The Daily Forehand: FanPosts

The SINGLE most important stat for the AO Final EDIT: I was right

2010-01-30T19:28:01Z

I'll keep it simple. Federer v. Murray today for the Australian Open Title. Here's Federer's 1st serve percentage in all 4 of Major Finals he played in last year. This is via ATPworldtour.com match stats.

Federer 1st Serve % Last Year

Australian Open- 51% & 6 Double Faults (Sure it was 260 minutes, but 6 is still a lot for Fed) L

French Open - 65% W

Wimbledon - 64% W

US Open - 51% & 11 ( ! ) Double Faults L

If Federer serves well, Federer will win. If not.....

UPDATE: I was right. Fed serves at 66% and won.

Has Ana Ivanovic lost some her magic that helped her win the French Open?

2010-01-29T20:25:46Z

What has happened to Ana Ivanovic since she won her first and only grand slan-the french open in 2008? After that win she became the world #1 going into Wimbeldon and then lost early in the tournament.She was going to compete for Serbia in the 2008 Summer Olympics but sustained a injury and pulled out. since 2008, she has been on a rapid descent in the rankings going into the Aussie Open where she was ranked in the 20s and lost early once again this year.

Another former number 1 ranked player in the world who has lost a step is Maria Sharapova, who lost in the first round to fellow russian Maria Kirilenko (who lost to semi-finalist Zheng Jie of China).

Have these two players lost a step in their respective careers or have they each hit a downward spiral that which they might never recover from?

Former Top 20 Haitian Pro Ronald Agenor Safe in Guadeloupe

2010-01-14T14:49:04Z

Former top 20 ATP tennis pro Ronald Agenor represented Haiti during his playing career. When I heard about all the devastation in Haiti, I thought of Agenor and if he was in Haiti or not.

He did so much for Haiti when he was playing and I read that he continues to run a tennis academy, and he helps train players in the Caribbean.

He posted this message on his Facebook to let all his fans know he's ok.

Ronald Agenor I am currently in Guadeloupe, in the Caribbean, and I want to thank all the people from this French Island that are doing all they can to send food, water, blankets, doctors, funds and more. Truly an amazing. It is painful to watch so much devastation in Haiti. My prayers to all the families in pain.

Note: Agenor was quite a flashy player during his career. I saw him play on many occasions and rooted for the guy. I'm sure he will do what he can, as will we and help out Haitian friends.

Isner Through to Semis in Auckland

2010-01-14T12:33:35Z

John Isner must eally love playing in Auckland, NZ, as he has taken out Lopez-Garcia , Juan Monaco, and earlier today took out Tommie Robredo in 3 sets.

That sets up a semi with Albert Montanes, another Spaniard tomorrow. More big wins for Isner, who is proving if he can stay healthy he is headed for the top 20. How many people would've guess that when he came out of The University of Georgia a few years ago.

If one more player drops out of the main draw in Australia, Isner will be seeded.

Australian Open Women's Qualies Predictions

2010-01-13T21:43:52Z

My favorite part of January is just around the corner with the Men's and Women's Australian Open Qualifying tournaments getting underway. With the women's draw just released, here are my predictions as to who will qualify into the final 128.

(1)Yanina Wickmayer BEL v Yurika Sema JPN
Alexandra Panova RUS v Naomi Cavaday GBR
Marija Mirkovic AUS v Arina Rodionova RUS
Eva Hrdinova CZE v Lourdes Dominguez Lino ESP (22)

My Pick: (1)Yanina Wickmayer BEL Can anyone not pick a top 20 player to qualify? Miss Wickmayer, a 2009 U.S. Open semifinalist missed the AO deadline for entries as she was facing a one-year ban at the time. Now, the ban has been lifted, but unfortunately Wickmayer could only gain entry into the qualifying draw, as she did not recieve a wildcard into the maindraw. You may feel badly for Wickmayer for having to go through qualifying, but I would feel worse for the other 7 ladies in her section. Wickmayer will still need to bring her game though, Sema (2009 U.S. Open Qualifer), Cavaday (held match points on Martina Hingis at Wimbledon) and Dominguez Lino (former top 40/original cocaine fiend) can be dangerous.

Regina Kulikova RUS (2) v Lindsay Lee-Waters USA
Ksenia Palkina KGZ v Ryoko Fuda JPN
Lenka Wienerova SVK v Kurumi Nara JPN
Aniko Kapros HUN v Ksenia Pervak RUS (17)

My Pick: Ksenia Pervak RUS (17) Perkvak is an up-and-coming Russian you should keep an eye out for. She won the Australian Open juniors title last year, and is steadily improving. Fresh off her 20th birthday, this could very well be the last qualifying tournament Pervak plays in a very long time.

Shenay Perry USA (3) v Melanie South GBR
Ivana Lisjak CRO v Elena Chalova RUS
Misaki Doi JPN v Carly Gullickson USA
Shannon Golds AUS v Vesna Manasieva RUS (20)

My Pick: Vesna Manasieva RUS (20) Another 20 year old up-and-coming Russian should be able to get through this section of the draw. Shenay Perry with her strong end to 2009 should be a hurdle, but I expect the younger Russian to just get by.

Michelle Larcher De Brito POR (4) v Ekaterina Dzehalevich BLR
Jessica Moore AUS v Xinyun Han CHN
Margalita Chakhnashvili GEO v Oksana Kalashnikova GEO
Anastasia Pivovarova RUS v Chanelle Scheepers RSA (16)

My pick: Xinyun Han CHN Although Han hasn't done much outside of being the queen of Asian challengers, she played Flavia Pennetta tough in Beijing at the end of last year. If she can tune out the vocal decibels of Larcher De Brito, she may be able to breakthrough into her first MD of a slam.

Maria Elena Camerin ITA (5) v Zuzana Ondraskova CZE
Anna Lapushchenkova RUS v Heidi El Tabakh CAN
Nuria Llagostera Vives ESP v Madison Brengle USA
Viktorija Rajicic AUS v Renata Voracova CZE (14)

My Pick: Heidi El Tabakh CAN The naturalized Canadian citizens El Tabakh was in blazing form to open 2010, upsetting former top 100 players Pin & Krajicek before retiring while up against Voskoboeva. If she is healthy expect her to shine in this section full of veterans. If not Llagostera Vives might be able to outlast the others.

Arantxa Rus NED (6) v Kristina Antoniychuk UKR
Anna Floris ITA v Ashling Sumner AUS
Eloisa Compostizo De Andres ESP v Katalin Marosi HUN
Sofia Arvidsson SWE v Marta Domachowska POL (24)

My Pick: Marta Domachowska POL (24) In what could be the weakest section of the draw, I'd say the opener between Arvidsson and Domachowska to determine the winner. The other players overall are a bit useless.

Angelique Kerber GER (7) v Rebecca Marino CAN
Alexandra Stevenson USA v Andrea Hlavackova CZE
Laura Robson GBR v Sophie Ferguson AUS
Claire Feuerstein FRA v Michaella Krajicek NED (18)

My Pick: Angelique Kerber GER (7) It's certainly an interesting section featuring players coming back from injuries like Krajicek and the perpetually injured Stevenson. Kerber, who is inches from the top 100 could rise above, but don't be shocked if youngster Laura Robson rides the Hopman Cup wave into the main draw.

Yvonne Meusburger AUT (8) v Julia Cohen USA
Neuza Silva POR v Eleni Daniilidou GRE
Bethanie Mattek-Sands USA v Julia Vakulenko UKR
Severine Beltrame FRA v Sharon Fichman CAN (13)

My Pick: Julia Vakulenko UKR When Vakulenko is on, she can be scary good. She had to do some rebuilding through 2009, but looks to ascend into the top 100 once again. In a section chock full of veterans, I think this 26 year old will rise above.

Mariya Koryttseva UKR (9) v Olga Savchuk UKR
Yuliana Fedak UKR v Silvia Soler Espinosa ESP
Corinna Dentoni ITA v Yulia Fedossova FRA
Kristina Mladenovic FRA v Mathilde Johansson FRA (15)

My Pick: Kristina Mladenovic FRA With three French players snubbed for the French wildcard (which was given to Stephanie Cohen-Aloro), I bet all of them are looking to prove to the French Tennis Federation that they deserved that spot. Mladenovic is the #1 junior in the world and has one of the biggest serves in the game. She took Patty Schydner to three sets in Melbourne last year.

Darya Kustova BLR (10) v Zuzana Kucova SVK
Nina Bratchikova RUS v Tomoko Yonemura JPN
Elena Bovina RUS v Sally Peers AUS
Shuai Zhang CHN v Julia Schruff GER (19)

My Pick: Shuai Zhang CHN Perhaps a better pick for a Chinese qualifier then Han, Zhang defeated then world #1 Dinara Safina in Beijing last year (after defeating Iveta Benesova the round previous). Zhang went through slump through 2008/2009, but looks ready to qualify for her second grand slam main draw after the 2008 US Open.

Masa Zec Peskiric SLO (11) v Rika Fujiwara JPN
Junri Namigata JPN v Ekaterina Ivanova RUS
Nikola Hofmanova AUT v Monique Adamczak AUS
Camille Pin FRA v Valerie Tetreault CAN (21)

My Pick: Ekaterina Ivanova RUS Ivanova brought good form to Australia in 2010 qualifying for Brisbane and losing in three sets to Daniela Hantuchova in the opening round. I expect her to breeze by this group, if Fujiwara's junkball and moonballs don't throw her off in the second round.

Kathrin Woerle GER (12) v Anna Tatishvili GEO
Stephanie Foretz FRA v Simona Halep ROU
Monika Wejnert AUS v Bojana Jovanovski SRB
Lauren Albanese USA v Lilia Osterloh USA (23)

My Pick: Bojana Jovanovski SRB Bojana is another Serbian player on the rise showing great challenger results at the end of 2009 and one good start in China to begin 2010. She should qualify without many problems.

Clijsters and Henin

2010-01-09T02:46:09Z

It's the first tournament of the year and we already have a Kim vs. Justine matchup. Women's tennis needed these two to come back and play well desperately. The Williams Sister's act had grown kind of old, and we are waiting on some good, young players to develop. Having Kin and Justine back and in good form helps cover up some deficiencies in women's tennis. Let's hope some of the other top women get their focus back in 2010.

Honolulu Challenger Preview

2010-01-07T22:44:38Z

In 2001 Andy Roddick won the Honolulu Challenger. In 2002 James Blake captured the title. Every year, each January, some of the best players on the tour travel to Hawaii to escape from winter and to take part in one of the most prestigious challenger tournaments on the ATP calendar. Timed straight after Australian Open's week one, the Honolulu Challenger provides an excellent opportunity for players to showcase their form at the beginning of the season.

This year's entry list provides for a mix of seasoned veterans looking to capture another peak in their career, as well as young players eager to jumpstart their own career Roddick and Blake-style. Among the most prominent names who confirmed participation include veteran Michael Russel, ranked 83 in ATP and a winner of 21 Pro Circuit titles.

University of Kentucky alumnus Jesse Witten who caused quite the furor at last year's US Open by winning three qualification and 2 main draw matches, will play in Hawaii as well. Furthermore, US's most promising youngsters Jesse Levine and Donald Young will compete at the Central Oahu Regional Park courts.

The Honolulu Challenger is the perfect opportunity for local players to get a feel for world-class tennis and maybe even get the chance to compete with the best shoulder to shoulder. This week, the USTA Hawaii organizes a Wild Card tournament open to all local players. The winner of the tourney will get a Wild Card for the Honolulu Challenger main draw while the runner-up will settle for a Wild Card for the qualification.

Some of the best players from Honolulu and the islands will take place. The draw was out yesterday and number one seed is local star Ikaika Jobe who competed for University of Saint Louis and Boise State posting impressive records at both schools. Number two seed is Andreas Weber, a senior at University of Hawaii who will look to become the second UH player into the Challenger main draw after teammate Leo Rosenberg won the first edition of the Wild Card tournament in November. UH players Daniel llarenas and Chad Rubin will take part as well.

Hawaii Pacific University will also play some of its best players. Number 3 ranked in the West Region Nikola Petrov and teammates Daniel Luedi, Sebastian Bader and Anton Samuilau will take the courts starting January 8th. The draw will be completed by promising Hawaiian juniors such as state champion Jared Spiker. Other notable names include HPU ex-star Jan Tribler and juniors Matthew Westmoreland and Quoc Huynh.

Matches start on January 8th at 12pm. The location is Central Oahu Regional Park and the entertainment is guaranteed.

Check USTA Hawaii and Twitter for updates.

ASB Classic Preview

2010-01-02T22:27:14Z

The 2010 WTA Tour season will get underway this week with tournaments in Auckland, New Zealand & Brisbane, Australia. To read my preview of the Brisbane International head over to natural gut is love.

While the Brisbane International may have the anticipated return of Justine Henin, the field over in Auckland is nothing to sneeze at. Yanina Wickamayer is another Belgian who made news this fall, and will be making her return to the WTA after being temporarily banned for not reporting her whereabouts to a Belgian doping authority. Her ban has been lifted, and she has been given a WC into Auckland. Wickamayer, a surprise semifinalist at the US Open in September, will play dangerous German Julie Georges in round 1.

Wickmayer main challenger in the bottom half of the draw is dangerous ballbasher Li Na of China. Na jumped to a career high rank of 15 in October will be seeking her third WTA title and first since winning the now defunct Gold Coast tournament in 2008. Li Na did not play in Australia last season, and can build up her ranking with these first three tournaments as she has no points to defend.

Speaking of the bottom half an intriguing opening round match will be between Russia's Anna Chakvetadze and 39 year old Kimiko Date-Krumm. At ranks 67 & 69 respectively these two players are both looking to return to the top 50 a spot Kimiko hasn't been in since the mid 1990s. Chakvetadze had a rough 2009, only making one quarterfinal at New Haven.

Top seeded Flavia Pennetta will try to win her 9th title of her career and get back into the top 10. Flavia famously became the first Italian woman to enter the top 10 of the WTA rankings in August of 2009. Fransesca Schiavone is the third seeded veteran in the top half and fellow Italian who'll hope to add to her two previous tournament wins on her record.

Look out for 6th seeded Elena Vesnina to try to play spoiler in this top half. The hard hitting Russian had a strong hardcourt American season, and could power her way through to the semifinals.

Predictions

1R Upset: Magdalena Rybarikova def. (8)Anabel Medina Garrigues

Semifinals
(1)Flavia Penneta def. (5)Elena Vesnina
(2)Li Na def. (3)Yanina Wickmayer

Finals
(2)Li Na def. (1)Flavia Penneta

Melanie Oudin Greets Fans in Roswell, GA Appearance

2009-12-06T20:56:55Z

via ricklimpert.squarespace.com

Ranked #49 in the world and thought by many to be the future of American women's tennis, 18 year old Melanie Oudin says "hard work and having fun are the keys to success in tennis", Oudin made an appearance for her racket sponsor Wilson today at the PGA Superstore in Roswell, GA.

Oudin greeted fans of all ages, many who have followed her career since she started playing, and sparred off against three lucky juniors on the indoor practice court at the Superstore. Having practically grown up in Roswell, Oudin was at ease and comfortable answering questions about her U.S. Open run, the upcoming Australian Open, and her meeting Roger Federer.

2010 will be Oudin's first year as a full-time pro, and she says she doesn't get nervous on the court, or doing talkshows, as she did following her loss to Caroline Wozniacki at The U.S. Open. Where she did get nervous was her chance encounter with Roger Federer in New York. She said wanted to ask him about his twins, but she froze up and could only muster a few words to him.

As for 2010, the 18 year old with the big inside out forehand is working on improving her serve, and maybe play some more doubles events, if her ranking can get her in some with partner Shenay Perry. Despite her big wins over the likes of Sharapova, Jankovic, and Dementieva, Oudin says she prefers to stay quiet in the lockerooms on the tour. She has enjoyed her offseason and playing some exhibitions recently. She is excited about playing Serena Williams in an exhibition next week at The University of Georgia in Athens.

The future is indeed bright for this young American. She won't be able to sneak up on the competition like she did in 2009. She still has half a year to improve her world ranking before she has to start defending WTA points, then more and more will be expected of her. She is still kind of in the shadow of Venus and Serena Williams, but it won't be long until the "future of American tennis" will be the present.

Melanie Oudin Blogging from Fed Cup

2009-11-04T19:32:12Z

Just about all the women's tennis is done for the year. This week though, is the finals of The Federation Cup. The U.S. vs. Italy. No Williams' Sisters, no Sharapova, no Clijsters, who is going to watch?

Let's just say the results from Reggio Calbria won't be on the front page of your Sunday sports section. Melanie Oudin is playing, and it will be interesting to see how she does. The U.S. has not won a Fed Cup title since 2000, and they appear to be underdogs this week.

Oudin will be blogging from Italy all week on usta.com. Link here: http://www.usta.com/USTA/Global/Pro_Tennis/Fed_Cup/Feature/2009/USvsItaly/Melanie_Oudin_Reggio_Calabria_blog.aspx

Andre Agassi admits to using Crystal Meth.

2009-10-28T01:05:09Z

Tennis legend Andre Agassi used crystal meth in 1997, failed a drug test, and boldly lied in a letter to tennis officials in order to successfully dodge a competition ban, according to selections from the book published online Tuesday night by an Australian newspaper.

Agassi also spoke about this in an online story to People.

"I can't speak to addiction, but a lot of people would say that if you're using anything as an escape, you have a problem,"

"I feel ashamed, of course," Agassi writes in his description of the letter. "I promise myself that this lie is the end of it."

The forthcoming autobiography, entitled "Open," is due out Nov. 9

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_sports/2009/10/27/2009-10-27_agassi.html#ixzz0VBenfdLF

Getting to the bottom of the Swedish Tennis Sex Scandal

2009-10-21T19:14:38Z

The newspapers in Sweden, The United States and all over Europe and Canada have kind of dropped the ball on this one.

The two male ATP tennis players detained over the week for soliciting prostitutes in Stockholm remain a mystery. Newspapers have pulled back from reporting on this story. Not sure if it is because of pressure from the ATP or tournament organizers.

Thanks to the magic of the internet bloggers have been burning the midnight oil. The tennis gossip blog; http://www.hcfoo.com/ is on the trail, and you can check it out to see his theory that Ernests Gulbis is one of the players based on what reported on Swedish player Joachim Johansson's personal website.

The information and damaging statements have since been removed from Johansson's site.

HCFoo promises more investigative reporting on this story.

A Luxembourg First Round Match to Watch

2009-10-20T02:48:49Z

It's not the U.S. Open quarterfinals, it's a first round match in a $220,000 tournament in Luxembourg, but it's still Wozniacki vs. Oudin again. Both players didn't do much on their Asian swing. I even thought Wozniacki might pull out of this event since she has been traveling nonstop. It appears she will play and this match will be a night match on Tues. night. Maybe it will be a close 3-setter.

The GOAT Debate & Poll.

2009-10-12T21:06:09Z

With the tail end of the tennis year approaching (and only 2.5 more meaningful tournaments left) I'd like to start the debate on who the Greatest Of All Time was/is. Its not the most meaningful debate, but I've always found it fun. I know it's hard to compare Eras, but lets do it anyways.

Just say who you think the GOAT is and lay down your case.

Me first: Roger Federer- Federer is the one of the few to complete the Career Slam, as you all know. He was ranked #1 for 237 consecutive weeks, the only man to win two separate majors 5 times in a row, the only man to win the USO 5 (or 4) times consecutively, reached 22 and counting major semifinals in a row (over double the old record), has reached 21 finals including a record 10 in a row, most consecutive wins on grass and hard-court, and just generally dominated the Open Era like no one else.

Ok, so not a very original choice. GO!

Poll

the GOAT?

Roger Federer

9 votes

Rafael Nadal

1 votes

Pete Sampras

1 votes

Ivan Lendl

0 votes

Bjorn Borg

0 votes

Rod "ROCKET" Laver

0 votes

11 votes | Poll has closed

Interesting to follow: New Pro Conor Pollock's Site

2009-10-10T00:59:22Z

If you are looking for something a little different to follow from the normal "name" pros that Tweet, are on television every week, or that get press in major newspapers before every tournament, you might want to take a look at and follow an up and coming pro from America named Conor Pollock.

This may be the first time you have ever heard this name, and it could be the last. With just 4 Futures tournaments under his belt and a current world ranking of #1439. Yes the ATP rankings do go that high and higher.

Conor is a rarity in professional tennis, a college graduate. With a degree and from Texas A&M, and a desire to make it as a pro starting at the bottom, Conor blogs often, or as often as he can and in some cases it appears he has a friend posting for him. I'm sure he doesn't have a full time intern like Sam Querrey.

Since he has only played in 4 events there are only a few posts, but the last post comes from a Futures event in Mexico where he is currently playing.

Conor is not living a glamorous life at this point and i hope he gives professional tennis a fair shot and keeps us updated along the way. He mentions a trip to a USTA Training Camp and working wih former top 10 player Jay Berger. So he is getting some help from the USTA.

Good luck to Conor, he's not getting wildcards into the grand slams, if he is going to make it, he will have really earned it, and it will be a long road with the odds against him Follow his site at: http://www.conorpollock.net/

Andy Roddick Doubles Specialist

2009-10-08T17:04:29Z

Even though he had an early exit in the singles, did you notice that Andy Roddick has advances to the semis in China in the doubles teaming with a real doubles specialist, Mark Knowles.

The Bryan Bros are on the other side of the draw, that would make for quite a finals if both teams with their semi finals match ups.

I always thought Roddick would be the best doubles player in the world if he played full time like McEnroe used to.

Sam Querrey Injured in Freak Accident in Thailand

2009-09-28T22:35:07Z

Prior to competing in the Thailand Open this week, American Sam Querrey fell through a glass table he was sitting on following a practice session. Reports are he hurt his arm and had surgery.

The 21 year Californian is the #3 ranked American in the world. He may be sidelines 4-6 weeks. Tough break for Sam, who had a great Summer and has made a move up the rankings. We may not see him until next year in Australia.

I know those glass tables have always scared me.

Isner beats a player whose name he certainly can't spell

2009-09-28T15:08:21Z

Playing in Bangkok today John Isner needed a 3rd set tiebreak to beat Kittipong Wachiramanowong

Glad this was tennis and not a spelling bee.

Lot's of strange results happening so far on the Asian swing. One thing for sure, the tournaments have good fields. Not sure if we will see Federer or Nadal in Asia as both have played a lot this year, and have had off the court issues. Federer with his marriage and kids, and Nadal with injuries.

Kimiko Date-Krumm Secures 1st Top 30 Scalp in her Comeback

2009-09-24T07:37:29Z

38 year old Kimiko Date-Krumm accomplished two major things this week at the Hansol Korean Open. She secured her first WTA main draw win in 13 years when she defeated Korean wildcard Ye-Ra Lee in the opening round on Wednesday, and to cap it all off dispatched her first top 30 opponent in 5th seeded Russian Alisa Kleybanova 4-6, 7-6, 6-3 on Thursday ensuring her a quarterfinal birth against top seed Daniela Hantuchova.

Date-Krumm has lost many tough three setters this year beginning with a 6-8 loss to Kaia Kanepi at the Australian Open. She has also lost three setters this year to U.S. Open finalist Caroline Wozniacki, Sabine Lisicki, and Anabel Medina-Garrigues.

This loss is quite troubling for Kleybanova who has been unable to win a match since her semifinal finish at Toronto where she blew a third set lead to Maria Sharapova.

Jamie RS

Oudin Takes Her Act to Asia

2009-09-24T02:35:16Z

Saying it is furthest she has ever been away from home, Melanie Oudin, who turned the ripe ole age of 18 today boarded a plane this week for Japan. Then China... then who knows.

Oudin finds herself now with some pressure. Much will be expected of her after how showing at Flushing Meadows. The draws will be tough, her ranking in the 40's will not get her seeded, but she will gain some more valuable experience as this year winds down.

Anything else she does this year in my opinion will be gravy. The real test will take place as 2010 begins in Australia. A good run "down under" will put her in good position for the rest of 2010, and he ranking could jet up even more.

Oudin had a busy couple weeks off after she lost to Wozniacki in the quarters. She appeared on Ellen, Conan, threw out the first pitch at an Atlanta Braves game, was honored on the field at an Atlanta Falcons game, and signed a couple endorsement deals. Big stuff for someone who just turned 18.