Madrid 2010 Preview ... Opening the Magic Box

The men's and women's tour moves its center court to La Caja Magica (i.e. the Magic Box).

Tournament Site: here for the poster child of vertigo inducement

Draws: men and ladies

Men

1st Quarter: Fed played a "boutique" tourney in Estoril, making it all the way to the semis against sub top ten competition. As the defending champ, he showed a way to beat Rafa on clay last year: attack by getting to the net, mix in the drop shot, and try to hit through those heavy and high bouncers. Not an easy task at all. Other seeds in his draw include fellow countrymen Wawa, Arod and Headbanger. Gulbis is also in this section. Can he make a deep run like he did in Rome? Look for Fed to try to avenge his loss to Gulbis.

Sleepers: Gulbis




2nd Quarter: Muzz has a chance to turn around his slump on his least favorite surface. Unfortunately he's got folks who have been playing great on clay: Daveed (finals in Rome) and Head Samurai (finals in Houston and semis in Belgrade). Cilic has disappeared since playing well in Oz. I wouldn't be surprised if Head Samurai took out Muzz in the quarters.

Sleepers: IgorA, Bags



3rd Quarter: General Sod took out Rafa last year at the French Open and has shown that victory was not just a flash in the pan. He made the semis of IW and Miami and has had good clay court season making the finals of Barcelona. On the opposite side is Nando who has had a stellar season showing a "regularity" that his fans have long hoped for. Other sharks in the water are Big Berd, Bellucci, Nico, Pico and Nalby. This quarter could be filled with surprises. Given Nando's form of late, he might be the best bet.

Sleepers: Nalby, Pico, Nico





4th Quarter: The second seed is Djoker (withdrawal due to allergies) Rafa, who more than deserves this seed as he has been en fuego throughout the clay court season. The only set he's dropped has been to Gulbis in Rome. His won-loss record in games on glass is 154-35. Wouldn't it restore order to the universe if Fedal who haven't played in a year finally played this year? After getting a total beatdown this year, Daveed commented that Rafa is playing better than his peak in 2008. It's hard to see how Jo Willy, Le Monf, or Tree can really challenge him. Any sane sports fan should expect Rafa to come through in dominating form.

Sleepers: Kohli



Semis: Rafa d. Nando, Fed d. Head Samurai

Finals: Rafa d. Fed

Women

1st Quarter: ReeRee looked decent in Rome for not playing competitively for a couple months. Still you can count on her taking this less seriously than Roland Garros. She gets a bye for making the semis of Rome last week. Two Russian belles are also in her draw. Masha is back from an elbow injury but has never done great on clay. LenaD had the misfortune of running into NaturAna catching fire in Rome. Yeah, I thought LenaD would come through in Rome. Don't disappoint me again, gal.

Sleepers: Safarova, Dani




2nd Quarter: Dinara is the defending champ but no one expects much of her as she has looked quite rusty in the events she has played since coming back from a back injury. So look for others to take advantage of the vaccuum: Lady JaJa has been playing great on clay taking out both Williams sisters in Rome. She and NaturAna both have byes (because they both made the semis last week) for a second round grudge match. We all know which doll that Sneki is pushing pins into. Flavs had a terrible tournament in Rome but can never be counted out on the red stuff. Mono had a great run in Miami but hasn't had a great clay season (losing 2 and 1 to Sam and retiring due to dizziness in Charleston). Allez Bitch's clay court resume has her as the favorite for Roland Garros. Since this event is played at higher altitude where the balls will fly a bit more, she should have no problem advancing to the semis so long as she keeps her nouveau style of ball bashing under control. Oh, did I mention that JaJa has an 0-10 record against Allez Bitch?

Sleepers: JZ, Sorana



3rd Quarter: I have no idea what's going on in this quarter as it's sure to be full of surprises. The unseeded MJMS gets the hometown advantage and a bye for making the semis last week. Vee could face Bepa or Mel in the 2nd round, and is seeded to face Tranny. Sam should get past Dulkbag to face MJMS. I would hope that MJMS's "idiosyncratic" style (lefty S&V with some slice & dice) doesn't throw off Sam but this is Sam we're talking about. I'm crossing my fingers to see MaKiri face off with her mirror image, Agi. I'm picking Sam out of hope.

Sleepers: MaKiri, MJMS, Bepa



4th Quarter: Caro leads this draw but is seeded for a 4th round matchup with Nails whom she doesn't have a great record against. Sveta has an underwhelming 7-7 record for this year, and needs to get her shit together if she wants to have any hope of defending her RG crown. Unfortunately she's facing Peer in her opening match who has had a solid clay court season. Vika has been struggling with an injury but should make a decent run. Still the brainless ball basher probably won't meet her BFF as another bad pusher will take her out. Like the 3rd quarter, I really have no idea how to call this one. Nails, show the world that yellow-skin is no barrier to dirt balling!

Sleepers: Domi, Peer



Semis: Allez Bitch d. LenaD, Sam d. Nails

Final: Allez Bitch d. Sam