ChiChi’s Preview & Prediction For Murray v. Nishikori

This possibly could be a tricky match for the Scotsman if Nishikori can hang around and keep the scoreboard close by disrupting Andy’s rhythm by mixing in a serve and volley play now and again, changing speeds and spins and occasionally pulling the trigger with a big shot. Murray has been known to have a blowup in grand slams every so often but I think we are too deep into the tournament and his new coach Ivan Lendl has Murray in a state of clear and calm thinking.  This and the fact that his Japanese opponent has logged many miles on his weary legs should help Murray in case he starts to falter for a spell. Nishikori is going to have to work too hard to win enough points to earn a set let alone the match and I forsee some desperate attempts to try to shorten points with too many scattered attempts at forging to the net or pulling a trigger too early. This will compound as each set is played and result in a straight set victory and semi final birth for Andy. 76 63 62.

-ChiChi

ChiChi’s Preview & Prediction for Wozniacki v. Clijsters

I am going to go with the “Great Dane” over ” Super Mom” for a couple of reasons. First, I think for the first grand slam in a long time Wozniacki has been” under the radar” and has failed so many times to hold up to her seeding that by this point nobody expects her to do damage. I think this has made her relaxed and focused which has helped her play a bit more aggressive in important spots. It’s important for someone like Wozniacki to be able to play aggressively at various times in the match to keep agressive opponents like Clijsters from dictating freely and not paying consequences. Second, I don’t think Clijsters is going to be 100 percent going into this match due to her injured ankle. Clijsters used adrenaline, pure survival instincts and nervous play by her opponent to survive that match.

Clijsters isn’t getting any younger so her ability to recover from an injury and recover from a physically and emotionally grueling match will not be easy and Wozniacki will be sure to test the ankle by jerking the ball around the court and making Clijsters earn every point. I think it’s time for Wozi to exact some revenge for her 2 previous losses to Kimmy and earn a birth to the semis with a 76 63 victory.

-ChiChi

ChiChi’s Preview & Prediction for Rafael Nadal v. Tomas Berdych

There are a lot of factors going against Berdych in this match and most of them aren’t Nadal! Berdych signed his Quarterfinal check 2 days ago after his 4 set victory over the Spaniard Nicolas Almagro. In the later stages of the 4 th set Almagro hit a laser in Berdych’s direction hitting the Czech in the arm. Berdych took offense and did not accept Almagros apology. From that point Berdych played some inspired tennis and finished off the Spaniard in a convincing tiebreaker. Berdych then refused to shake Almagro’s hand which incensed the crowd. In the post match on court interview Berdych was heckled and booed by the raucous crowd and Berdych looked visibly shaken.

Berdych now has to deal a new and improved Rafa who is making a better effort to tag the ball and dictate play. Nadal is a better returner than his previous opponents whom Berdych was afforded many free points and he’ll also have to deal with a crowd of 15,000 people rooting against him. A tall order for a tall man who will come up short and lose in four sets. Rafa prevails 76 57 64 64

-ChiChi

2012 Aussie Open Week One Review

In this week’s episode Nima and I discuss the “Big 4,” the rise of Australian Bernard Tomic and the fall of American Tennis. We also look forward to what should be a fantastic final week at the season’s first Grand Slam. Enjoy!

As always you can find these podcasts in the iTunes store, search “Tennis Connected” and you can get all our episodes. Thanks for making us the #1 tennis show!

ChiChi’s Preview & Prediction of Hewitt v. Raonic

In the past Hewitt used to chew up guys like this but time is starting to catch up to the veteran Aussie and he without a doubt is not the same player he used to be. He is a step slower and against an opponent like Raonic who is blasting serves in corners, smacking groundies with power and accuracy and at times fearlessly venturing to the net. Hewitt will not be able to counterpunch these balls with as much sting and accuracy. This will allow Raonic to break through Hewitt’s armor at different moments in the match and build confidence. In the past Hewitt’s opponents felt much of what Nadal’s opponents do today, totally frustrated on why they can’t get the ball past them. Hewitt no longer posesses the same speed as Nadal and doesn’t have the same heaviness to his shots. This allows the Aussies opponents to play with hope and confidence.

The fact that the match is being played on home soil, with a crazy night crowd on the heels of Tomic’s thrilling 5 set victory should inspire Hewitt to play with a tremendous amount of passion which should keep the match interesting but I do believe youth and power will prevail in the end. Raonic in an entertaining 4 setter. 76 63 46 64

-ChiChi

ChiChi’s Preview & Prediction for Tomic v. Dolgopolov

Melbourne, Australia– The crowd will be rocking tonight as 2 of the more “unconventional” players on the tour battle to get into the fourth round of the Australian Open. Dolgopolov owns a dominant 3-0 lifetime edge over the Aussie winning 2 of those matches by score lines stranger than either of their styles. Dolgopolov’s Aussie coach Jack Reader feels that those previous match results were due to his knowledge of Tomic’s game, Dolgopolov’s awkward style, and the fact that he feels his man has paid his dues for a harder and longer time.

Dolgopolov undoubtedly is the quicker player and may even have more “game” than his Aussie opponent, but I feel this match will come down to who can make more solid decisions when it comes to shot selection. I like Tomic’s disciplined decisions a little bit more than the Ukrainian and when you add Tomic’s increased toughness and confidence from all his big wins the last month, I think another upset is in order for the big Aussie in what could be the most entertaining match of the tournament so far. Tomic in 5 crazy sets. 61 16 16 62 75

-ChiChi

Preview & Prediction Sam Querrey v. Bernard Tomic

Melbourne, Australia- Australian sensation Bernard Tomic is catching another dangerous player after his spectacular 5 set comeback over the Spaniard Verdasco. The only thing that would worry me about this match is whether Tomic expended too much energy in his victory, however the scheduling gods decided to use their right to use ” home field advantage” and schedule the match in the evening where it will cooler and give the hometown hero more time to recover. If he is ready to go, which I fully believe he is, then I think the Aussie should be able to keep the tall lanky American off balance for much of the match with his low side spinny shots and ability to change speeds drasctically. He is in great form coming in to the tournament with wins over Fish, Monfils, and Berdych. He has crowd support and he has cool temperatures to keep him fresh and to keep the powerful serve of Querrey from becoming too overwhelming. Querrey will be fearless and excited to play this match, but in the end I like the Aussie in 4 tough sets. 63 67 75 64

Preview & Prediction Mardy Fish v. Alejandro Falla

Melbourne, Australia- I watched Mardy’s match against the lefty Muller on Sunday night and was very impressed Read More

Australian Open Preview

Australian Open Preview

Melbourne, Australia– Just a few weeks removed from the world tour final, tennis is back in full swing with the first major of the year down under in Australia. Read More

Podcast: Reviewing 2011, the Year of Novak

In this week’s PodCast, Nima and Parsa are back in action with a year-end review of the 2011 tennis season. Read More