefully he'll continue his form (but the match against Federer was bad). I'm sad Haas retired as he seems to be the next Safin! Anyway Nalbandian looked strong and I thought he was likely to beat Federer, overall he did well.
The thing with Murray is he always has this hype around him in Britain and how people say he will win etc but then he loses terribly. He will be a less successful Andy Roddick in my opinion meaning he will be a good player but always have someone above him. Richard Gasquet did Ok but I would really have wanted to see him play Djokovic.
I'm upset Youzhny went out through retiring as he has an easier draw compared to some, Also dissapointed with Dmitry Tursunov. I really hope Safin will find his form again even though he's getting on age and will soon retire. Also congrats to Ancic! Anyway another Nadal and Federer final - who will win?
The thing with Murray is he always has this hype around him in Britain and how people say he will win etc but then he loses terribly. He will be a less successful Andy Roddick in my opinion meaning he will be a good player but always have someone above him. Richard Gasquet did Ok but I would really have wanted to see him play Djokovic.
I'm upset Youzhny went out through retiring as he has an easier draw compared to some, Also dissapointed with Dmitry Tursunov. I really hope Safin will find his form again even though he's getting on age and will soon retire. Also congrats to Ancic! Anyway another Nadal and Federer final - who will win?
Friday 11 April 2008
Agnes Szavay
After looking into Marion's performance - or lack of. I decided to look into another player and that was Agnes Szavay who has done even worse! She is a perfect example of too much hype too soon. She performed fantastically (as a first year in GS) last year but this year she has paled in comparison.
Lost at Gold Coast first round to rank 123 Yuliana Fedak. Then lost in the Australian open to ranked 110 Ekaterina Makarova. It seems both Marion and Agnes performed better at Paris - must be a jinx. She then lost first round in Antwerp again to a player outside of the top 100. First round losses in Doha and Dubai against two Japanese players. Then lost in Bangalore to Amanmuradova and in Miami lost to Vesnina. Besides Paris she hasn't played a great player but has still lost so many matches 5-8 win loss record. I was actually starting to like her at the end of last year but she has quickly dropped out of my favourites after such an apalling performance, this is where Bartoli ought to be (near the bottom of the top 20- actually both should be outside top 30!)
whilst on this post I going to talk about Petrova as well.
Petrova 3-7 win loss record (what the hell!)
Losses to Garbin,Bammer,K.Bondarenko,Garrigues,Srebotnik and Zheng. Other than in the Australian Open she has lost in every first match she has played!
Sometimes I just hate the ranking system for preserving the dignity of some of the worst players this year!
Lost at Gold Coast first round to rank 123 Yuliana Fedak. Then lost in the Australian open to ranked 110 Ekaterina Makarova. It seems both Marion and Agnes performed better at Paris - must be a jinx. She then lost first round in Antwerp again to a player outside of the top 100. First round losses in Doha and Dubai against two Japanese players. Then lost in Bangalore to Amanmuradova and in Miami lost to Vesnina. Besides Paris she hasn't played a great player but has still lost so many matches 5-8 win loss record. I was actually starting to like her at the end of last year but she has quickly dropped out of my favourites after such an apalling performance, this is where Bartoli ought to be (near the bottom of the top 20- actually both should be outside top 30!)
whilst on this post I going to talk about Petrova as well.
Petrova 3-7 win loss record (what the hell!)
Losses to Garbin,Bammer,K.Bondarenko,Garrigues,Srebotnik and Zheng. Other than in the Australian Open she has lost in every first match she has played!
Sometimes I just hate the ranking system for preserving the dignity of some of the worst players this year!
Marion Bartoli
I have promised a post dedicated to Bartoli and this will be the time I slag off her record - for Bartoli fans turn away now!
Lets look at her win loss record this year 5-7, how can such a bad record be worth a top 10 or even anything close (ok she's currently 11th but that isn't the point - players below her have a much better record, I have stated that Nicole is having a bad year but she still manages to pull of a 11-6 record!).
Now lets look at her GS. What an aweful site. Her best performance in the Aussies are 2r then if we exclude last years Roland Garros yet again her best would be 2r. In this record the Wimbledon final seems to be a misprint to be honest!
I'm amazed she ever won a junior GS!
Lets have a detailed look into her "achievements" this year. In Sydney (Tier II) she was the 7th seed. In the end she lost to Francesca Schiavone (lets skip the win against Justine - her year hasn't been great (I mean Schiavone)).
Then in the Australian Open she lost to Sofia Arvidsson in the first round! How many top 10 seeds haven't been further than R2 of any of the GS.
I have to say Paris was one of her highlights but she should have done well as she was the third seed.
Then another first match loss against Caroline Wozniacki (6-2,6-3) She for some reason still earns prize money for that! Dubai saw yet another first round loss to Schiavone again!
Indian Wells was difficult as she is nowhere near the standard of Davenport (even though she is probably in her worse state in years). Then we have Miami where she loses in straight sets to Caroline Wozniacki again. I just don't understand how all these bad results gets her prize money worth $100,000 and a top 20 ranking! In total she has lost 4 times in her first match in only 7 tournaments!
Lets look at her win loss record this year 5-7, how can such a bad record be worth a top 10 or even anything close (ok she's currently 11th but that isn't the point - players below her have a much better record, I have stated that Nicole is having a bad year but she still manages to pull of a 11-6 record!).
Now lets look at her GS. What an aweful site. Her best performance in the Aussies are 2r then if we exclude last years Roland Garros yet again her best would be 2r. In this record the Wimbledon final seems to be a misprint to be honest!
I'm amazed she ever won a junior GS!
Lets have a detailed look into her "achievements" this year. In Sydney (Tier II) she was the 7th seed. In the end she lost to Francesca Schiavone (lets skip the win against Justine - her year hasn't been great (I mean Schiavone)).
Then in the Australian Open she lost to Sofia Arvidsson in the first round! How many top 10 seeds haven't been further than R2 of any of the GS.
I have to say Paris was one of her highlights but she should have done well as she was the third seed.
Then another first match loss against Caroline Wozniacki (6-2,6-3) She for some reason still earns prize money for that! Dubai saw yet another first round loss to Schiavone again!
Indian Wells was difficult as she is nowhere near the standard of Davenport (even though she is probably in her worse state in years). Then we have Miami where she loses in straight sets to Caroline Wozniacki again. I just don't understand how all these bad results gets her prize money worth $100,000 and a top 20 ranking! In total she has lost 4 times in her first match in only 7 tournaments!
Bausch and Lom Championships - Amelia Islands
the Quarterfinalists are all in place so lets review what has happened up until now. Maria Sharapova has been playing well but what is it with her match against Anabel Medina Garrigues - I still don't think it was Anabels performance really, more like Sharapova's flaws being emphasized. Bondarenko gets to the quarters which is nice but Safina loses which I didn't really expect against Alona. Hantuchova loses early to give Davenport an easier match whilst Szavay finally seems to have reached a good point in the year.
Cornet/Razzano isn't my idea of a quarterfinal but when you place Schnyder and Bartoli in the same group that's what you get. I think my next post will be on Bartoli extensively talking about her many losses this year! Anyway the winner I don't think will come from here.
Mauresmo seems to have found some form and she will probably reach her first final this year, hopefully she will capitalize on this weak bottom half. Chakvetadze loses again - not to my suprise but Dominika Cibulkova has been the name of the month - I'm just hearing her everywhere.
Cornet/Razzano isn't my idea of a quarterfinal but when you place Schnyder and Bartoli in the same group that's what you get. I think my next post will be on Bartoli extensively talking about her many losses this year! Anyway the winner I don't think will come from here.
Mauresmo seems to have found some form and she will probably reach her first final this year, hopefully she will capitalize on this weak bottom half. Chakvetadze loses again - not to my suprise but Dominika Cibulkova has been the name of the month - I'm just hearing her everywhere.
Sony Ericsson Open Review
Slightly late on this post but I've been quite busy lately.
The top saw upsets throughout but some were expected -some were definitely a shock. Well Federer was going into this tournament without a single tournament win throughout the first 3 months, to redeem himself he would have needed to take this title (seeing his main opponent for this title Djokovic had been defeated in the early rounds). Everyone thought that this would be Federer's comeback tournament but think again.
Federer had a good start but with little opposition to be honest. Lleyton Hewitt was deafeted early by Acacuso which was unexpected and a dissapointment. Tommy Robredo the unpredictable player on the other side also lost leaving Federer with an easy opponent in the 4th round. Tsonga a player that I always said would not be able to perform like he did in the Aussies in the near future solidified my opinion by losing to Benneteau. Tsonga would never be No.1 to be honest at this rate. Roddick didn't look fine at all in getting to play Benneteau, taking a long time in both his prior matches. Federer took on an easy opponent to reach the Quarters whilst Andy Roddick had to fight for his spot. Seeing hoe bad Roddicks record against Federer was and how mediocrely he was playing it looked to be Federers win but Roddick played an inspired match to deny Federer from winning a tournament!
Davydenko was able to capitalize on this though he himself seemed to be finding it difficult to get through each round. Also in this half we saw a good performance by Mario Ancic though in the expence of Murray. Ferrer also fell early here. Tipsaveric in the end was able to reach the quatres with generally a very good performance throughout but was unable to take Davydenko losing 6-2,6-1. I also applaud Ancic as he seems to be returning to form (a possible top 20 comeback in the future).
I was overjoyed by Tursunov's sudden strike of form but sadly Gasquet had to bow down for that to occur. Other than that the biggest upset of this quarter was that Djokovic lost to a Qualifier, which left me heartbroken, I guess he isn't ready for No.1 spot just yet but I'm sure with more experience he will be a better player. I have to say Berdych's performance on scoreline looks stellar but the opponent weren't top 10, nonetheless he performed well, losing only 19 games in the 4 matches.
Nalbandian also received a shock loss but he fluctuates in performance quite often. Happy that Blake got to the quarters and played Nadal.
Overall it was a shock final for me because I never expected Davydenko to get to the finals (let alone win it) and I didn't think Nadal was ready for a Hard Court Masters win (it's very nearly a year since he has won a title!). Basically this was a great tournament as it had a lot of controversy but I just wished that the winner would have been one of my favourites!
The womens draw was by no means less exciting compared to the mens (however I preferrer by far the winner here than the mens).
Henin is starting to dissapoint me more and more I just really hope this won't be her year of demise like it is for Federer! It's not looking good for her. But lets concentrate on this tournament, she started off well with good wins (sadly Kirilenko lost in her first match again-losing hope for her).
Szavay also lost early (amazing that when I thought she was just another girl she was doing amazing - now that I think she could do well she starts failing in all tournaments).
Bondarenko also falls early. Schnyder yet again one of the players that just comes and goes! Flavia did well so I'm happy. In the end it was Justine against Serena, last year it was Justine's year but this year I just don't want to watch her demise anymore, losing 6-2,6-0 is not a pretty sight.
Yet again Bartoli loses in first round -someone get her off the top 10 for goodness sake. Probably the 10th time she lost in her first match! Krajicek also lost which is dissapointing - both Kirilenko and Krajicek are starting to dissapoint me to many times (they may drop off from my favourites list in favour of someone else -whom I'm not sure of).
In the end it's great to see Venus play well in her first few matches sadly she didn't win against Kuznetsova!
Ok now I need to know who is that Lisicki girl - I'm sure she took off another few top 10 players a few weeks ago (or is it my imagination). Anyway Chakvetadze loses again (I just hoped Nicole was playing better or she would have got into the top 10 seeing so many top 10's doing awfully.
And now I cheer on Jie Zheng who defeats Petrova (though Petrova did retire) and then Mauresmo, good on her. In the end Jankovic gets to the semis (again expected seeing such a poor field - I have to be honest everyone in her quarter were dying away)
The bottom quarter saw both Hantuchova and Ivanovic lose early which I didn't really expect for Hantuchova. I'm so sad as this was a great opportunity for Nicole but she lost (it's even harder to see her do beadly than it is for Justine!) Anyway Dinara did good which was a suprise but amazed that Davenport lost to her to be honest. Sadly I was right the undying Zvonareva strikes again and gets to the semis! (it was wierd seeing old compatriots Hantuchova play Sugiyama and then Sugiyama winning!
The top saw upsets throughout but some were expected -some were definitely a shock. Well Federer was going into this tournament without a single tournament win throughout the first 3 months, to redeem himself he would have needed to take this title (seeing his main opponent for this title Djokovic had been defeated in the early rounds). Everyone thought that this would be Federer's comeback tournament but think again.
Federer had a good start but with little opposition to be honest. Lleyton Hewitt was deafeted early by Acacuso which was unexpected and a dissapointment. Tommy Robredo the unpredictable player on the other side also lost leaving Federer with an easy opponent in the 4th round. Tsonga a player that I always said would not be able to perform like he did in the Aussies in the near future solidified my opinion by losing to Benneteau. Tsonga would never be No.1 to be honest at this rate. Roddick didn't look fine at all in getting to play Benneteau, taking a long time in both his prior matches. Federer took on an easy opponent to reach the Quarters whilst Andy Roddick had to fight for his spot. Seeing hoe bad Roddicks record against Federer was and how mediocrely he was playing it looked to be Federers win but Roddick played an inspired match to deny Federer from winning a tournament!
Davydenko was able to capitalize on this though he himself seemed to be finding it difficult to get through each round. Also in this half we saw a good performance by Mario Ancic though in the expence of Murray. Ferrer also fell early here. Tipsaveric in the end was able to reach the quatres with generally a very good performance throughout but was unable to take Davydenko losing 6-2,6-1. I also applaud Ancic as he seems to be returning to form (a possible top 20 comeback in the future).
I was overjoyed by Tursunov's sudden strike of form but sadly Gasquet had to bow down for that to occur. Other than that the biggest upset of this quarter was that Djokovic lost to a Qualifier, which left me heartbroken, I guess he isn't ready for No.1 spot just yet but I'm sure with more experience he will be a better player. I have to say Berdych's performance on scoreline looks stellar but the opponent weren't top 10, nonetheless he performed well, losing only 19 games in the 4 matches.
Nalbandian also received a shock loss but he fluctuates in performance quite often. Happy that Blake got to the quarters and played Nadal.
Overall it was a shock final for me because I never expected Davydenko to get to the finals (let alone win it) and I didn't think Nadal was ready for a Hard Court Masters win (it's very nearly a year since he has won a title!). Basically this was a great tournament as it had a lot of controversy but I just wished that the winner would have been one of my favourites!
The womens draw was by no means less exciting compared to the mens (however I preferrer by far the winner here than the mens).
Henin is starting to dissapoint me more and more I just really hope this won't be her year of demise like it is for Federer! It's not looking good for her. But lets concentrate on this tournament, she started off well with good wins (sadly Kirilenko lost in her first match again-losing hope for her).
Szavay also lost early (amazing that when I thought she was just another girl she was doing amazing - now that I think she could do well she starts failing in all tournaments).
Bondarenko also falls early. Schnyder yet again one of the players that just comes and goes! Flavia did well so I'm happy. In the end it was Justine against Serena, last year it was Justine's year but this year I just don't want to watch her demise anymore, losing 6-2,6-0 is not a pretty sight.
Yet again Bartoli loses in first round -someone get her off the top 10 for goodness sake. Probably the 10th time she lost in her first match! Krajicek also lost which is dissapointing - both Kirilenko and Krajicek are starting to dissapoint me to many times (they may drop off from my favourites list in favour of someone else -whom I'm not sure of).
In the end it's great to see Venus play well in her first few matches sadly she didn't win against Kuznetsova!
Ok now I need to know who is that Lisicki girl - I'm sure she took off another few top 10 players a few weeks ago (or is it my imagination). Anyway Chakvetadze loses again (I just hoped Nicole was playing better or she would have got into the top 10 seeing so many top 10's doing awfully.
And now I cheer on Jie Zheng who defeats Petrova (though Petrova did retire) and then Mauresmo, good on her. In the end Jankovic gets to the semis (again expected seeing such a poor field - I have to be honest everyone in her quarter were dying away)
The bottom quarter saw both Hantuchova and Ivanovic lose early which I didn't really expect for Hantuchova. I'm so sad as this was a great opportunity for Nicole but she lost (it's even harder to see her do beadly than it is for Justine!) Anyway Dinara did good which was a suprise but amazed that Davenport lost to her to be honest. Sadly I was right the undying Zvonareva strikes again and gets to the semis! (it was wierd seeing old compatriots Hantuchova play Sugiyama and then Sugiyama winning!
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