Monday, January 26, 2009

A quarterfinal for your thoughts?

Boy, these are exactly as I called 'em!

Marion Bartoli v. Vera Zvonareva: I might have to stop calling Bartoli "Candy". She looks to have slimmed down a touch, and she's in the quarterfinals of a major again. After she beat the fuzz off the balls against Jelena Jankovic, it's pretty clear that when she's on, she's on. But Zvonareva has been very solid lately. I think this'll be a tight one, but Zvonareva will come out of top. It's about time to her to make a move in a major.
Andy Roddick v. Novak Djokovic: OK, Djokovic did not look very impressive against Marcos Baghdatis. Or Amer Delic. And Andy Roddick has been firing on all cylinders at this tournament. I can't see Djokovic getting aced off a court, though, and that's all Roddick's really got. Novak in four.
Dinara Safina v. Jelena Dokic: This match should be really entertaining. Basically, it's the collision of two really good stories this tournament. It looks like Safina is really maturing these days -- digging deep when she falls behind instead of going all Marat on her racquet. And Dokic, now baggage free, is collecting her own little collection of scalps. I don't even want to call this one, because if I did, I'd have to favor Safina, and what kind of heart would I have to do something like that?
Juan Martin del Potro v. Roger Federer: Look, after watching "Houdini" Federer get out from under Tomas Berdych the other day, I can't see him losing to anyone except the big 3 (or 4. Whichever.). Del Potro's been starting his matches slowly this tournament, and he should really not try that here. Friendly suggestion. Fed in straights.

2 comments:

Zafar said...

Hi Naf...

Three out of four picks ain't half bad!

I've no doubt whatsoever that Djoko was affected by the heat - trouble is he's pulled out so many times in the past, it's likely to be badly received.

A disproportionate number of bagels for a set of QFs though don't you think? Not that surprised by the Del Potro result - guys a little too one dimensional for my liking: exactly the of player a resurgent Federer enjoys playing.

Naf said...

Hey, TopSpin! Yeah, I wasn't going to brag, but it is pretty impressive, right? :)
Djokovic did have that reputation, but there were a lot of players having issues in this heat, so he might get a bye. I think that generally, he's past that phase in his career.
Fed's sure looking like he's approaching that great form again, a real turnaround after the Berdych match. I did think del Potro would give at least some resistance, though.