Archive - 2 Heads R Better Than 1

Predictions - Roland Garros 2007

by zarlee ^Pro @ Thursday, May. 24, 2007 – 02:59:01 pm

Looking Ahead for another Federer Nadal Showdown

We're not even gonna front about it!

This is Roland Garros; second Grand Slam of the year. Federer and Nadal have again proven to be the best contenders for the title coming of a successful claycourt run (Nadal winning three titles and Federer capturing one) They are both ranked at # 1 & 2 And! they are our favourites

So! lets take a look at our draws (that never fails to get us laughing ...yeah we're sooo mature!). Here's the link to the men's singles draw so you can take a look for yourself
http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/scores/draws/ms/msdraw.pdf

Firstly lets go over to Federer's quarter (click on image to enlarge)

With his confidence level raised ther's no reason that the Fed Express should be de-railed in the early rounds. However, with the French crowd behind him Benneteau might stir things up a bit .

Technically, Federer should play Mikhail Youzhny in the 4th round... but we all know these things don't always go according to plan. Fed would most likely meet Ferrero: a player who hasn't given much trouble in the clay-court lead-up this season, but he's a Grench Open champion and a former world #1 nonetheless. With a best of five set match Ferrero may be able to find his way into the game, so look out for a possible four setter with a tight 4th set... but we still think Fed will pull through what should be his first real test.

Look for the Italian Filippo Volandri to upset Ljubicic. This little section of the quarter seems to favour Safin making his way through to the quarters: the only person standing in Safin's way is Safin (as is usually the case!). That being said, Tommy Robredo from Spain will probably pull through to the quarters.

Nikolay Davydenko's quarter (click on image to enlarge)

There are a lot of big names in this section of the draw namely Canas, Gonzalez, Davydenko and Gasquet. Of course most players with ESP and ARG behind thier names can be consdered a threat on this slow surface i.e. Almagro and Nalbandian. Speaknig of which, look for Nalbandian to loose the first two sets and be down a break in the third... and for some extra drama he should save about about two match points , before he realises that he just might loose and finally start to pick up the pace! Against a player like Chela we don't think Nalbandian's "style" of play will make the cut this year. We figure a Davydenko, Gonzalez quarterfinal is in the making, unless the underachievers like Canas and Gasquet have anything to say about it!

Andy Roddick's quarter (click on image to enlarge)

A Rod probably won't make it past the third round - all that clay court practice gone to waste [insert sarcastic look here]. With an early round loss Roddick will really open up his little section of the draw to players like Baghdatis and Hrbaty. Djokovic might be interesting to watch because he seems to really turn up his game a notch on the big stages. Ferrer is also a dangerous player here, after taking his first set off of Federer at this year's Rome quarterfinals he must be feeling pretty good about his chances of competing with the rest of the contenders. So a Ferrer-Djokovic match up on the big stage should provide some drama but we think on this occasion Djoko is favoured to win despite loosing to the Spaniard in straight sets at this year's Monte Carlo R16.

Rafael Nadal's quarter (click on image to enlarge)

Rafa seems to be on stream to play the resurgent Aussie-Hewitt. There last show down in the Hamburg semifinals was interesting, Hewitt gave Nadal just about all that he could stomach- so a rematch would be highly anticipated - we can almost guarantee that there will be no practice hits between these two at RG! Nadal has his antennas up now and on the RG centre court he's the definite favourite to pull through in fine style.

As for the top section of this draw, who know what James Blake is capable of. He can slide on this slow surface, there's no doubt about that, so he shouldn't be as crippled as most of his American counterparts, but James' head just doesn't seem to be in it these days . Moya has been ready, steady go this season, so it won't shock us to see the Spaniard meeting up with his younger counterpart- Nadal- in the quarter finals.

Players to watch

Nadal- Still the King of Clay
Federer- Looking back to his old self again
Jokovic- Seems to be a factor at every tourney of late
Gonzalez- Look out for the Chilean- once he keeps his grounstrokes under control he can be dangerous
Hewitt- Seems to us that a certain someone is hell bent on impressing Roachie and that means the Aussie is back to yelling "come-on" (unfortunately)
Davydenko- The Russian cockroach that never seems to go away
Safin- Maybe it's just wishful thinking but it would be great to see the big Russian make it far at the French.

Two for One Special

by zarlee ^Pro @ Monday, May. 21, 2007 – 01:26:13 pm

Two for One Special

WOW! Back to Back Masters Series tournaments really takes a toll on you! I tell you mentally and emotionally draining (Good thing we aren't players right!)

But seriously, Hamburg literally started as Rome ended so we'll wrap the two tourneys up in one post. OK so Rome we touched on a bit...up until....the Semis! yes! Big showdown with Nadal and Davydenko! That was intense, it almost felt like we were watching a best a five set match. Both players played soooo well the first two sets both went to a tie break Nadal taking the first and Davy the second. At this point it was clear that the match was a battle of the wills and as odd as this sounds it appeared to me that Davydenko was battling on his will to win whereas Nad was battling on his will not to lose (call me crazy but as he kept increasing his winning streak I kept feeling the pressure and it was getting more intense).

So the third set was about to begin and by this time I was REALLY taking to the TV. I called Zar to vent about Davydenko challenging our winning streak and she was just as peeved as a matter of fact she said that Davydenko was just like one of those cockroaches that just never die. I was cracking up her expression was so apt cause it didn't only describe how we felt about this match but about Davy's career on the whole. He has never won a Grand Slam but somehow manages to reach the quarters and semis and is currently ranked at # 4 on the tour. How he does this we often wonder! Of course he not a bad player we know that but what does he do Although the cockroach metaphor may not show it we have nothing personal against Davydenko but when you try to mess with my boy's winning streak you're a PEST! (Unless you're Federer of course... but we'll get back to that)

Anyhoot! By the third set Nadal's will took the match as he won that set 6 4.After the match he fell to the ground with relief and he even cried awww. I didn't even realise till then how much it took from him, his parents were teary-eyed- it was a beautiful moment I was ready for the victory speech but soon remembered it was the Semis. It was just like watching a final I tell you. and after watching the "actual" final" Zar and I agreed that the Semis was truly the final. In the final match Nadal played Fernando Gonzalez from Chile. This match was routine Nadal played very aggressive and won the titleYeay!

And off to Hamburg we go! Take it away Zar! d-dum chiisssssh

Thanks Leez

For me this year's Hamburg tourney was all about "back to basics"
Last week we saw the strange way in which Federer lost to Fillipo Volandri at the Masters Series Roma. I don't say "strange" because of the fact that he lost to a player ranked much lower than he is; I think it is senseless to think that Federer must NEVER lose and we must all drop our jaws in shock everytime he looses a point much less a set or God forbid a match.

The loss was strange because Federer played in a way that can only be described as wild and reckless. then it got even stranger because soon after we heard that he and part time coachie Roachie had "mutually" agreed to part ways. The "mutually" I didn't buy for a second, Fed would not have split with Tony Roche in the middle of the clay court season, one of the very reasons he hired him in the first place, if there wasn't some serious trouble in the waters.

For me, I think it is clear that Roach has contributed to Federer's game in a positive way...Fed's improving net games serves as proof of that. However, I have always wondered if it was ever a situation where there were too many cooks in the kitchen. We have to remember that for some time before Roach after the split with Peter Lundgren, Fed was his own full time coach and he was doing a fine job at that! With Roche as a part timer, I think that Federer retained some of that independence and self reliance turning to Tony as somewhat of a consultant. That could have been problematic; especially when they were trying to solve the clay puzzle, because I'm sure they didn't always see eye to eye on everything. Of course, this is all major speculation, but it just seems as though Fed needed to clear his head a bit and he did that by eliminating one of those exta voices that made things a bit muddled for him.

Federer's win and Nadal's loss has been both their gains.

Both players have now cleared the slates. Federer now has made some considerable moves to cast aside some of the mental demons that have been plaguing him over the past few weeks. For him the wins means that he's more motivated and has more self belief as he has always said that the road to the Roland Garros title has to pass through the Spanish phenomenon.

For Nadal the win means that he no longer has to bear the burden of the winning streak, because let's face it 50% of the beauty of any winning streak is the how and when it will all end, because it is at that point the accomplishment is truly sealed in history. Besides we agree with Nadal when he said during his on court interview that if he had to loose the streak, it should be to Federer because he's the man no?

What does it all mean:
Who knows? I think it's pretty funny that the tennis world seems to be already predicting a dramatic Federer- Nadal showdown at Roland Garros 07 when the day before Sunday's Hamburg final, Nadal lifting the trophy at RG was a foregone conclusion along with a Federer early round crash out and the demise of his career as world #1... fickle fickle fickle.

I think we need to just sit back and enjoy the show nothing is ever carved in stone until it actually happens... for all you know we could have a Blake Roddick final well that's more than a stretch of the imagination but I think you guys get the point!

Star profile
1. Nadal- sets the record at 81, still the King of clay and pretty tough to beat no?
2. Federer- Exorcising some mental demons at Hamburg and ending the much talked about drought, and ending Nad's streak!
3. Davydenko- Russian cockroach that just won't quit tests Nadal on his favourite surface.
4. Hewitt- Aussie road runner looks to be making a comeback.
5. Gonzales- The Chilean continues to back up his impressive run at Aussie Open 07 with quality play on the red dirt.

Scrap Pile
1. Roddick- Backing out of Hamburg because you think you'll get better practice away from Europe-where all the dirt ballers are???
2. Ferrer- Getting upset with the umpire because coach has to leave the stadium to get you racquet re-strung... dependency syndrome much?
3. Online ATP masters series TV- What exactly are you guys thinking? Oh, and stop emailing us to sign up we're NOT interested we want to watch it on regular TV thank you very much.
4. Canas- Much ado about nothing.
5. Roberdo- Defending Hamburg champ early round crash out!

Majorca to Rome

by zarlee ^Pro @ Thursday, May. 10, 2007 – 03:41:59 pm

Majorca to Roma

Hey guys we have been kinda busy this past week but not too busy to stay away from the blog. This thing is addictive I tell you!

So Lets see...
Oh Fed and Nad played the exhibition match which Nadal won. Honestly! We couldn't care less about the outcome of the exo. There were no injuries; our boys had fun; they are happy - WE ARE HAPPY!

Well the fun and games are over and its back to business for our boys as they compete in Rome

The second Masters Series tournament on Clay began on Monday in Rome and guess who showed up.....Yes American Singles Players and five of them too! No more Americans are remaining in the tourney (suprise to no one) Andy Roddick who advanced the furthest of all the Americans reached the Third Round after defeating former Roland Garros Champ turned Head Trip Case, Gaston Gaudio (lets not even get into his issues right now!) If Roddick had not capiltised on that opportunity it would have been even more sad. Roddick lost to Chela who served him a bagel for breakfast as he beat him 6-0 6-4

Chela is now going to face Gonzalez in the Quaterfinals. The other Quaterfinal matches are Davydenko vs Robredo(which Robredo lost by the way, after taking the first set 6-1! Tom Tom what's going on); Volandri vs Berdych and Nadal vs Djokovic....Some-thing's Miss-ing???

Yeah No Federer!!! Fed suffered an unfortunate lost to Volandri yesterday, Zar is still recovering but she'll be OK. Even Nadal was suprised as he said "But for sure it was a suprise for me the loss of Federer. I wasn't see the match. I was in the room watching a film, and after I put Internet and I saw...Volandri, I always say is a very good player on clay. Obviously it's a suprise he beat Federer. But well some days it's difficult for everyone. Everyone have bad days no? (www.asapsports.com) So very true my boy, a very difficult match he had indeed Zar saw the match but we didn't hav time to talk about it in detail.

Actually! Volandri is now into the Semis he just took out Berdych 6-2 6-3 (yeah bloging at work and following the matches at the same time - tough! lol) Well "Big Ups" for Volandri - Aye! as Zar and I always say - If you gonna take out Fed or Nad better make it to the finals or at least win the next match.

Oh! Nad and "No Djoke" Djokovic are up next so I need tp devote all may time to that now

..........So I'm bac Nad won taking his wining streak to 75 Vamos Rafa!
Last game comin up soon but I'm hungry so I am going to have lunch now mmmmmmmmm smells good but we'll be back with a wrap up of Rome and our Star Profile and Scrap Pile for the week.

Leave the "BOAT" alone

by zarlee ^Pro @ Wednesday, May. 02, 2007 – 12:20:34 pm

Leave the "BOAT" alone

So I, Leez, found an article on eurosport.com entitled "McEnroe: Fed has two years". It was bascially about McEnroe's opinion on Federer wining Roland Garros and Nadal's dominance on clay. Of course, no disrespect to Mc, he's actually one of the commentators we prefer to have covering events, but I had to respectfully disagree with some of his opinions and of course call Zar and ask her what she thought about it and as usual we have a lot to say.

McEnroe claimed that Federer has to win Roland Garros to be the Best Of All Time aka "the BOAT". My first issue with this is that, to me, the idea of a sports person, regardless of what sport they play, being deemed "the BOAT" is an extremely subjective idea. Of course there would always be playeers who stand out way beyond the rest but because of the changing nature of sport, all sport, it's always difficult or unfair to compare players of one era with another.

I also had to ask myself, Is there an official list of criteria for someone to be considered to be "the best of all time"? Am I just oblivious to this fact? And if it does exist who the h--- made it up and could he/she post this list up on the web or something so we can take a look? Or is it that I'm So into tennis and really have no clue about the rules? (Kinda like the ATP Chairman aye! Lol)

I mean come on! So if he does not win Roland Garros in two years it's IMPOSSIBLE to win it after? Give the man a break he's not even close to retirement let him play before you make his records for him. Sorry if I come off a bit on edge but I just rather if people follow Federer's career to the end before they judge him and set limits for him to achieve whatever their idea of success is. Nothing's wrong with making predictions and speculating but an ultimatum! That's a bit extreme. Thank goodness Federer does not pay too much attention to what is said in the media but we just can't help it

Actually Federer is quite happy about his clay court success as he said afetr losing the Monte Carlo final, "I'm happy, this is my fourth claycourt final in a row." One of McEnroe's comments that is definately agreeable (no bias here of course) is his well deserved praise of Rafael Nadal as he said "Tennis needs people with the character of Nadal" Awwww! All respect wasn't takken away from Federer however as Mc recognized that it would be very difficult for andal to be the world # 1 with Federer present. (Quotes taken from www.eurosport.com)

So what's going on with out boys lately...
Well! Nadal just completed another successful tournament which took place in Barcelona (www.openseatbarcelona.com) he picked up his second clay court title for the season beating Guillermo Canas 6-3 6-4. And! HE was also runner up in the doubles after Rafa and Bartolome Salva-Vidal (Sasson hahaha just kidding) lost to Andrei Pavel & Alexander Waske. Oh and, just in case you didn't know, Nadal has become the second person to win 3 consecutive Barca titles since Mats Wilander (1982-1984) and his winning streak has been extended to 72 matches and clay VAMOS!

Coming off another successful week Nadal would have surely gained more confidence for his next event in Rome which begins may 7th Leez is feeling a little at ease but can't be comfortable yet cause the Fed man must NEVER be ruled out!

Talking about Fed not exactly sure what he's been up to in the past week (did not play in any tournament) but we're sure he has been getting prepared for rome while spending time with Mirka lol and you can find him (and her) in the latest issue of Vogue Magazine looking pretty damn fine we might add. The man can carry a suit I tell you. Leez loves the beach pic the most and as foe Zar...well! She loves EVERYTHING!

But before Rome begins our boys will meet in Majorca, Nadal's birth place for an exhibition entitled "The Battle of Surfaces" on May 2nd, 2007. The concept: - 1 court 2 courafces half clay the other grass where the king of clay and king of grass will collide. Sounds like a recipe for disaster (injuries) but they know what they'll be doing. Both Fed and Nad seem happy and are looking forward to it and well we wish we could see it too.

So best of luck to both our boys in the exhibition tourney (remember it's just for fun) and in the mean time we'll be anxiously awaiting the draws for Rome!

STAR PROFILE
1. Rafa - Barca champ in more ways than three
2. Canas - clay court debut takes him to finals
3. Andrei Pavel & Alexander Waske - winning doubles team @ Barca
4. Paul-Henri Mathieu - won 3rd ATP tilte in Casablanca
5. Fed and Nad - true champs and good friends have fun in Majorca!

SCRAP PILE
1. "Best Of All Time" - enough with the ultimatums ok let's just watch him play

Good to see that our scrap pile has lessened this week . Lets keep it up!