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Monday, March 22, 2010

Miami Preview: Foolish Prognostications.

Professional tennis now moves to Miami for the Sony Ericsson Open.

Tourney Site: here
Draw: here



As I haven't learned my lessons, I will make some foolish prognostications, because well, it's fun. At any rate, the top seeds aren't coming back from late-winter vacation, the tournament organizers are crossing their fingers that the big names will show up to earn their keep.

Women's Singles



1st Quarter: Sveta might be on a mission to prove all her haters back home in Russia wrong. With friends like these, who needs enemies? But will she turn to the dark side and let anger drive her? Or will she decide to let go and just play freely?



In other to get to the semis, she might have to deal with Whoopie, Nails and Mono. Hopefully Whoopie has learned that she needs to deal with spin-mistresses like Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, but it looks like she's facing the baseline bashing game for a clear path to the semis.

Sleepers: Dulko
Semifinalist: Whoopie

2nd Quarter: Vee, ReeRee's big sister, will carry the banner for Williams' fans.



Vee is facing relatively dangerous players in potential opponents such as Daniela, Nads, Flavs, Lisicki and Aggie. But she's a Williams, and knows how to win. The most interesting part of this draw (sadly) is this may be the last tourney that NaturAna's gets a bye until she gets her ranking back up (hopefully). Will she crash and burn early? Or can she stop thinking about her drought and just enjoy competing again?

Sleepers: Date-Krumm

Semifinalist: Vee

3rd Quarter: Vika will be looking to defend her title. She won't have to beat ReeRee who withdrew with a knee injury. Note to media: yeah the Williams make a great story and they're popular, but look at how great champions have been able to take care of themselves over the long haul so that they can play without injury.



Vika has a tough draw with potential contenders: JJ, JZ, Sam and Champagne Kimmie. If things follow form, look for those who did well at IW to fade, and those who didn't to be well-rested enough to move forward. Probably a tossup between Champagne Kimmie and Vika.

Sleepers: MJMS, Peer

Semifinalist: Vika/Champagne Kimmie


4th Quarter: Sunshine is now #2 in the world, which shows how far consistency (pushing) can get you on the women's tour. Given her sunny disposition, why hasn't she picked up surfing? What's a sweet cutie pie like her doing by taking up boxing?



Sunshine won't be able to learn to a play Plan B of attacking tennis this week but her counterpunching ways should be enough to get her to the quarters. But this quarter has the wildcard nobody wants: Allez Bitch. Allez Bitch will have to get past Craybas, Lena in the 2nd round (again!), Domi and then Kleybs. As long as she keeps keep the ball in play (and the humid conditions should help), her versatility should enchant Sunshine.

Sleepers: Allez Bitch (if that is the right term for it).

Semifinalist: Allez Bitch

Men's Singles



1st Quarter: Look for Fed to be on a mission. He will be eager to play matches after only getting to play two out in the left coast, and show everyone who is king. Then an angry Roger might revert to racquet smashing instead of hitting inside-out forehands into the corners. I like you Feddy even when you smash a racquet. You can afford it.



Fed is seeded to meet Cilic in the quarters but faces early a mostly non-descript array of counterpunchers such as Moya and Montanes. Things get interesting if he can overcome more offensive players like Berd or Nando.

Sleepers: Bags (maybe in for a letdown)

Semifinalist: Fed

2nd Quarter: Muzz is returning to his training ground(s) and looking to defend his title. Or perhaps he will be washed out to sea by a flock of brainless ball bashers?



The Muzz doesn't have an easy path to the semis as potential opponents include Feli, Gonzo, Pico, Misha, Stan the Man and Sod. One thing many of these folks possess in common is the ability to really hit the snot out of the ball. If they can keep the ball in, Muzz's chances aren't very good.

Sleepers: Nico

Semifinalist: Sod

3rd Quarter: Rafa might have been working too hard on his golf game out last week (he putted around with Fred Couples). Will he keep his forehand in court? I still want a Fedal match, but it looks like it won't be in the finals.



(Come on, Ana, you know you want him). Rafa looked great last week out in IW until he lost his head in a TB against Ljubs. Guys have figured out how to play Rafa but none of the uber-mondo hitters such as Sod are really in his quarter.

Others: Kohly, Tree, Ferrer, Dr. Ivo

Sleepers: Nalby

Semifinalist: Rafa


4th Quarter: Death, taxes and the Djoker horsing around are certainties. Has he recovered enough to win a Masters 1000? Or does he need more vacation time?



This quarter looks like a series of upsets waiting to happen. ARod's grinding might not cut it against IgorA. Ljubs might not have recovered from winning IW. Oh, and Nole might be tired of playing tennis. And LeMonf is still a head case. Got nothing to lose, might as well call for Head Samurai to make a breakthrough.

Sleepers: IgorA

Semifinalist: Head Samurai

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