Safin vs. Srichaphan 1st round Wimby predictions

[BreakPoint]

Looks like Safin will play Srichaphan in the 1st round tomorrow on Center Court at Wimbledon. Assuming this match will likely get a lot of air time on ESPN2, as it's the last match of the day. I'm really looking forward to watching this match! Should be a good one! Srichaphan has not been playing well as of late, but Safin has admitted that he absolutely hates playing on grass. Srichaphan also took out Agassi at the Big W a few years back, so we know he can play on grass.

Any predictions? I think it'll be a good match. In any case, it's definitely going to be a hard hitting match from both sides.

 

[NoBadMojo]

Safin has a very bad knee and said he hated W and thePan is on a big downward spiral...not exactly a great match. i think Safin will dust him unless he is totally immobile.

 

[tandayu]

I think the result is very unpredictable, just like both players. I like them both, but anything with either player is possible.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

I think the result is very unpredictable, just like both players. I like them both, but anything with either player is possible.

let's hope it won't be an RETIRED RETIRED on center court

 

[D-man]

lol pretty funny , i say safin in 3

 

[Max G.]

I'd go with Safin, who's just had a good grasscourt tournament. Srichaphan hasn't been playing that great lately.

 

[ibemadskillzz]

I expect this match to be an upset. Paradorn over Safin. Paradorn has beaten Agassi in Wimby.

 

[VictorS.]

I like both players. I definitely think Safin is the favorite going in having posted good results in the Halle grass court tune-up. Srichaphan has been in a slump for quite some time now. I'd like to see him get out of it because he's an entertaining and talented player.

 

[Dr.Lobster]

I've got to see this. Sounds like a good start for Wimbeldon 2005.

 

[verdasco67]

hmm safin in straight sets.......if his knee doesnt bother him that is

 

[BreakPoint]

Paradorn also did win the Nottingham tune-up last year prior to Wimbledon, so we know he can play on the green turf. Should be fun to watch.

 

[Max G.]

hmm safin in straight sets.......if his knee doesnt bother him that is

His knee, however, WILL bother him. It's a given that he'll be playing with pain and/or lots of painkillers.

I still think Safin wins this, despite his knee.

 

[snv]

Yeah, Safin for sure. I don't think he would enter unless coming into it with SOME confidence.

 

[pound cat]

After Halle Marat is riding on a sea of grass condfidence, and unless all the painkillers he's taking for his knee blur his mind even further ( he should be undergoing surgery on it right now instead of playing tennis), he'll beat Paradorn in straight sets. GO MARAT!....

 

[bluedevilinnj]

im really looking foward to this match, and given safin's recent success on grass, i'll take him in straights

 

[d70]

i'd like to see srichaphan beat the shxt outta safin. like that's gonna happen.

 

[TwistServe]

Wow srichaphan is having a terrible year. He needs to fire his dad and get a real coach.. He is on shakey grounds for a big depression.

 

[akj27]

i dont get these players that have family members as coach, this is their career on the line

 

[anirut]

Coach or no coach or family member or someone else won't make much difference if you're playing at that level.

It all depends on the number of folds and the density of neurons in the fatty grey matter hidden under the player's skull. And the player's ability to make use of it.

 

[anirut]

And Safin won 6-2, 6-4, 6-4

Let's see how the other Thai guy, D. Udomchoke, plays with Koubek.

 

[ibemadskillzz]

Paradorn is the worst tennis player right now. He is not consistent at all, and his serves are shaky too. He has bad form for forehand and backhand- his shots are ugly. Any American could have taken out injured Safin in the first round such as Vince Spadea, Kevin Kim, and more.

 

[gts072]

Paradorn got wasted and owned by Safin during their Wimbledon match. I suggest he plays Futures or Satellite tournaments instead.

 

[ATXtennisaddict]

And Safin won 6-2, 6-4, 6-4

Let's see how the other Thai guy, D. Udomchoke, plays with Koubek.

UdomCHOKE...hmm...

 

[Tennis Ball Hitter]

I didn't watch the whole match but it seemed Paradorn was more interested in playing up to the crowd

 

[BreakPoint]

Safin played really well, like a machine. Tons more winners than unforced errors. He also kept his cool the whole time.

Paradorn still had chances, though. He had triple break point to go up 5-3 in the 2nd set, and could have served out the 2nd set. Safin hit a lucky shot that skimmed off of the edge of the sideline. Paradorn then had a couple of break points to even the match at 5-5 in the 3rd set,, but again, Safin came up with the goods to save those points and then closed out the match with two service winners in a row.

 

[Max G.]

Paradorn is the worst tennis player right now. He is not consistent at all, and his serves are shaky too. He has bad form for forehand and backhand- his shots are ugly. Any American could have taken out injured Safin in the first round such as Vince Spadea, Kevin Kim, and more.

I disagree that those americans would have beaten him. Safin just had a great week in Halle two weeks ago, beating a bunch of guys and then losing to Federer; he seems to be playing at about the same level now. This doesn't necessarily mean that it'll take a Federer to beat him - but it also means that he's playing well enough to beat most. In Halle, he beat Popp, Santoro (albeit on a retirement, but they were even in the third), Rochus, and Canas. Those are no slouches on grass courts. Safin will have his hands full with Philippoussis, but I don't think that Spadea or Kim would have mounted much more opposition than Srichaphan.

 

[Pushmaster]

I thought Safin played a very clean match today, and was so cool and calm that it was almost disgusting! It didn't look like anything was wrong with his knee to me, I agree with Brad Gilbert that he's probably just using it as a crutch. Safin is definitely playing some great tennis right now and despite having a tough draw I think he can get at least to the quarters. Safin is beatable, but as Max G. has alluded to it certainly won't be by Spadea or Kim.

 

[grif]

In Halle, he beat Popp, Santoro (albeit on a retirement, but they were even in the third), Rochus, and Canas. Those are no slouches on grass courts. Safin will have his hands full with Philippoussis, but I don't think that Spadea or Kim would have mounted much more opposition than Srichaphan.

Actually, Safin (who was injured himself) broke Santoro's serve in the 3rd set, which prompted the frenchman to quit.

 

[grif]

J.Mcenroe was commenting afterwards on Safin's match on the BBC highlight show. He said (I don't have the exact transcript):

"The good news is that's the best I've ever seen Safin play on grass. He did a lot of good things in that match. His power is awesome and his movement was great. At his best he can beat anyone on this surface. He was also enjoying himself in that match.

The bad news is that, of all the seeds, Safin has by far the hardest path in the draw! Do I think he'll win the tournament ? No, but he has shown himself to be a contender."