clayman2000
Hall of Fame
For the fourth time, I will attempt to pick the 8 mens FO quarterfinalists, and the winner from there on. Here goes:
Quarterfinal 1:
[1] Roger Federer vs [23] Ernests Gulbis:
Roger Federer makes it here for reasons that need not be explained. While the botton section looks tricky considering Cilic and Soderling's recent slam success, as well as Montanes' good form, for me, Gulbis is the clear fav to get through. Soderling's form from the HC's is nowhere to be seen. Ditto for Cilic. This is the perfect section of the draw for Gulbis, who is riding on confidence
Quarterfinal 2:
[4] Andy Murray vs [21] Tommy Robredo:
The weakest draw section. Murray makes it through because after Isner and Mathieu, his draw is filled with CC clowns. And I doubt Isner and Mathieu can take 3 sets of him. Despite only 4 cc matches for Robredo, the 4 time RG QFist also draws a bunch of CC clowns. His experience will help him make it through
Quaterfinal 3:
[9] David Ferrer vs [3] Novak Djokovic:
After Nadal, Ferrer has had the 2nd best overall CC season. Melzer could pose a challenge, but Ferrer will ride his confidence. Djokovic, despite a slump, has been given a good draw. Really only Querrey can outmatch him pace wise, but its doubtfull he makes the R16's
Quarterfinal 4:
[7] Fernando Verdasco vs [2] Rafa Nadal:
Nadal is a given. Verdasco, despite a poor end to a great claycourt season, gained valuable rest with an early loss in Madrid. He has a tough draw, but Kohl has struggled since MC, and Almagro showed in Madrid why he will never be able to go consistently deep in slams.
QF's:
Roger Federer def. Ernests Gulbis
Andy Murray def. Tommy Robredo
David Ferrer def. Novak Djokovic
Rafa Nadal def. Fernando Verdasco
SF's:
Federer def. Murray
Nadal def. Ferrer
F:
Nadal def. Federer
Murray is my big surprise, who will make it based on a combo of a joke draw, and his improvement in every tourney since MC. Ferrer will take out the Djoker because Novak has shown his inability over the past 12 months to beat in form players (e.g Haas on grass, Davy in fall, Verdasco on clay). Nadal makes the semis because hes Nadal. Gulbis has the ability to take a set of Fed, but doesnt yet have the consistency to take 3.
So there is my prediction. Obviously the final is pretty easy to predict. Im just really shocked how weak Quarter 2 is. Del Po, and Davydenko being out really hurt the quality of the draw
Quarterfinal 1:
[1] Roger Federer vs [23] Ernests Gulbis:
Roger Federer makes it here for reasons that need not be explained. While the botton section looks tricky considering Cilic and Soderling's recent slam success, as well as Montanes' good form, for me, Gulbis is the clear fav to get through. Soderling's form from the HC's is nowhere to be seen. Ditto for Cilic. This is the perfect section of the draw for Gulbis, who is riding on confidence
Quarterfinal 2:
[4] Andy Murray vs [21] Tommy Robredo:
The weakest draw section. Murray makes it through because after Isner and Mathieu, his draw is filled with CC clowns. And I doubt Isner and Mathieu can take 3 sets of him. Despite only 4 cc matches for Robredo, the 4 time RG QFist also draws a bunch of CC clowns. His experience will help him make it through
Quaterfinal 3:
[9] David Ferrer vs [3] Novak Djokovic:
After Nadal, Ferrer has had the 2nd best overall CC season. Melzer could pose a challenge, but Ferrer will ride his confidence. Djokovic, despite a slump, has been given a good draw. Really only Querrey can outmatch him pace wise, but its doubtfull he makes the R16's
Quarterfinal 4:
[7] Fernando Verdasco vs [2] Rafa Nadal:
Nadal is a given. Verdasco, despite a poor end to a great claycourt season, gained valuable rest with an early loss in Madrid. He has a tough draw, but Kohl has struggled since MC, and Almagro showed in Madrid why he will never be able to go consistently deep in slams.
QF's:
Roger Federer def. Ernests Gulbis
Andy Murray def. Tommy Robredo
David Ferrer def. Novak Djokovic
Rafa Nadal def. Fernando Verdasco
SF's:
Federer def. Murray
Nadal def. Ferrer
F:
Nadal def. Federer
Murray is my big surprise, who will make it based on a combo of a joke draw, and his improvement in every tourney since MC. Ferrer will take out the Djoker because Novak has shown his inability over the past 12 months to beat in form players (e.g Haas on grass, Davy in fall, Verdasco on clay). Nadal makes the semis because hes Nadal. Gulbis has the ability to take a set of Fed, but doesnt yet have the consistency to take 3.
So there is my prediction. Obviously the final is pretty easy to predict. Im just really shocked how weak Quarter 2 is. Del Po, and Davydenko being out really hurt the quality of the draw
