TennisToday

The 2013 French Open Draws are Set

Defending champions Rafa & Maria helped make the draw.

Maria kind of spoiled the party as she put Rafa in Nole's half.

So what should be a final can only happen in a semifinal.

Boo.

You can check the men's draw HERE.

The men's quarterfinals are seeded to look like this:

Nole/Tipsy; Rafa/Gasquet; Ferrer/Berdy; Roger/Jo-W.

The top 3 really got decent draws. I'm thinking they'll all be Sf-ists.

Hell, I'll go as far as to say all 4 top seeds will all make it.

You can check the women's draw HERE.

Really? Ain't nobody beating Serena this year. Nobody.

But for shits and giggles this is the quarterfinal projections:

Serena/Kerber; Aga/Sara; Vika/Na; Maria/Petra.

***

I don't like predictions much but here goes.

Serena will storm to the title.

And to wuss out I'll just say the winner of Rafa/Nole takes it.

But I think I'll hedge toward Rafa.

 

 

The Olympic Tennis Draws are Out

Real quick entry. Projected quarterfinals for the men and women.

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MEN

Top Half

1 Roger Federer vs 8 Janko Tipsarevic

Spoilers: 14 Fernando Verdasco, 10 John Isner, David Nalbandian

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4 David Ferrer vs 8 Juan Martin Del Potro

Spoilers: 12 Gilles Simon, 15 Kei Noshikori, Philipp Kohlshreiber

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Bottom Half

3 Andy Murray vs 6 Tomas Berdych

Spoilers: 11 Nicolas Almagro, 16 Richard Gasquet, Ryan Harrison

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2 Novak Djokovic vs 5 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

Spoilers: 9 Juan Monaco, 13 Marin Cilic, Andy Roddick

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WOMEN

Top Half

1 Victoria Azarenka vs 7 Angelique Kerber

Spoilers: 9 Sara Errani, 16 Nadia Petrova, Venus Williams

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4 Serena Williams vs 8 Caroline Wozniacki

Spoilers: 10 Li Na, 13 Vera Zvonareva, Jelena Jankovic

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Bottom Half

3 Maria Sharapova vs 5 Samantha Stosur

Spoilers: 11 Ana Ivanovic, 15 Sabine Lisicki, Kim Clijsters

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2 Agnieszka Radwanska vs 6 Petra Kvitova

Spoilers: 12 Dominika Cibulkova, 14 Maria Kirilenko, Julia Goerges

Men's & Women's Draws Set for Roland Garros 2011

256 men & woman are playing the next fortnight for these 2 coveted prizes.

MEN

The ?'s: Can Novak remain unbeaten? Can Rafa retain his title & #1 ranking?

Quarterfinal Seeded Projections

1 Rafael Nadal vs 5 Robin Soderling

Danger seeds: 16 Fernando Verdasco, 18 Gilles Simon, 27 Marcos Baghdatis

Floaters: Juan Monaco, Somdev Devvarman, Ivan Ljubicic, Federico Gil

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4 Andy Murray vs 8 Jurgen Melzer

Danger seeds: 11 Nicolas Almagro, 15 Viktor Troicki, 20 Florian Mayer,

21 Alexandr Dolgopolov, 26 Milos Raonic

Floaters: Qualifier heavy quarter

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3 Roger Federer vs 7 David Ferrer

Danger seeds: 9 Gael Monfils, 14 Stanislas Wawrinka, 17 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

22 Michael Llodra, 29 Janko Tipsarevic

Floaters: Feliciano Lopez, Pere Riba, Philipp Petzschner

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2 Novak Djokovic vs 6 Tomas Berdych

Danger seeds: 12 Mikhail Youhzny, 13 Richard Gasquet, 19 Marin Cilic

23 Thomaz Bellucci, 25 Juan Martin Del Potro

Floaters: Ivo Karlovic, Radek Stepanek, Marcel Granollers

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WOMEN

The ?'s: Will Caro finally bag her 1st Slam? How'll Kim return from injury?

Quarterfinal Seeded Projections

1 Caroline Wozniacki vs 8 Samantha Stosur

Danger seeds: 11 Marion Bartoli, 13 Sveta Kuznetsova, 17 Julia Goerges

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3 Vera Zvonareva vs 5 Francesca Schiavone

Danger seeds: 10 Jelena Jankovic, 14 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

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4 Victoria Azarenka vs 6 Li Na

Danger seeds: 9 Petra Kvitova, 20 Ana Ivanovic, 22 Dominika Cilbulkova

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2 Kim Clijsters vs 7 Maria Sharapova

Danger seeds: 12 Agnieszka Radwanska, 15 Andrea Petkovic

***

Alright. I'm ready. Allez.

Cute together: Rafa and Ana were on-hand for the draw ceremony.

Draw Announced for ATP World Tour Finals in London

Group A: Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Tomas Berdych, Andy Roddick

Group B: Roger Federer, Robin Soderling, Andy Murray, David Ferrer

Ah yes, and Rafa & Roger fans are fast saying their man has it tougher.

Get over it: I think they are pretty even.

VS their groupings: Rafa is 28-13 & Roger is 29-9. See. Stop bitching.

Hell, take Murray out of Fed's equation and he's 24-1...

3 of the 4 Slam finals will be re-matched in the round robin stage:

Aussie: Rog vs Murray, Wimby: Rafa vs Tomas, US: Rafa vs Novak.

Roger & Novak are the only past champions in the 8-man field:

Roger held aloft the trophy 4 times: '03-4, '06-7 - Novak in '08.

Roger is looking to tie Ivan Lendl & Pete Sampras with their record 5 titles.

Rafa is looking to cap a remarkable year with his 1st ATP Tour Final title.

Hmm: Of Rafa's 43 career ATP titles he ha only won 1 indoors.

This is the 1st time since '98 that the previous years finalists are a no show:

'98: Alex Corretja d Carlos Moya - '09: Nikolay Davydenko d JM Del Potro

The fun starts Sunday - on Tennis Channel here in the States.

This ought to be ome jolly good fun.

Photo: Getty Images

US Open Men's Draw Preview: My Take on Things

Roger & Rafa: Winners of the first 3 Grand Slams of 2010.

First Quarter - Projected Quarterfinal

1 Rafael Nadal vs 8 Fernando Verdasco

Other seeds in this quarter: 10 David Ferrer, 15 Ivan Ljubicic, 23 Feliciano Lopez, 24 Ernests Gulbis, 29 Philipp Kohlschreiber, 31 David Nalbandian

Floaters of note: Gilles Simon, Alexsandr Dolgopolov, Sergiy Stakhovsy

Thoughts: First off I'm going to confess that I'm not good (nor do I like) predictions. But I'll give things a go... Starting at the top.

Here we go again with all this talk of 'Rafa never plays well at the US Open. On what planet do I live when back-to-back semifinals at the Open is considered not well? Sure he crashed out in both matches but there is only ONE other player who can say that they've been to the last 2 US Open semifinals (if you have to ask...). Rafa should have an easy time with his opening couple of matches before he could tussle with Kohlschreiber in the 3rd - a player who has played Rafa pretty closely many times in the past. Awaiting him in the 4th round could be a pair of guys that beaten him this year - Lopez (Queens) or Ljubicic (Indian Wells) - I don't see repeats. Rafa is projected to play Verdasco (who has been off lately) in the quarters but with an in-form Nalbadian (with a pretty draw) on a tear one might be wise to place your bets on the Argentine. I am.

Prediction: 1 Rafael Nadal v 31 David Nalbandian

*****

Second Quarter - Projected Quarterfinal

4 Andy Murray vs 7 Tomas Berdych

Other seeds in this quarter: 12 Mikhail Youzhny, 14 Nicolas Almagro, 18 John Isner, 20 Sam Querrey, 25 Stanislas Wawrinka, 28 Radek Stepanek

Floaters of note: Tommy Robredo, Victor Hanescu, Michael Llodra

Thoughts: My first thought is - toss off Isner. If he even posts his injury won't allow for a significant run. His buddy Querrey though is due to make a good showing at a Slam and looking at his and Murray's draws I'd say that they are a lock to meet in the 4th round. That's called a night match in Ashe. The winner of that match will likely play Berdych in the quarters. I don't see anyone standing in Berdych's way and there is a strong case to be made that he has been the second best player on the year - at the very least third best.

Prediction: 4 Andy Murray vs 7 Tomas Berdych

*****

Third Quarter - Projected Quarterfinal

3 Novak Djokovic vs 6 Nicolay Davydenko

Other seeds in the quarter: 9 Andy Roddick, 16, Marcos Baghdatis, 17 Gael Monfils, 19 Mardy Fish, 26 Thomaz Bellucci, 30 Juan Monaco

Floaters of note: Richard Gaquet, Igor Andreev, James Blake

Thoughts: You know how there is always that one quarter that didn't go as planned? I think this one is going to be it... This summer I'm just not feeling it from Djokovic or Davydenko. And yes Novak, it's going to be hot next week. My biggest problem with this quarter is Fish - and I only say that because I'm already tired of hearing about his remarkable weight loss and the Open hasn't even started. Fish and Baghdatis should meet in the 3rd round and the winner there will likely face (and sadly, probably beat) Djokovic. Also in this quarter is Roddick. Roddick was handed a dream draw and there is NO way he will lose before the quarters - pen him in.

Prediction: 9 Andy Roddick vs 19 Mardy Fish

*****

Fourth Quarter - Projected Quarterfinal

2 Roger Federer vs 5 Robin Soderling

Other seeds in the quarter: 11 Marin Cilic, 13 Jurgen Melzer, 21 Albert Montanes, 22 Juan Carlos Ferrero, 27 Fernando Gonzalez, 32 Lleyton Hewitt

Floaters of note: Taylor Dent, Thiemo De Bakker, Alejandro Falla

Thoughts: My first thought when I typed the 'other seeds in the quarter' was: maybe the US Open should use Wimbledon's method of seeding. My second thought when I studied this quarter was: there is not a single player in this quarter that is going to upset Federer and Soderling meeting in a blockbuster quarterfinal. You disagree? Who then? Dabul, Ruffin, Mello, Phau? See what I mean.

Prediction: 2 Roger Federer vs 5 Robin Soderling

*****

Of course the qualifiers have not been set yet and that can always create some fun but I think 5 of the 8 top seeds will go to form and from there I make no predictions. I am not in the guessing game. I like to sit back and enjoy. And my enjoyment will commence Monday morning. And one last thing - I am in NO MOOD for rain.

Rafael Nadal Pulls Draw for Toronto ATP Master's 1000 - Rafa & Roger on Opposite Sides of the Draw

Yes, I am one of the few bozo's that actually watched the live feed.

I loved in the beginning how they didn't know if Rafa would be 'uncomfortable' with placing Roger in the draw and they were going to have someone else do it - Rafa just shrugged, "For me is not a problem."

As it turned out he pulled #4 Andy Murray's name to join him in the top half of the draw which naturally put Roger in the bottom. So the next installment of the Rafa/Roger show can not happened before the final.

I haven't actually seen the draw yet but both players have their work cut out for them if they are to meet in the final. These Masters 1000 events are brutal right from round one.

There was a short Q&A after the draw was complete and of course Rafa was asked about 'the knees' - he reassured the panting press that they are 100%.

I'll do my usual preview of the draw on Sunday.

Wimbledon: The Women's Bracket has been Drawn

The women's bracket has been drawn. Here is a brief breakdown.

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1 Serena Williams vs 7 Agnieszka Radwanska - First Quarter Projection

SW's path: 3R: 25 Lucie Safarova 4R: 16 Maria Sharapova/24 D Hantuchova

AR's path: 3R: 32 Sara Errani 4R: 9 Li Na/19 Svetlana Kuznetsova

Thoughts:

A Serena/Maria 4R match would be awesome.

Svetlana looks like a big name but she has been a non-factor all year.

Not a big prediction but an all-Williams final seems a near sure bet.

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3 Caroline Wozniacki vs 6 Samantha Stosur - Second Quarter Projection

CW's path: 3R: 29 A Pavlyuchenkova 4R: 14 Victoria Azarenka/23 Zheng Jie

SS's path: 3R: 31 Alexandra Dulgheru 4R: 10 Flavia Pennetta/18 Aravane Rezai

Thoughts: This is Stosur's quarter. End of story.

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4 Jelena Jankovic vs 8 Kim Clijsters - Third Quarter Projection

JJ's path: 3R: 28 A Bondarenko 4R: 15 Y Wickmayer/21 V Zvonareva

KC's path: 3R: 27 Maria Kirilenko 4R: 12 Nadia Petrova/17 Justine Henin

Thoughts:

Immediately all eyes are focused on a Kim/Justine 4th round encounter.

The winner of that match could very well be the semifinalist here.

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2 Venus Williams vs 5 Francesca Schiavone - Fourth Quarter Projection

VW's path: 3R: A Kleybanova 4R: 13 Shahar Peer/20 Dinara Safina

FS's path: 3R: 30 Y Schvedova 4R: 11 Marion Bartoli/22 MJM Sanchez

Thoughts:

Mmm let's see, Venus on grass - Kleybanova is her only (small) threat.

Sure Dinara is in there but she is a shadow of her former self.

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Photo: Wimbledon Hawk - aeltc

Wimbledon: The Men's Bracket has been Drawn

The men's bracket has been drawn. Here is a brief breakdown.

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1 Roger Federer vs 7 Nikolay Davydenko - First Quarter Projection

RF's path: 3R: 30 Tommy Robredo 4R: 16 Jurgen Melzer/22 Feliciano Lopez

ND's path: 3R: 31 Victor Hanescau 4R: 12 Tomas Berdych/20 Stan Wawrinka

Floaters: Janko Tipsarevic, Benjamin Becker, Denis Istomin, Victor Troicki

Thoughts:

Roger couldn't have asked for a better draw if Mirka had pulled it herself.

If the (a-hem) top seed can't get through this group of guys on grass...

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3 Novak Djokovic vs 5 Andy Roddick - Second Quarter Projection

ND's path: 3R: 28 Albert Montanes 4R: 15 Lleyton Hewitt/21 Gael Monfils

AR's path: 3R: 29 Philipp Kohlschreiber 4R: 11 Marin Cilic/17 Ivan Ljubicic

Floaters: Taylor Dent, Philipp Petzschner, Mardy Fish, Michael Llodra

Thoughts:

Hard to see this quarterfinal not happening unless Monfils catches fire.

Halle champ Hewitt is in there - but he may have left his best in Germany.

A Federer/Roddick rematch of last years final in the semi looks dreamy.

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4 Andy Murray vs 8 Fernando Verdasco - Third Quarter Projection

AM's path: 3R: 26 Gilles Simon 4R: 14 Juan Carlos Ferrero/18 Sam Querrey

FV's path: 3R: 32 Julien Benneteau 4R: 10 JW Tsonga/19 Nicolas Almagro

Floaters: Marco Chuidinelli, Xavier Malisse, Alexandr Dolgopolov

Thoughts:

That quarter could easily read Querrey vs Tsonga - both are dangerous.

More so Querrey - but he'd be playing Murray and the nation.

I once attended a Henman match on Center at Wimby - it was nuts.

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2 Rafael Nadal vs 6 Robin Soderling - Fourth Quarter Projection

RN's path: 3R: 27 Ernests Gulbis 4R: 13 Mikhail Youzhny/23 John Isner

RS's path: 3R: 25 Thomaz Bellucci 4R: 9 David Ferrer/24 Marcos Baghdatis

Floaters: James Blake, Theimo De Bakker, Robbie Ginepri, Jeremy Chardy

Thoughts:

Rafa still gets no love from Wimbledon - he was handed a very tough draw.

Rafa vs Gulbis & Rafa vs Isner could be the best of the pre-quarter matches.

***

Photo: Wimbledon draw bag - aeltc

A Look at the Men's Draw in Miami

So, if I'm one of the top 4 seeds (Federer, Djokovic, Murray, Nadal) I'm breathing pretty easy. No serious roadbumps that I can see. Look for yourself HERE.

Of the four I'd say Djokovic has the trickiest draw with potential matches on his way to the semis against Gasquet, Querrey, Monfils, Ljubicic and Roddick. But most of them will beat each other up before they ever get to him.

Nadal got himself a really nice looking draw. I don't think anyone could bother him until the quarters where he could face Isner or Tsonga but even then the hotel should make his reservation thru the final weekend.

Federer as well. There will not be an early round loss in Miami. Sure Baghdatis is a potential quarterfinal opponent but he WILL NOT beat him in two straight tournaments. Roger should be well rested and making himself comfortable in Miami. Hell, call Gavin and Gwen - tell them to book a trip.

The best of the potential quarters is Andy Murray and Robin Soderling - let's hope that happens. Anyone's guess as to how that one would go...

Please give me a Roger/Rafa final. It's time & I need it.

Projected Quarterfinalists:

1 Roger Federer vs 7 Marin Cilic

3 Andy Murray vs 5 Robin Soderling

4 Rafael Nadal vs 8 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

2 Novak Djokovic vs 6 Andy Roddick

A Look at the Women's Draw in Miami

Naturally the first thing I looked at was where Justine Henin landed in the draw as this will be her last w/c entry - after this tournament she will get direct entry and will be seeded. She has a very winnable 1st round against Jill Craybas and then will face #5 Elena Dementieva. Poor Elena, she has been the unlucky recipient of a couple of Justine's w/c's - she lost to her in the 2nd round at the Australian Open, you'll remember.

Second, I looked for Melanie Oudin - ONLY because I made a wild prediction that if she could win a couple of rounds in Indian Wells and Miami she could find herself seeded at the French Open. Well, she bombed out in the 1st round in Indian Wells but she has a good looking chance to win a round or two here. She starts against a qualifier, then she would play #11 Vera Zvonareva. Stranger upsets have happened.

The sweetest looking draw might just belong to #3 Venus Williams. There are not a lot of players in her quarter that should beat her. Keep a keen eye out for her. Also, #14 Kim Clijsters - she has a great looking chance to go deep as well.

Gotta say tho, without Serena Williams this tournament sure feels a little empty, doesn't it? Hurry back.

Projected Quarterfinalists:

1 Svetlana Kuznetsova vs 8 Li Na

3 Venus Williams vs 6 Agnieszka Radwanska

4 Victoria Azarenka vs 7 Jelena Jankovic

2 Caroline Wozniacki vs 5 Elena Dementieva

View the draw

Indian Wells: A Look at the Women's Draw

View the draw HERE.

With Venus and Serena taking their annual pass on Indian Wells and the last 8 years worth of champions not seeded within the top 8 players - this thing could get pretty whacky before the first weekend is over.

Since the top 32 seeds all enjoy 1st round byes I immediately looked to see where wildcard Justine Henin (with no WTA ranking yet) was placed. It turns out that she got a great draw. First she'll play someone I've never heard of (Rybarikova) and then 31 Dulko in the 2nd round. That would set her up for a 3rd round encounter with 5 Agnieszka Radwanska. Um, look for a deep run from Justine.

Next I looked for #41 Melanie Oudin. A few weeks ago I made a prediction that she would be seeded for the French Open and with a good couple rounds here and in Miami it could happen. She opens against Vinci with a 2nd round match against 2-time champ Daniela Hantuchova. Hey, one match gets me closer to a successful prediction. I'm sticking with it!

Last I looked at the seeded projections for the quarterfinals and after I had a good laugh I plotted a more realistic look. Take a gander. Ok, I know I know - I have a soft spot for Jelena Jankovic. Sue me.

Projected Seeded Quarterfinals:

1 Svetlana Kuznetsova vs 6 Jelena Jankovic

3 Victoria Azarenka vs 8 Samantha Stosur

5 Agnieszka Radwanska vs 4 Elena Dementieva

7 Li Na vs 2 Caroline Wozniacki

*****

Yea right - it'll more likely look like this:

14 Kim Clijsters vs 6 Jelena Jankovic

13 Yanina Wickmayer vs 12 Vera Zvonareva

w/c Justine Henin vs 4 Elena Dementieva

10 Maria Sharapova vs 2 Caroline Wozniacki

It's gonna be that crazy. Anyone else feeling a Kim/Justine final?

A Look at the Women's Draw for the Australian Open

Ah, a full field again. Total awesomeness. Let's take a look-see quarter by quarter:

First Quarter: This is an even year so that means Serena won't win this year but there is no stopping her march into the semifinals. Who will stop her? Suarez Navarro? Sam Stosur? Date Krumm? #7 Azarenka. I'm laughing over here. Ana Ivanovic is in here quarter - nope, still laughing.

Predicted Semifinalist: Serena Williams

Second Quarter: I loved ESPN's headline yesterday about how the Sisters couldn't meet in the final. Um, like that was ever gonna happen. They ain't gonna meet in the semifinals either. Venus just doesn't play well in Australia. Hell, Venus could lose her first match against Safarova.

This is technically Caroline Wozniacki's quarter and she has a few tough players to potentially deal with... Aside from Venus there is #22 Daniela Hantuchova, #16 Li Na and #10 A. Radawanska.

Predicted Semifinalist: Caroline Wozniacki

Third Quarter: Here is the stacked and most exciting quarter of the draw. Check this out, #5 Elena Dementieva is on course to meet just-out-of-retirement Justine Henin in the 2nd round. Then one of those gals might meet #15 and US Open winner Kim Clijsters in the quarterfinals. All this and I haven't even mentioned the high seed in this quarter, #3 Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Predicted Semifinalist: Kim Clijsters

Fourth Quarter: From the looks of things #2 Dinara Safina shouldn't have a problem getting to the 4th round where she has a projected meeting with #14 Maria Sharapova. Dicey. And then there's #8 Jelena Jankovic... who the hell knows what she'll do, we just know it'll be entertaining.

Projected Semifinalist: Maria Sharapova

Final: Kim Clijsters over Serena Williams in 2

A Look at the Men's Draw for the Australian Open

Ha, I knew the minute Nikolay Davydenko beat Roger Federer in Doha that they would end up in the same quarter. But let's just look at this quarter by quarter, shall we.

First Quarter:It's a familiar spot for Roger Federer at the very top of the draw where he has spent most of the last 6 years. Roger could face former #1 Lleyton Hewitt in the 3rd round which is the same round they played a tight match in at the US Open. And that match happens to be my banner photo.

Roger seems to have a pretty clear path to the quarters where he probably face the projected winner of the Fernando Verdasco/Nikolay Davydenko 4th round encounter. Davydenko has beaten Roger the two times they've met - and they were both quite recent. Roger is looking to advance to his 23rd consecutive Slam semifinal - could that streak be broken here?

Predicted semifinalist: Nikolay Davydenko

Second Quarter:This is the weak quarter. Ain't no way Novak Djokovic isn't going to the semifinals here. His projected seeded player is #8 Robin Soderling who is nursing an injury. Possible upset player include #16 Tommy Robredo, #18 Tommy Haas and dangerous floater Richard Gasquet.

Predicted Semifinalist: Novak Djokovic

Third Quarter:Now things get interesting. This quarter houses #4 Juan Martin Del Potro, #7 Andy Roddick, #11 Fernando Gonzalez, #14 Marin Cilic, #19 Stanislas Wawrinka, #21 Tomas Berdych and #25 Sam Querrey. Care to make a guess? I will...

Predicted Semifinalist: Andy Roddick

Fourth Quarter:This would seemingly look to be a Rafael Nadal/Andy Murray quarterfinal but both players have drawn tricky potential 4th round matches. Rafa could face tough guy Radek Stepanek and Andy may face Gael Monfils. I don't think either man will disappoint so look for a blockbuster quarter and a rockin' night match in Melbourne.

Predicted Semifinalist: Rafael Nadal

Final: Rafael Nadal over Nikolay Davydenko in 4