Elina Svitolina – TennisReporters.net

US Open picks: Saturday, Sept. 2

September 2, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Jessica Pegula over Elina Svitolina
Talk about dozens of rallies, and which which way to go, as both of them know each other very well. They can be steady, and changed it up. Svitolina can try to hit it hard, early, and Pegula will be patient. They are both veterans, and they have beaten a number of the other top five players, as they can know which way to do. However, neither has won a Grand Slam yet, so at the U.S. Open, they really think that if they play well, they can actually grab it the second week.

Svitolina has had a very good season, when she added some interesting shot, but so has Pegula, who has really pushed herself, and she can accept that. As she said: “I just worked really hard at it. I think I became a lot more confident in who I was around 24 years old. If I mess up it’s on me, but this is my decision.”

The American will win the match in the third set, with some huge forehand, 4-6, 7-5, 6-4.

Jannik Sinner over Stan Wawrinka
The older Swiss has had some fantastic shots at the U.S. Open, with his huge spin. Wawrinka has won it three Grand Slams, so clearly, he has been thoughtful, on court. He might be aging, and he will likely retired next year, but right now,he wants to go deep one more time at the Slams.

He must be, but the Italian Sinner is more forceful, and powerful, when he is playing. He does get angry, when he is missing way out, but at least during the summer, he is more consistent. Sinner has to know that they will play at least for two hours, or more, but either way, he is faster, when he is running, and also, with his his forehand. Sinner will take it 3-6, 6-5, 6-3, 6-2.

Alexander Zverev over Grigor Dimitrov
The German reached the final at the 2021 US Open, and he almost won it, but Dominic Thiem threw in some cool, tremendous shots. But now he will have another chance to win it for the first time, but Zverev is still slightly recovering, as at the 2022 Roland Garros in the semis, he fell down and almost crushed his body. He could not play until January, and while he has looked better and better, but he is still is not 100 percent. He does have a lot of shots, but he can also back up.

Dimitrov seems to be playing very well, knocking out Andy Murray. He does have a cool one-handed backhand, and he also can chuck it in around. However, he is not in the top 20, and years ago, he could go very deep, but now, he might be fading. There, Zverev will win it 64, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6.

Madison Keys over Liudmila Samsonova
It is early enough for the American not to become hurt, on the court, so she can control what she has to do. Keys is a big hitter, off both sides, and when she has a chance, she can try to rake it. However, Samsonova can also rally, and she can go for the winner. She had a terrific week in Montreal, reaching into the final, knocking off a bunch of fine players. However, she is unpredictable, whether when she can find it in the corners, or she can miss it, a lot.

Keys can do the same thing, currently, but she has gone deep at the Grand Slams, so on Saturday, she will win it in three, tough, sets, 7-6, 3-6, 6-4.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: Alexander Zverev, Elina Svitolina, Grigor Dimitrov, Jannik Sinner, Jessica Pegula, Liudmila Samsonova, madison keys, Matthew Cronin, Stan Wawrinka, us open

Andy Murray wins in Washington

August 3, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Andy Murray won in the second round in Washington.

The three-time Grand Slam champion beat Brandon Nakashima. He is hoping to be seated at the US Open, in the top 32, but he does have an opportunity in the next three weeks. He almost retired, due to his massive injuries four years ago, but now, since he came back, it took him a long time to recover, as he lost a lot of matches. But he kept trying, moving faster, and with some new shots. He also really liked to do in the rallies, backhand to backhand, crosscourt, or down the line. His forehand is very good, all over the place, when it is flat, or when he can spin it, a little bit. But when he was losing a lot, maybe he was down in the dumps. A lot of players, men and women, have to stop playing for months. Perhaps they were very sad.

“I was in that place, and most of the athletes that I would speak to that are thinking about having this operation are in a pretty bad place, like physically and probably have been in a lot of pain for quite a long time. I spoke to Bob Bryan [the former player] quite a lot about it, which was helpful, probably wish I had had the opportunity to speak to more athletes about it and what that process was like and what the operation, the rehab and I’m able to give a bit of positivity to those athletes in that situation now,” Murray said. “It is possible to get back to competing and doing the sport that you love after having this surgery.”

Everyone who gets hurt and he or she will return, such as Kei Nishikori and Jennifer Brady, who has been out a long time, and again, the troubling surgeries. At times, they can look 100 percent, on court, but other players can become injured again, and then they have to re-set there bodies. It is very difficult.

“I think it definitely takes time like for the body to get used to playing like multiple matches again at the highest level. There will definitely be some aches and pains,” Murray said. “That can sometimes be quite hard to deal with mentally, because you forget what it is like to play like the highest level of sport isn’t easy. You don’t play a match and wake up next day and feel perfect, but when you’ve been out a long time with an injury, understanding what that pain means, like if you wake up the day after playing a match and your back is sore, is that pain because of an injury? Like do I need to back off here? Should I be playing today? Or is it just part of playing and your body getting used to playing, the matches again and competing. Like playing in front of the big crowds again when you have been away from it for a long time, that is different. There is a different pressure and a different intensity to that.”

Murray will have to face Taylor Fritz on Thursday night. The American looks pretty clean, and finally, he looked pretty solid, recently winning Atlanta. Before that, he was not played great this year. However, on the hardcourt, he is more thoughtful. “I did a lot of big emphasis on like the cardio and fitness and just normal training and was able to play last week. Last week was extremely hot, as well, in Atlanta. I think that I’m in just a much better place, for sure,” Fritz said.

In Canada, in Montreal at the ATP 1000, Fritz crushed Murray 6-1, 6-3. But that was a while ago, so at night in Washington, they will some very long rallies, and change it where he has to. Move forward.

MORE NOTES
Elina Svitolina is once again, on fire, as she crushed Daria Kasatkina in Washington. At Wimbledon, she reached into the semis at Wimbledon. That is pretty darn good.

“I have a lot of experience. You know, now coming back to the tour, starting from zero, I have experience still of playing many years on the high level, and I try just to analyze what I did well and take the best from that years and just build on that.”

Just coming back, Brady was gone for almost two years, another big injury, and on Wednesday, against Madison Keys, she lost very fast . Again, Brady will take it so long to play well again. … In Los Cabos, Tommy Paul took a tough match, but he won over Felipe Alves. Now he will go up against Alex de Minaur. That is a draw. Pick em.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Right, Lead Story Tagged With: Andy Murray, Elina Svitolina, Matthew Cronin, Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, Washington

The picks at Wimbledon: Thursday, July 13

July 12, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Elina Svitolina over Marketa Vondrousova
There are certain people forget that Svitolina had some strange losses when she started to play the WTA. She was very good, and she won a lot of matches, but at the Grand Slams, eventually, she would freak out, and she would disappear. Her forehand and her backhand was usually deep and hard. She was fast, but her serve and also at the net, was marginal. She did not win the Slam or even reach the final. She was so good, but that was pretty odd.

But now, when Svitolina came back after she had a child in April. Now she had a new perspective. Win or lose, she will rethink, and mix it up even more.

As Svitolina said, “It’s different right now… I think it’s less years that I have in front than behind me. I have to go for it. I don’t have time to lose anymore. I don’t know how many years I will be playing more.”

At Wimbledon, the Ukrainian reached the semis in 2019, when she looked good, but a very fit Simona Halep took her down. Then two months later, she reached the semis again at the US Open, and she was cracking the ball, but the great Serena Williams out-hit her. Now she has another chance to right the ship.

“I try to tell myself that I have to be decisive. Today, as I walked to Center Court, I saw so much history along the way. You understand that you are training for this,” Svitolina said. “I said that you need to go out and act decisively, you need to give all your strength. It really helped me and also calmed me down a bit.”

Over the past 10 days, Vondrousova has lookd very calm, too. However, she had to really push herself, and drive the ball, crosscourt and down the lines. She is brisk, and she can also attach with her harsh return. Certainly she has not had a great year, but week to week, she can explore when she has a chance.

As the lefty said: “I never thought I could play so good here because I didn’t do well on grass before. For me, it’s just amazing feeling. I don’t know, I’m trying so hard in every match.”

Four years ago, she reached the final at Roland Garros, and she was so darn good, but the now retired Ash Barty took her down.

“I never thought I could play so good here because I didn’t do well on grass before,” Vondrousova said. “For me, it’s just amazing feeling. I don’t know, I’m trying so hard in every match. Every match is incredibly difficult here.”

Yes it is, especially because Vondrousova beat her twice, but Svitoina grabbed it three times. However, this is the first time that they have played each other on the grass. Vondrousova will not be nervous for a few minutes, but whatever the reason this time, Svitoina will out her in three dramatic sets.

Ons Jabeur over Aryna Sabalenka
Two years ago at Wimbledon, Sabalenka beat Jabeur 6-4, 6-3 in the quarterfinals. They have played each other four times, and they have split it, with the Belarussian recently beat ingher in the WTA Finals, 7-5 in the third.

Yes, Sabalenka has blown up over the past year, but when the Tunisian is mentally sound, she can really change it up with her rare strokes. She has yet to win a Slam, but last year here Jabeur almost won it in the final as Elena Rybakina was more consistent, at the end. However, she has a chance at the tough match in the semis.

“I don’t regret last year,” she said. “I believe last year I wasn’t ready to play this kind of match. It happened for a reason. I have learned a lot from the final. Definitely very proud of myself for the improvement that I did mentally, physically, and with the tennis racket.”

If you look at Sabalenka, when she serves, right after it stays in, she will look where it is, and if it is deep enough, then she can start where she wants to go. She is competent, and she hits it extremely merciless. She is not very good at the net, and she can rarely spins it with her backhand, but with her forehand, she can wreck it, and try for a winner. She won the 2023 Australian Open, and that was the best two weeks ever. But that has left now, so this time, she is going to have to throw her thought, on court.

Even if she does, Jabeur will hit her fantastic backhand, and she will win it in three competitive sets.

Matt’s yesterday picks at Wimbledon

Correct: Aryna Sabalenka over Madison Keys
Correct: Daniil Medvedev over Christopher Eubanks
Correct: Carlos Alcaraz over Holger Rune
~~Elena Rybakina over One Jabeur~~

Matt’s picks from Wimbledon

14 out of 19. 73.6% correct

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: Aryna Sabalenka, Elina Svitolina, Marketa Vondrousova, Matt Cronin, Matthew Cronin, One Jabeur, wimbledon

The picks at Wimbledon: Tuesday, July 11

July 10, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Iga Swiatek over Elina Svitolina
Surprising, they have only played each other once, two years ago in Rome, and Swiatek beat the Ukrainian 6-2, 7-5 in the quarterfinals. Swiatek has changed a lot when she improved a tremendous amount, with her massive strokes. She is very quick and she can bash the ball with her forehand and her backhand. The No. 1 has a fabulous first serve, and she can be creative. Finally, she is now convinced that she can motor on the grass.

Svitolina barely won when she upset Vika Azarenka. Before that, she lost five times, but she kept going hitting her hefty forehand and her backhand. But this will be even harder, as the Pole person is locked in. The four-time major champion hasn’t won Wimbledon yet, but she can do it this year.

“Every day my love is getting bigger,” Swiatek said. “Hopefully, I’m going to have as many days as possible to stay here and play on this court, because for sure, this is my best year on grass. I feel really kind of motivated, because I know that even when you’re not feeling 100 percent, (the) hard work is paying off. So I’m happy I did that work and I can stay here.”

The former No. 3 Svitolina will dig in, but Swiatek will it in three wild sets

Novak Djokovic over Andrey Rublev
The rising Russian has put together some excellent shotmaking. Rublev can strike it down the lines, and he can also pound it when he thinks that he can mash it crosscourt. However, at the Australian Open on the hard courts, Djokovic bullied him 6-1 6-2 6-4. That was really quick, as the Serb elevated his game early and outhit him, with his brutal serve and his forehand. He only made a few errors.

In order to shock Djokovic on the grass, Rublev is going to have to totally redefine his approach. He is also going to take big risks all the time. When he returns, he has to thump the ball. Djokovic has won Wimbledon many times before, and this year, he has looked very good, but he has lost a few, odd matches. Regardless, Djokovic will win it in four unreal sets.

Jessica Pegula over Marketa Vondrousova
The Czech has had a decent year, and she has been pretty consistent, but she has not reached into the finals this year. If you look at Vondrousova, she did manage to reach the final at the 2019 Roland Garros, but on the grass, she struggled. Apparently though, over the past nine days, she looked smarter. Her backhand is very stable.

Pegula has struggled at the Slams, but at least she is trying to push herself and not be so nervous. Fortunately, she has reached into the second week at Wimbledon for the first time. Clearly, her forehand and her backhand are harmonious. The reason why is she also plays a lot of the doubles, sprinting so close to the net. She can put it away, solidly.

At the Grand Slams, the No. 4 has yet to reach the semis, but this time she has a real opportunity to do it. Pegula will punch Vondrousova to win it in three competitive sets.

Jannik Sinner over Roman Safiullin
They have only played with each other once and the Italian took it 7-6(6), 6-3 on hard courts. Yes, Sinner is a huge hitter, and he can nail it, but he can also throw in some strange errors. He also can be very competitive and he can swing away with some phenomenal shots. Sinner has won six titles, but he has not won an ATP 1000,or even one of the Slams. Yes, he is 21-years-old, but as he once said, “I have my own path and my own way to go.” Then go a little harder or faster.

Safiullin has had a terrific tournament, but the Russian had never won an ATP event. At least he is feeling very good now. Perhaps he decided to change it up. He will have to try hard, but Sinner has a better forehand and when he returns well, too. The Italian will win it in three quick sets.

Matt’s yesterday picks at Wimbledon

Madison Keys over Mirra Andreeva
Carlos Alcaraz over Matteo Berrettini
~~Stefanos Tsitsipas over Christopher Eubanks~~
~~Petra Kvitova over Ons Jabeur~~

Matt’s picks from Wimbledon

9 out of 13. 69.2% correct

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: Andrey Rublev, Elina Svitolina, Iga Swiatek, Jannik Sinner, Jessica Pegula, Marketa Vondrousova, Novak Djokovic, Roman Safiullin, wimbledon

The picks at Wimbledon: Sunday, July 9

July 8, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Andrey Rublev over Alexander Bublik

The Russian continues to try at the Grand Slams, not only that he can crush the ball, but also, over the past two years, he has been more intelligent. Yes, Rublev can play some bad mistakes, but he can nail with his heavy forehand, and with his backhand, to put it down the lines.

Believer it or not, they just played against each other in the final, at Halle, when Rublev edged the other Russian, Bublik, 6-3 in the third set. Yes, the tall man can knock his first serve and his forehand, but he isn’t quite fast when he is running. For sure, he has had a very decent year, but not enough, so Rublev will win it again, in four tough sets.

Iga Swiatek over Belinda Bencic
This should be an intense match. Both of them can split the ball, and they can also jump early to try to put it away, fast. Swiatek recently said that on the grass, she is feeling much more comfortable than she did recently. Swiatek is very please after she won Roland Garros, recently, but that is on the clay, not on the switch grass. But now she can go low and find where she will go, low and hard.
As she said,“ I feel like last year was a little bit different, especially coming back after winning Roland Garros. It wasn’t the easiest moment for me. I try really not to come back to that. I’m just taking experience from just this period of time of playing on grass, and that’s all. It’s just a totally different chapter.”

Bencic can beat anyone when she is feeling good. Her serve isn’t that great, but her forehand and her backhand can be jolly sharp. The Swiss does believe that she can finally win a Grand Slam, and maybe she can, but how can she out-last versus the Polish person? She does have a chance, but Swiatek returns better, as does her serve, so once again, the No. 1 will win it in three brute sets.

Novak Djokovic over Hubert Hurkacz

It is pretty clear that Serbian better than him, beating Hurkacz all five times. In 2019 at Wimbledon, Djokovic lick him in the third round, in four decent sets. He is just faster, and his backhand might be his best ever. Djokovic can mix it up a lot, and he can stay there until he has a real shot to put it away.

Hurkacz has had a decent year, but not great, losing pretty early. Djokovic will win it in four easy sets.

Elina Svitolina over Victoria Azarenka

This is risky, as Azarenka has beaten Svitolina all five times. Certainly, when the two time champion Azarenka is totally bolted, and she can hit some cruel shots, down the lines, and cross court, too. However, Azarenka has retired a lot over the past few years, which is why she has not won a big tournament since 20? Yes, Azarenka destroyed Svitolina at the 2023 at the Australian Open, but she was just returning. There is no doubt that when Azarenka is totally shut it in, she can find the lines. However, Svitolina looked very good on the clay, at Strasbourg and Paris. She absolutely has to be very consistent, and drove her back. As the Ukraine said: “I will go out there and put the fighting spirit on and just really fight for every single point.” She will, when Svitolina will defeat Azarenka in three tough sets.

Matt’s recent picks at Wimbledon

~~Andy Murray over Stefanos Tsitsipas~~

Matt’s picks from Wimbledon

3 out of 5, 60% correct

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: Alexander Bublik, Andrey Rublev, Belinda Bencic, Elina Svitolina, Hubert Hurkacz, Iga Swiatek, Matt Cronin, Matthew Cronin, Novak Djokovic, victoria azarenka, wimbledon

The picks at Roland Garros, Tuesday, June 6

June 5, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova over Karolina Muchova
This was really surprising, that the Russian was mediocre this year, and all of a sudden, she started to be super aggressive. Her forehand is powerful, although she can miss it a lot, but her heavy backhand can be deep, close to the baseline. The reason why she has yet to win a Grand Slam because she isn’t very fast, when she is running, but at least she understands what she has to do. Two years ago at the French Open final, she looked great, but in the final, Barbora Krejčíková edged her in three very interesting sets, sending Muchova is a conundrum. She can look jacked up, and then she will disappear when it is close. In the doubles, she is fantastic, but in the singles, the Czech can suffer. At least at Roland Garros, she became super steady. However, Pavlyuchenkova will move around on the clay, and frustrate her. Pavlyuchenkova will win it in three wild sets

Aryna Sabalenka over Elina Svitolina
On Sunday, Sabalenka walked on the court and while she was upset, off the court, but when she was ready to play, then she was pretty intent. She did when she beat Sloane Stephens in a tough contest. Now though, she has to play even better, as Svitolina is on fire, hitting with some gigantic backhands. The former No. 3 Svitolina can be totally locked in, and her forehand is colossal. However, Sabalenka can also split her forehand and her backhand, and she can go for it, early. Her serve has improved recently, as last year, she threw in so many double faults. Sabalenka has really has matured this year, and she is also very thoughtful.

They both have gone deep at the Slams, so they probably won’t be to nervous. Without a doubt, it will be a very close contest, but this time, Sabalenka will beat her, with some amazing winners, in three hefty sets.

Novak Djokovic over Karen Khachanov
The Serbian Djokovic is gaining ground each day. He has rarely loved on clay, but over the years, he added some new shots. His backhand might be the best of all time, but his forehand is very good, but not insane. However, he can hit it some flat shots, and he can also spin it. He knows when he faces Khachanov, he can make sure to start in the rallies.

The Russian is a huge hitter, and he is really tall, but there are times when at the net, he can miss it. Khachanov had a very decent year, and overall, he has reached into the four Grand Slams in the semis and the quarters. Clearly, he is very good. However, Djokovic has beaten him all six times, so he will do it again, winning in four interesting sets.

Carlos Alcaraz over Stefanos Tsitsipas
The young Spaniard has beaten Tsitsipas all four times, when he recently took him down in Barcelona. At the 2021 U.S. Open, he edged him 7-6 (5) in the third round. Then, it was clear that he was going to go close into the sky. As Tsitsipas said, “The clash we’ve all been waiting for. I think everyone was expecting it, weren’t they? It’s here. It’s game on. Carlos is someone that keeps the intensity high at all times. He’s someone that’s not going to give you gaps where his attention isn’t there. He’s very hyper. He’s very energetic and you can see that on the court.”

That was a true analysis. Tsitsipas has come close deep at the Slams, but he has not been able to do it. His one-handed backhand is stable, and his forehand can be solid. He is pretty decent at the net, and he can also return in the second serve. At Roland Garros, Alcaraz was totally controlled. Sure, he can miss a few shots, when he goes too early, but he just keeps moving forward. It is possible that the Greek Tsitsipas will finally beat Alcaraz, but to do that, he is going to change a few tactics. He will, but in the fifth set, Alcaraz once again will hit some incredible shots. He will win it 7-5 in the fifth set.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Aryna Sabalenka, Carlos Alcaraz, Elina Svitolina, french open, karen khachanov, Karolina Muchova, Novak Djokovic, paris, roland garros, roland-garros, Stefanos Tsitsipas

The picks at Roland Garros: Sunday, June 4

June 3, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Sloane Stephens over Aryna Sabalenka
This could be wrong, because Sabalenka is playing darn good, but yesterday, the Belarusian was upset because her country’s involvement in Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine. She decided not to go into the press conference. As she said: “I know they still expect some questions that are more about the politics and not so much about my tennis,” Sabalenka said. “For many months now, I have answered these questions at tournaments and been very clear in my feelings and my thoughts. These questions do not bother me after my matches. I know that I have to provide answers to the media on things not related to my tennis or my matches, but on Wednesday, I did not feel safe in the press conference.”

That is likely true, and because of that, she must be pretty sad. When she gets on court , Sabalenka might be thinking about the situation, so then she won’t be able to be very calm, with her massive forehand and her backhand.

Stephens has heard it, so now she will totally be in control. She has had a difficult year, but once and a while, she can not just be patient, in the back, but she waits until she can smash it, down the line or crosscourt. Stephens is now saying that she loves playing at Roland Garros. This week, she has looked very good, with very few errors. This time, Stephens will dust down Sabalenka in the third set, putting together some tremendous shots.

Carlos Alcaraz over Lorenzo Musetti
This should be a terrific match, as Musetti won Hamburg in 2022, beating Alcaraz in three wonderful sets. However, at the USOpen, Alcaraz won it all. The Italian finally became much more real.

“The match in Hamburg gave me a lot of confidence… Of course, it’s a completely different position, different status but I think we will enjoy our match.” “I see (him as) a friend. He started a (new) way, a new generation,” Musetti said. We are trying to push him and to get closer.” The Spaniard added, “It’s a big challenge for me. I remember the match in Hamburg. It was really, really tough. He’s a really talented player. I know him very well. We played tournaments when we were kids… It’s going to be a really fun match.”

There will be some extremely rallies, with there backhands, flat or spin. They don’t chop it much, but with the forehand, they can push it very close on the backcourts. They are still working to improve there returns, especially with there second serve.

Alcaraz is on fire again, and while Musetti thinks he has to be more steady, he won’t be able to change a few important tactic in the fifth set. Alcaraz will win it with a few insane shots.

Stefanos Tsitsipas over Sebastian Ofner
The Greek is quietly playing as he knows that in the second week, many of the fans will go to watch him. He has not had a fantastic year in 2023, as there were times when he would lose his head. But currently, he is more serene, just like he did at the Australian Open. In the final, he was there but then he went down. After that, he lost some odd matches, but in Paris, he decides that he was going to think hard, every second.

“I’ve produced some really good tennis when I’m at a psychological state of ‘nothing matters and I don’t care anymore’. And I just want to play it, I don’t care what the outcome will be,” he said. “I have broken back. I’ve suddenly found my rhythm back into the game. I guess there is lack of expectation, lack of thought… when you’re out there because you’re constantly analysis every decision.”

Ofner just played three hours and 50 minutes, and while he ran for hours, and he looked a little bit tired, but his backhand was so sober. However, the 27-year-old has yet to reach the top 100, ever. He will eventually, but he won’t be able to out-hit him. Once again, Tsitsipas will reach into the second week once again. He will win it in straight sets.

Elina Svitolina over Daria Kasatkina
The No. 9 has had a pretty decent year, as the Russian has improved with her forehand, as well as her first serve. She can be somewhat consistent, and on occasion she can chuck in some fun drop shots.

However, Kasatkina has played six times again Svitolina, and she lost every time. She is more oomph, as her forehand and her backhand are stronger. There are times when the former No. 3 would disappear, with some crazy shots, but the older you get, you can be much more proper. Without a doubt, Kasatkina will try to change something new, but even if she does, Svitolina will find her way again, and she will win it in two long sets.

Matt’s yesterday picks

Correct: Alexander Zverev over Frances Tiafoe
Correct: Coco Gauff over Mirra Andreeva
Correct: Anna-Karolina Schmiedlova over Kayla Day
~~Taylor Fritz over Francisco Cerundolo~~

Matt’s picks from Roland Garros

19 out of 28, 67.8% correct

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: Aryna Sabalenka, Carlos Alcaraz, Elina Svitolina, french open, Lorenzo Musetti, Matt Cronin, Matthew Cronin, paris, roland garros, roland-garros, sloane stephens, Stefanos Tsitsipas

The picks at Roland Garros: Monday, May 28

May 28, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Brandon Nakashima over Denis Shapovalov
The Canadian has looked decent this year, but he is certainly struggling a lot. Shapovalov has a lot of spin, and he can also attack early, but at times, he isn’t concentrating enough. The young American had a fine year in 2022, but over the past five months, he has been disappointed. He can be proper, and he does like to sit in near the baseline and swing it, at times, hard. However, his serve is mediocre , and his return is OK, but they aren’t harsh enough. Last week he did reach in the semis in Lyon, so perhaps his pride is rising.

Shapovalov is ranked No. 32 and last year he was a charmer, but this year he has done almost nothing. Maybe he is hurt, on the court, or perhaps he is thinking about whether he can add some new shots, or stable. Eventually, he will, but who knows when? This is a huge toss-up between the both of them, but at least Nakashima had a good week, so then he will win it in five brutish sets.

Felix Auger-Aliassime over Fabio Fognini
This should be a blast in Paris. The Italian Fognini has played so many clay courts matches, for many years, and he has won so fantastic matches. He has a lot of roll, and he can also chop it, here and there. He can return, and he can touch with the the drop, shots. But at the Slams, he has been OK, but he has yet to reach the semis. Maybe this week, he can coup so high.

But I doubt, that. The other Canadian Auger-Aliassime, had a tremendous year in 2022, beating a number of the very good players. He is a colossal
hitter, and he is fast when he is running. He can slap his forehand and his backhand, and he can crush it down the line. But this year he is another player who is really struggling. Even with that, though, Auger-Aliassime will start to twirl, and he will win the match, with some gigantic forehands.

Sloane Stephens over Karolina Pliskova
The American Stephens has had a tough year, but she plays constantly, and while she has lost some odd matches, there are times when she can lock it in. The former 2017 U.S Open champion was so steady, from the backcourt, and she could really mix it up with her solid backhand and her forehand.

She may never win another Grand Slam again, but if she wants to push herself one more time, then maybe she can do it.

The Czech Pliskova can look tremendous, beating anyone, with her massive first serve and her forehand. She came so close to winning the U.S. and Wimbledon, but in the third set she misses a few critical shots. However, when she is feeling good, she can put it together with so many winners. Stephens has beaten Pliskova four times, including at the 2021 French Open, and while she can check out, at time, she will do it again, in three, wild, sets. As she said: ‘I think now I’ve kind of picked up some momentum. The clay-court season is always nice. And being able to win matches and collect a lot of points is always good. So just been trying to keep the momentum going from here.”

Elina Svitolina over Marina Treisan
They have not played with each other before, but the Ukranian is on fire again, as she just won another event, 19 all together. Svitolina is such a competitor, and she can hit some phenomenal strokes. She just returned, as she had a child, so now it is different, when you run, but already, she is much more snug. The Italian Treisan said, “I’m living in a dream.” Well that is good, except a few days ago, she became injured. She can skid it side to side, but if you are not 100 percent, then against Svitolina, she won’t be able to bring her down. Svitolina will win it in two sets.

Matt’s yesterday picks

Correct: Sebastian Korda over Mackenzie McDonald
Correct: Camila Giorgi over Alize Cornet
Correct: Jessica Pegula over Danielle Collins
~~John Isner over Nuno Borges~~

Matt’s picks from Roland Garros

3 out of 4, 75% correct

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Right, Lead Story Tagged With: Brandon Nakashima, Elina Svitolina, Felix Auger-Aliassime, french open, Matthew Cronin, paris, roland garros, roland-garros, sloane stephens

The Finals Picks: Saturday, May 29

May 27, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

In Geneva: Grigor Dimitrov over Nicolas Jarry
The Bulgarian just said that in the next couple years, that the veteran wants to win a few more big events. Well Dimitrov can, as long as he can not only be consistent, but to crack the ball with his heavy forehand and his stylish backhand. He can lose control, and he will be upset, physically, and then he will lose, but he can recover.

In the final against Jarry, he will have to figure it out how. Last year he wasn’t doing much, but this week he upset Casper Ruud and Alexander Zverev . “I have been playing good tennis and working a lot,” Jarry said. “To be able to play like this against Casper [Ruud] and against Sascha, I am so happy with all the work.”

He must have worked all the time, and also, he added more types of new shots. On clay, Jarry is very comfortable on the dirt, but the Chilean still has to nail the ball, especially in the final. Because of that Grigor Dimitrov will win a very long match in Geneva.

In Lyon: Francisco Cerundolo over Arthur Fils
The Argentine has had a pretty good years, on the hardcourts and in the clay, with some interesting strokes. He can really mix it up, and he is also fast, when he is running. He does really like to use the crosscourt, and down the line, off both sides. His serves are so-so, and his return is good, but not great, as he has yet to go into the top 20. But close, now.

The 18-year-old Arthur Fils from France is now quickly rising, and he has beaten a number of a few good players. He can really hustle, and he can also be super patient. Yes, he can miss a number of error, but he still will continue to drive with some engaging strokes. Fils will got into the top 100 this year, or faster, but in the final, Cerundolo will grind it down in three, longish, sets.

In Strasbourg: Elina Svitolina over Anna Blinkova
The former No. 2 Elina Svitolina has recently returned after she had a child, and it is still time to reset all of her goals. She really likes to rally, and she can be intense, although the reason why she has yet to win the Grand Slam is because she gets pretty troubled, and then she would back off. But perhaps she is changing.

This week, Anna Blinkova said that she was thinking about what she should do, to either just stay back and hope the opponent will miss one, but now on clay, she decided to attack early. Apparently, she did, and it will be close, but Svitolina will win it, her 17th titles, which is very, very good.

In Rabat: Lucia Bronzetti over Julia Grabher
The Italian Lucia Bronzetti can be loyal, and she can also scramble. Last year she put together some fine wins, but she also tripped it, at the the matches. This week, it does look like that she wants to be more fitting, and to figure it out, win or lose. This week, she certainly has.

The Austria has had a medicore year, winning a few decent matches, but losing against to a variety with the players. Grabher can be solid, at times, but she doesn’t hit the ball with enough pace. However, this week she was very solid, and damn steady. She might do it, again, but Bronzetti will out hit her with her better forehand and she will win it in three, savage, sets.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Right, Lead Story Tagged With: Elina Svitolina, Francisco Cerundolo, french open, Grigor Dimitrov, Lucia Bronzetti, Lyon, Matthew Cronin, Rabat, roland garros, Strasbourg

TennisReporters.net 2021 year-end review: top 15-11, the women

December 23, 2021 by Matthew Cronin

15. Elina Svitolina
You can go back a few years ago, she is very strong and extra confident, but not at the Grand Slams. She finally reached the semis twice, and she was mentally better, improving on the earlier contest when she would freeze. Yes, she won a number of big matches outside of that, and she looked like a fine player, but on court, she can mentally check out. She can be very good, but in 2022, if she wants to crack into the top 3 again, she will have to re-think her game.

14. Elena Rybakina
The 22-year-old is impressive when she is thinking hard, moving quickly and, at times, being patient. She had a very decent year. While she was more thoughtful, she did lost to many of the top 15 players. That means that she had to continue what she is improving such as her serve, as well as her forehand. Like all the players, she has played thousands of matches since when she was very young. However, even though you can strike the ball, that does not mean you know where to hit it. Next year, if she really wants to upset the top-notch players, then she has to lift her game.

13. Naomi Osaka
This was an odd year by the four-time Grand Slam champion. When she is focused and totally deep, she can beat anyone. She is so mighty on both sides, her first serve and she frequently goes for the lines. But, she stopped playing in the fall because she was depressed, and currently, few people know when she will come back. I would think that she is currently using a psychologist, which can help address her life and how she can be happy again. She is such a great player. So when she returns, it will be fascinating to watch her on court, and see that she is really committed.

12. Sofia Kenin
At times, and the American was aggressive and she was on top of the ball. She could smack all of her shots, very flat at times. Back in 2020, the 23-year-old was trying to get to the No. 1 spot quickly. But this year, she did not play well, likely because of her injury. In fact, she stopped in July, after Wimbledon, and she is trying to recover and back at 100 percent. Almost two years ago, she won the Australian Open. Now her goal is to play within herself. If she does, though, the former No. 4 will be aiming for the lines.

11. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
The Russian has been here for a very long time, and this year, she finally rose. Before that, she was decent, but not unreal. She decided that if she is going to go up the charts, then she has to be more confident and smarter. She reached the 2021 Roland Garros final, beating Aryna Sabalenka and Vika Azarenka before losing against the very good young player Barbora Krejcikova. The 30-year-old Pavlyuchenkova is now nimble and very healthy. If she can bolster her serve and attack more, she can win a huge tournaments, which she has not done it yet.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Right, Lead Story Tagged With: Elena Rybakina, Elina Svitolina, naomi osaka, Sofia Kenin