The Tennis Centre

Hamburg Final - Best Of three sets

Roger Federer SWI (1) - Rafael Nadal ESP (2)

In my opinion this will be Federer’s best chance to beat Nadal on clay this season. The Spaniard came through against Djokovic in three as I predicted but was tested to the limit both mentally and physically. The three hour long match was fantastic with at least 10 points that could be included in the collection of ’amazing point’ videos on Youtube.

Nadal will definitely feeling the after effects of that match today and the Swiss master will be much fresher having cruised through every round. If Federer goes 4-0 ahead in a set like in the Monte Carlo final I very much doubt the Spaniard will perform the same sort of fight back. I really fancy the world number one here to reclaim his title here but this will be no walkover however and Federer will need to be on top of his game attacking the Spaniard’s backhand as much as possible. A three setter could be on the cards but Federer will prevail.

Predicted Winner  :: Federer

Hamburg - Germany - Semi Finals

Roger Federer SWI (1) - Andreas Seppi ITA (43)

Federer has not been pushed in this tournament as yet and it is hard to see Seppi providing him with too much trouble here. The Italian looked very nervous a number of times during his quarter final clash with Kiefer yesterday and if the highly charged German could have kept his cool at the crucial times he would have advanced. Instead Kiefer lost focus moaning at the referee and line judges at balls that were clearly in.

To a certain extent I think that the German deserved a semi final place as he has played very well this week but he got lost in the moment. Fair play to Seppi for plugging along but against Federer he will not allowed a second chance and I think a routine straight sets win is on the cards here for the Swiss master.

Predicted Winner :: Federer

Novak Djokovic SRB (3) - Rafael Nadal ESP (2)

The biggest match of the year so far in my opinion. Can Djokovic reach number two in the world? I’m not so sure. Nadal will do everything possible to beat the Serb here to protect his ranking and I think he will pull a big performance out of the bag.

Djokovic is without question a  better player on hard but on the dirt its a different story. The Spaniard is known as an unbelievable mover, particularly on clay and I can back this up having seen him training in Monte Carlo a couple of weeks ago. He is extraordinarily quick around the court and Djokovic will have to be at the top of his game. The Serb is yet to take a set of Nadal on clay but I wouldn’t be surprised if it happened here.

The player of the year so far is full of confidence and he will surely fancy his chances as Nadal possibly isn’t 100 percent after his second round exit last week, due to a blister on his foot. With Djokovic’ solid groundstrokes we are sure to see some long rallys and he will have to keep away from Nadal’s forehand wing as much as possible as it has been devastating in recent weeks.

I think this match will be close but Nadal will come through in three.

Predicted Winner :: Nadal

Richard Gasquet’s first round match in Rome was a spectacle for all the wrong reasons.

Firstly due to various rain delays throughout day there was hardly any people watching as they had all got fed up of waiting around.

There was literally three old men and a dog watching the clash between Horna and Gasquet which made for a deadly silent atmosphere which made it quite surreal when there was absoultely no reaction to good shots.

 It was also interesting to hear what the players were actually saying when speaking to the umpire and when they got frustrated. This was particularly humourous in the Murray match later on for obvious reasons but thats another story.

Gasquet has had some bad results recently most notably losing to Sam Querrey where he was cruising at a set and a break up and I think he got complacent which allowed Querrey back into the match and then the Frenchman shattered into small pieces.

Gasquet was competitive in the first set against Horna with the Peruvian just sneaking it but the second was horrible. It was the worst set of tennis I have ever seen a professional play.

 It took about 20 minutes with Gasquet giving no effort whatsoever. He hit so many wild shots and it was like watching a ten year old who couldn’t be bothered and didn’t want to be there. He won just 7 points on serve compared with 19 in the first set.

He has clearly hit rock bottom and it was not nice to see such a talented player deliver a performance like this and I hope that he sorts himself out in time for the French Open.

ATP Barcelona Final Clay

Rafael Nadal (2) - David Ferrer (5)

My tip Nadal won the Monte Carlo Masters last week beating Federer in straight sets. He gave chances to Federer however the Swiss master was unable to capitalise particularly in the second set where he was 4-0 up.

 It was interesting to see Nadal not having the upper hand in the match on a few occasions for example when going a break down twice in the first set, but he broke back immediately each time and he showed when really needing a game he can turn on the style. I think Federer certainly has the game to trouble the Spaniard on this surface but he would need to play a near flawless match.

Ferrer is obviously a very different player when compared with Federer and I’m not sure his battling style of play is capable of beating Rafa. To beat Nadal you simply have to do more than just battle as he will battle just as hard. Ferrer doesnt really have the power or accuracy in his groundstrokes to trouble the World Number 2 and you can be sure there will be a few long rallys in this match.

The only similarity between Federer and Ferrer is that they were both a double break up against Nadal in the second set in their most recent matches and both times Nadal rallied back to win the respective sets 7-5. This shows Nadal’s level of grit and determination and if he is going to lose a set on this surface he will not let it pass easily.

It has to be noted that Nadal is in fact yet to lose a set this clay court season and the only thing that is ever going to stop him winning every match is physical condition.

However he is looking 100 percent here and I think I routine straight sets win is on the cards here.

Predicted Winner :: Nadal

ATP Munich BMW Open

Fernando Gonzalez ( 15 ) - Simone Bolelli ( 58 )

Bolelli came back from the dead against Mathieu who is not on particularly good form at the moment. I have been waiting for Gonzalez to finally show some form and the time is now for the Chilean.

A short time a go I tipped Gonzalez to do well in the Sony Ericsson Open and said:  

“Fernando Gonzalez did not make the most of his draw losing in two tight sets to Canas so I will be kept waiting for the Chilean to hit the form in which he is virtually an unstoppable force and it just a matter of time before he gets back into the top ten.”

Well I think Gonzalez will be able to win his first title of the season here as he has looked quite comfortable on the clay this week. Bolelli has shown in recent performances that he is no mug but the quality of the ‘Gonzo’ serve and forehand coupled with his experience should be the telling factors in this match but don’t be surprised if this goes to three sets.

Predicted Winner :: Gonzalez

Best of three sets - Clay

Final

Roger Federer (1) SWI - Rafael Nadal (2) ESP

I tipped Nadal to win this tournament and he has cruised through the rounds so far. His battling displays have been impressive on his favourite surface and its going to take a seriously flawless performance from Federer to stop him winning his first title of the season. The interesting point is that the Swiss master has actually played near flawless tennis in his last two matches which makes for a thrilling prospect.

Nalbandian was brushed aside easily after he lost the first set and Djokovic is going back old ways as he retired in the second set as Federer was dominating him. His reason for retiring was that he hadn’t been well for three days. Well this obviously didn’t effect him against Querrey two days earlier and I think this makes Djoko look weak. Federer did not look at all impressed when the Serb came over to him to shake his hand.

Federer must have some belief back after coming back from 5-1 down in the third in his first round match and he really looks fired up here. This is why I think this match will be very close and most probably go to three sets. I feel if Federer gets his tactics right, for example not trying to beat Nadal from the  back of the court and mixes his play up he could unsettle the Spaniard. Moving into the net is an essential tactic here so he can avoid long drawn out points which Rafa revels in.

However overall I still feel this match is Nadal’s to lose as he has been on quite stunning form this week himself and there was a point against Davydenko yesterday which said everything about his character and ability on clay. He was sent wide by the Russian and Rafa attempted a pass down the line which Davydenko drop volleyed. The Spaniard then ran from one side of the court to the other and got the ball just as it was about to touch the ground and he passed Davydenko at the net. I couldn’t believe my eyes as Nadal had absolutely no right to get to that ball.

If Nadal replicated this sort of grit and desire against Federer he will be picking up his first title of the season.

Predicted Winner :: Nadal

Former world number one Gustavo Kuerten said goodbye to Monte Carlo in slightly embarassing fashion as he was dominated 61 62 by Ivan Ljubicic in 51 minutes.

This will be Kuerten’s last year of competitve tennis and he is hoping to play in tournaments which have sentimental value to him with the help of wild cards.

However on this showing ‘Guga’ may as well retire now as he is simply nowhere near the standard required to compete.

Many people are debating whether he deserves wild cards into tournaments as there are far more active players who are having to come through qualifying. 

If Kuerten did have to enter qualifying rounds I’m pretty sure he would not make it into the main draw as he is completely out of touch and his movement around the court is now poor.

There is no doubt that Kuerten is one of the best clay courters of all time and maybe this alone should allow him wild card entries but if he is to lose this badly every time his reputation will surely be tarnished.

 Why would he want people to remember him as the old boy who tried to return to the tour for one last year but was no good anymore?

I think an appearance at each of his favourite tournaments possibly addressing a crowd before a big match would be far more suitable than getting beaten easily.

This really was a painful match to watch and I’m sure if Ljubicic had wanted to win 6/0 6/0 he could have done. 

I say this because Ljubicic simply cruised through this contest hardy breaking sweat and I’m sure he felt a bit sorry for the 31 year old Brazilian.

Kuerten did not win his three games on the scoreboard, Ljubicic lost them. This was particularly evident when the Brazilian was serving at 5-1 down in the second set and Ljubo made four wild errors to hand him an extra game.

Title Prediction

My prediction for the winner of this Masters Series is Rafael Nadal. He has not won a tournament this year despite his good form. Back on his favourite surface, Nadal should have too much class for the rest of the field.

My tip Nikolay Davydenko retired at 2-1 up in the second set in the final of the Estoril Open.

This is a disappointing outcome for this match particularly as the Russian was playing so well and a break up. He looked uncomfortable towards the end of the first set and I suspected that he may be about to retire. In the post match interview he did not sight a reason however he had been having trouble with his groin earlier in the week due to playing so many matches this year.

 It was a very even match and Federer sneaked a first set tie break by 7 points to 5 but was then broken in the first game of the second set after some strong hitting by Davydenko.

Despite losing, Davydenko won 56 out of 111 points and Federer won 55 out of 111 and had the world number four been fit I think he would have gone on to win.

Credit must be given to Davydenko for playing despite not being 100 percent and he certainly put up a good fight with Federer failing to break his serve.

Roger Federer (1) SWI - Nikolay Davydenko (4) RUS

Davydenko has not beaten Federer in 11 meetings and if he is ever going to defeat him its going to be here. The Russian is very much on form at the moment where as Federer is not looking at his best and has struggled through matches on the dirt. He was broken three times in his match against Denis Gremelmayr which is far from impressive considering the German’s world ranking of 104.

 Davydenko’s game is suited to clay as he is machine like when hitting from the back of the court. Federer on the other hand has had trouble adjusting to the surface as shots that would be winners on hard courts are now coming back and as a result he is making too many un-forced errors.

I think this match could easily go to three sets as Federer will without a doubt raise his game but I favour the consistent Davydenko to win his 12th consecutive match.

Predicted winner :: Davydenko

Roger Federer is currently sporting a rather large lump on the right side of his face which is spoiling the world number one’s smooth style. 

Here are some possible explanations for the spot. ::

1. A bee sting

2. A pimple

3. A skin infection

4. The result of girlfriend Mirka hitting him with her hand bag…

Whatever the reason at least we know that Fed is human after all. Today he reached the final of the Estoril Open in Portugal struggling past World number 104 Denis Gremelmayr 26 75 61 where he will play Nikolay Davydenko as I predicted.

To see more of Federer look here where I have reveiwed his current clothing.

Nikolay Davydenko was involved in a very interesting match against Ivo Minar in the Estoril Open round of 16.

Clay court season is now upon us and there is no-one in better form than Davydenko who’s superior movement and baseline play ensures he as no trouble in adjusting to the dirt.

He got the job done here surprisingly in three sets 26 62 64 against the world number 72 and I felt that in 90 percent of the match he played well but in the other 10 percent he was a bit shaky. 

In the first set he was dominated by the hard hitting and serving of Minar and only won a pathetic 5 out of 21 points when receiving. When serving the Russian number one only won 50% of points which is another very poor statistic. A very ‘off’ set.

But predictably Minar was never going to be able to keep up this domination and Davydenko raised his game and played some excellent tennis from the back of the court in the second set as he began to take control of the match.

He then breezed into a 4-1 lead in the third set, a double break of serve and it looked as if he would cruise into the next round.

However Davydenko completely lost his way in the next three games, being broken twice by the plucky Minar and it was back to 4-4.

The Russian no longer had the ability to hit a first serve in the games he was broken and I think he showed a certain degree of mental weakness here when in such a commanding lead. This should not be happening to the number four player in the world.

Fortunately for Davydenko he is such a skilled player off the ground that he broke Minar in the next game and then had a much smoother service game to move in to the quarter finals.

 I find it weird how he seemed to switch on and off in this match and this wasn’t a brilliant performance however a world class player has the ability to win even when not playing his or her best and Davydenko certainly used that skill here.

He appeared to have particular problems on his second serve today with only 9 out of 28 points won and also 4 double faults.

This match displayed a slight dip in form however he still played some very good shots against Minar, who kept fighting even when two breaks down and nearly came back from the most unlikely situation.

Despite this below par performance I think Davydenko could advance into the final where he will surely play Federer who has no player of any note in his half. A potential tricky semi final against Giles Simon awaits the Russian however on his  current match winning form he can defeat anyone. If the ideal final takes place between the number one and two seed, Davydenko has the momentum to win his second title this year.