Should I remind everyone that in the final last year Rafa lost to Kolya 46, 26? No? I just wanted to point out that this year is a different year, and if anyone's still worried, well Kolya is out with injury. So there.
Top half:
The Ginge, Dasco and Nalby and Potro is with Rafa on the top half.
On his side of the half, Dr Ivo might give him some trouble like he did at Queen's last year (Rafa won 67, 76, 76) but then again he's not the same player he was last year. Since then he has won Wimbledon, Olympics, made the semis in USO and oh yeah, brought the AO trophy to his living room. Despite the excitement around Potro he's still just a promise of a good future player at this point. If he doesn't shuck that excessive respect he has for the top two (or three or four) he'd never go anywhere. Rafa's road to the semis is not paved with broken glasses, so to speak.
On the other side, there's Gonzo, Querrey, Ginge, and Nalby. For Ginge or Nalby to meet Rafa in the semis they have to battle each other out first. I'm not too worried about either. The Ginge might enter this tournament with a purpose or smarting a bit from the baguette and the duck Rafa gave him yesterday, and let it affect him. As for Greasy Nalby, well, third time's the charm, curse has been broken and all that. I probably shouldn't underestimate Dasco at this point but to borrow my mom's way of phrasing things, Rafa's truly on fire. Of course it's only the beginning of the season but what a start, ladies and gentlemen, and I don't see him stopping Rafa. Xisca trumps Camilla Belle everytime. Samurai Querrey might give Rafa a bit of run if he can make it that far, but I strongly doubt it.
Predictions: Rafa blazes onto the semis to meet either Ginge or Dasco.
Bottom Half:
It's much heavier or shall I say more balanced down here. Lots of dangerous players. Simon, Tsonga, Djoko, Rod, Curly Ernests, Monfils, and Roger with his headcase from hell.
Shouldn't count out Ljubicic who did quite well last week. The french will need to battle each other to come out even in semis. This draw could play out in so many ways so I don't think I want to set myself up for future embarassement by making predictions. All I have to say is Roger needs to do some internal spring cleaning, stat. Of course, we probably all of us want Marat to be a finalist, just because.
Exciting week to come! Now if only I can catch up on my sleep. North American tournaments are killing me. Oh! Almost forgot, request to Nike: can Rafa wear a different color shirt in this tournament? But please keep the white shorts. Kthxbai.
Sony Ericsson Open Official Site
Does anyone else think that Gulbis looks like he spends all of his off-time playing Warcraft? Or Evercrack? Definitely a gamer-geek. In the nicest way, of course.
ReplyDeleteLOL Diane. Actually I would have picked Murray as the geek. I don't know why but Gulbis doesn't strike me as geeky.
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