Any dark horses for a deep Australian Open run?

[JRAJ1988]

That title seems a bit (post watershed) In your opinions do you have any "Dark Horse" for a memorable run in Melbourne? I did 5 each for both genders.

Jerermy Chardy and Sloane Stephens had memorable runs (Nothing dietary ) last year, maybe with Sloane her run was expected given her reputation as a conduit of potential. Chardy knocked out Del Potro in the 3rd round last year if I remember, quite a shock.

For the Men: Monfils, Hewitt, Dimitrov, Baghdatis, Robredo?

For the Women: Bouchard, Pennetta, Petkovic, Venus Williams, Giorgi?

Or will it be the same old same old of the players you expect to go deep yet not win it...Berdych and Aggie Radwanska springs to mind in that category.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Gilles Simon.

 

[rdis10093]

lleyton should be hot

 

[KillerServe]

Ernests Gulbis

 

[captainbryce]

Lleyton Hewitt
Venus Williams

Even though, these two players traditionally haven't done very well at the AO throughout their career, each only reaching the final once. But their play as of this month has been impressive, and they are former world number 1, grand slam champions.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Lleyton Hewitt
Venus Williams

Even though, these two players traditionally haven't done very well at the AO throughout their career, each only reaching the final once. But their play as of this month has been impressive, and they are former world number 1, grand slam champions.

Just two months ago you were saying Hewitt would not even be in the top 10 today at his peak, now he is a dark horse to make the final?

 

[timnz]

Just two months ago you were saying Hewitt would not even be in the top 10 today at his peak, now he is a dark horse to make the final?

Yeah that is amazing thing for them to say (about not being in the top 10) since Hewitt who is clearly not the player he was from 2001-2005 - still regularly takes sets off Djokovic and gives him really hard matches. So their logic then is that post-peak Hewitt, who has had a ton of injuries and surgeries, still gives Djokovic hard matches - but peak Hewitt wouldn't be in the top 10? Doesn't make much sense to me.

I don't know who it will be, maybe Hewitt, maybe not.....but I feel in my bones that someone will be in the final other than the usual guys this year.....like Baggy was in 2006 or Tsonga was in 2008.

 

[JRAJ1988]

I'm feeling a 4th round Hewitt run and a QF for Venus (I'm your fire, your desire..good song)

 

[MichaelNadal]

I would love for Venus to make the second week. Same with Rusty, Stan, Delpo.

 

[BHud]

The Donald! His mother has implemented a new approach in preparation for 2014...:twisted:

 

[swordtennis]

If the AO courts play like Brisbane then I can def see a Hewitt, Stan or DelPo getting to the SF-F stage and have more chance to pull off winning it all.
If the ball is skidding more this year then We just might see Hewitt, Stan, Jerzy, DelPo, etc...in the final stages.
I really hope we get a nice mix at the SF stage.

 

[Backspin1183]

Nishikori, Monfils, Hewitt.

 

[Lukhas]

Thread recycling? Thread recycling. This should be the motto of this section really; but I guess it doesn't surprise anyone here. :lol:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=486481

 

[Zildite]

Depends on the draw, Tomic will only lose to a top 8 or better player

 

[swordtennis]

Thread recycling? Thread recycling. This should be the motto of this section really; but I guess it doesn't surprise anyone here. :lol:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=486481

I still do not know why thread masters do not do a search and revitalize old threads.

I forgot about Stronga the French Ali!
I would love to see him at the SF stage at least.

Give us Brisbane courts. Make all hard courts like Brisbane!

 

[FreeBird]

Novak Djokovic. 8) Just kidding.

Honestly, I expect Monfils and Gulbis to go deeper. No expectations from JJ considering that he is still on the mend.

 

[swordtennis]

Nishikori, Monfils, Hewitt.

Big fan of Nishikori. He gets injured tho. It is sad. He is forced to grind and he can not. He is a little like Hewitt in that he would benefit with faster lower bouncing courts that promoted a more balanced play. Hewitt loved those old US Open courts.

 

[swordtennis]

Novak Djokovic. 8) Just kidding.

Honestly, I expect Monfils and Gulbis to go deeper. No expectations from JJ considering that he is still on the mend.

Well of course we want Novak to win it all. But you know and we have discussed this before the Bros love tennis first and foremost.
I will stay up and watch matches even after Novak is eliminated. I just start rooting for Stan, DelPo, etc...

 

[FreeBird]

Well of course we want Novak to win it all. But you know and we have discussed this before the Bros love tennis first and foremost.
I will stay up and watch matches even after Novak is eliminated. I just start rooting for Stan, DelPo, etc...

I will try to watch all the matches too..Delpo, Haas, Gulbis, JJ for me. :twisted:
Time zone is a problem for me. Somehow, It is easier to watch matches at 3 or 4 AM rather than at 9 or 10 AM. I don't remember the last time when I woke up before 11 AM. :lol:

 

[swordtennis]

I will try to watch all the matches too..Delpo, Haas, Gulbis, JJ for me. :twisted:
Time zone is a problem for me. Somehow, It is easier to watch matches at 3 or 4 AM rather than at 9 or 10 AM. I don't remember the last time when I woke up before 11 AM. :lol:

Ditto. We def have to get Bob and friends together on at least the Novak match threads. I am sure NADALRECORD will be trolling hardcore. can not wait! :twisted:

 

[Fed for Pope]

Hewitt, Monfils, Stan, Delpo, Janowicz(if not choking hard)

 

[Backspin1183]

By the way, does anyone know what time the draw is out today?

 

[sbengte]

For the Men: Monfils, Hewitt, Dimitrov, Baghdatis, Robredo?

Yes, if dark horse/going deep means making it to the third round :neutral:

Boy, there is a serious dearth of names to even pick as realistic dark horses. The ATP hasn't been in a more sad state as long as I can remember.

 

[sbengte]

Ditto. We def have to get Bob and friends together on at least the Novak match threads. I am sure NADALRECORD will be trolling hardcore. can not wait! :twisted:

Ah those 2011 AO days when NADALRECORD (in another form of course) went on and on about the Rafa Slam and 5 slams in a row until Ferrer rained on his parade.

 

[swordtennis]

Ah those 2011 AO days when NADALRECORD (in another form of course) went on and on about the Rafa Slam and 5 slams in a row until Ferrer rained on his parade.

Ah ha! There was a very strange familiar feel to this poaster. Now I seem to remember this NadRecorder dude. He was under a different guise. My gut feeling was right. He is a fraud!

 

[FreeBird]

Ah ha! There was a very strange familiar feel to this poaster. Now I seem to remember this NadRecorder dude. He was under a different guise. My gut feeling was right. He is a fraud!

There are always at least 4-5 Nadrec accounts here. No wonder you recognized one of those in 2011. :neutral:

 

[Edgecrusher]

Men: Gulbis and Jerzy though they are both headcases

Women: Ivanović and Lisicki if they can master the mental challenge

 

[m2nk2]

JJ just lost 2nd round in a 250 tournament so..

If would be cool if Rusty and Edberg could go really deep.

 

[sbengte]

Ah ha! There was a very strange familiar feel to this poaster. Now I seem to remember this NadRecorder dude. He was under a different guise. My gut feeling was right. He is a fraud!

Are you kidding me ? 'strange familiar feel' ? 'seem to remember' ? Show some respect please, he is a legend over here

I wonder if 2013 will replace 2011 as the best AO in history since Rafa is going for the double calendar slam.

This is the best Australian Open in history, it's like all the stars are falling into alignment for the tournament as a whole, because of THE RAFA SLAM. We even witnessed the greatest hilarity in tennis history (KimWood aka textgate).

 

[Old Chemist]

Tsonga looks good

 

[sbengte]

Tsonga looks good

Hmm...that means he will land in Djoker's half of the draw.

 

[MindoverMatter]

I can't believe nobody is even mentioning Tomic. This year is going to be a turning point! His father is out for a while so he has another coach making him work hard, and he's growing up and maturing (little by little, haha). The only thing that's stopped him before was Federer (not exactly a problem this year I feel like...) and Nadal. If he avoids them in the draw or someone else takes them out, he could go far.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Hmm...that means he will land in Djoker's half of the draw.

So true, so true.

 

[Backspin1183]

Hmm...that means he will land in Djoker's half of the draw.

Let's hope he does. He has to avenge his 2008 final defeat 8)

 

[Djokovic2011]

Let's hope he does. He has to avenge his 2008 final defeat 8)

I have a feeling Novak will get Federer in his quarter, I've had that feeling since WTF. Naturally I expect Nadal to get Berdych-if by some miracle he gets DelPo I will run out my apartment block naked. And believe me it's very cold at the moment in Manchester!

 

[FreeBird]

I have a feeling Novak will get Federer in his quarter, I've had that feeling since WTF. Naturally I expect Nadal to get Berdych-if by some miracle he gets DelPo I will run out my apartment block naked. And believe me it's very cold at the moment in Manchester!

One moment of silence for all those who will see you naked. :twisted:
I dont remember the last time Delpo was in Nadal's Quarter.

 

[Backspin1183]

I have a feeling Novak will get Federer in his quarter, I've had that feeling since WTF. Naturally I expect Nadal to get Berdych-if by some miracle he gets DelPo I will run out my apartment block naked. And believe me it's very cold at the moment in Manchester!

So, let's hope Nadal gets Delpo then

 

[Backspin1183]

One moment of silence for all those who will see you naked. :twisted:
I dont remember the last time Delpo was in Nadal's Quarter.

If Nadal can't beat Delpo, he sure doesn't deserve to win the title. Nadal beat him at Wimbledon in 2011. Don't know who usually draws this guy as he doesn't always reach the quarter finals in slams.

 

[jg153040]

Nadal is so lucky. He has been avoiding Delpo and Murray in majors for years.

 

[Backspin1183]

Nadal is so lucky. He has been avoiding Delpo and Murray in majors for years.

and still beat Murray 6 times out of 8 matches in slams. Amazing this guy Rafa 8)
Delpo I don't care much about him. He defeats Nadal once in like 3-4 years.

 

[jg153040]

and still beat Murray 6 times out of 8 matches in slams. Amazing this guy Rafa 8)
Delpo I don't care much about him. He defeats Nadal once in like 3-4 years.

That wasn't Murray 2.0 yet.

So, Rafa better watch out for the next 12 years for Delpo!

Delpo is working out. And he is entering his prime.

I will laugh at Rafa fans when Delpo will finally defeat Rafa at RG 2018. Haha, Rafa fans. In your face!!! Only 12 RG for Rafa.

 

[Djokovic2011]

So, let's hope Nadal gets Delpo then

Yeah I really hope Nadal does get DelPo but I also don't want to go running naked haha. Nobody wants to see that at the moment believe me!

 

[LazyNinja19]

Djoko is the favorite, no?
Second fav is Federer. After all, his matches are entirely on his racquet. No?

Nadal is the Dark horse, IMO! 8)

 

[Djokovic2011]

Djoko is the favorite, no?
Second fav is Federer. After all, his matches are entirely on his racquet. No?

Nadal is the Dark horse, IMO! 8)

Nadal has got this year's title mate. 5 years is way too long for such a great champion to go without winning this tournament. Bamos!

 

[Backspin1183]

Yeah I really hope Nadal does get DelPo but I also don't want to go running naked haha. Nobody wants to see that at the moment believe me!

Just pulling your leg, mate
I hope DelPo does well in Melbourne. He doesn't always reach the quarter finals or semi finals to pose a threat to the top 3 players.

 

[Backspin1183]

Djoko is the favorite, no?
Second fav is Federer. After all, his matches are entirely on his racquet. No?

Nadal is the Dark horse, IMO! 8)

This. It's on Roger Federer's racquet.

 

[jg153040]

This. It's on Roger Federer's racquet.

According to Nadal fans all matches are on Fed's opposition's racquets.

It's all about the era letting Fed to win or not.

 

[librarysteg]

I had one of my tennis dreams about Matosevic a couple of weeks ago. I was doing his laundry for him. I interpreted it to mean he'll "clean up his act" this year. He's had two good weeks so I could see him going surprisingly deep at the Australian...I don't think he'll win it, but maybe he'll make the quarters.

 

[FreeBird]

I had one of my tennis dreams about Matosevic a couple of weeks ago. I was doing his laundry for him. I interpreted it to mean he'll "clean up his act" this year. He's had two good weeks so I could see him going surprisingly deep at the Australian...I don't think he'll win it, but maybe he'll make the quarters.

You and your dreams...lol...never true. :lol:

 

[librarysteg]

You and your dreams...lol...never true. :lol:

I started out strong...dreamt about Nadal for French and Murray for Wimbledon, but it's been all downhill from there. I think I'm just not reading the signs quite right...like this Matosevic omen. It doesn't mean he'll win, just that he's one to keep an eye on I do love my tennis dreams, though, I mean how odd to dream about doing Matosevic's laundry.