Archives for 2023

The Picks at Roland Garros: 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

Preview: WTA at the 2023 Roland Garros

May 26, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Navratilova: Swiatek “may not quite be at that stage yet, but she still should be super confident.”

Last year in the final at Roland Garros, Iga Swiatek won the title, winning seven matches and only one set. In the last three matches, she won so easy, and in the final, she smoked Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-3. That was the second time she won another Slam.

As the 18 Grand Slam Martina Navratilova said, she thinks that if she is 100 percent, fiscally, she can win it, again. Once forever, the Pole won Madrid.

“I definitely want to see [Swiatek] in full flight. I want to see her supplanted only if people play better than her, not because she was injured. Last year, Iga almost forgot how to lose. She may not quite be at that stage yet, but she still should be super confident.”

Absolutely. However, Swiatek has had a pretty good year, but not fantastic. Her forehand and her backhand is gigantic, and her return is aggressive. At the net, she is still learning how to react, and also, at times, she is not patient enough, all the time. But it changes each year, so when she walk into Paris, then she will remember that in 2022, she knew exactly how to play. She did win Stuttgart last month, so she is right there.

If you look at the field, there are only two who won Roland Garros, with Barbora Krejcikova and Jelena Ostapenko. Two of the other players, with Simona Halep and Garbine Muguruza, both won it, but Halep has been suspended, and Muguruza decided not to play for a couple months. She is sick of playing tennis.

There are a number of players who can win the event, all 10 of them, such as obviously, Swiatek, Krejcikova , Ostapenko, and maybe Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina , Jessica Pegula, Gauff, Veronika Kudermetova, Paula Badosa and the French women, Caroline Garcia, who played fantastic last year, but in the French Open, she has yet into the semis.

Navratilova was a dominant players, in the hardcourts, on the grass, and on the clay, too.

She does think that while they are playing, they have to be super patient, and not to be spacey.

“Sabalenka [who won in Madrid] and Rybakina [who won in Rome], they would be the favorites to win. No doubt about it, the way they’ve played on the clay,” Navratilova said. “All those players should be pretty confident coming in, with Swiatek having the most if her body is 100 percent. We could have a surprising winner, but chances are it will be one of the three.”

Two of the Americans, Pegula and Gauff, looked highly good at times, and yes, in the doubles, they are way up there. However, they have had some fine matches, but also, they can unfulfilled. Both of them have improved at the net, and retuning, too, but however, in the singles, they have to change if up, even more. Gauff has thrown some solid wins, but in 2023, she has lost some solitary matches. She still has to remedy her forehand, and also, her second serve. But both of them are severe when they are striking the ball.

In the second week, the excellent doubles player, as well as the singles, Krejcikovi, won it two years ago, so she will be charge up. The huge hitter, Ostapenko, can hit some massive, crazy shots, and she can also miss a ton of errors, but she is locked in, and she can snap it into the corners. The Russian Kudermetova can be very stable, and the Spaniard, Badosa, can be super patient. Or how about the French woman, Caroline Garcia, who had a terrific last year, but she has yet to reach the semis at Roland Garros, ever. She has said that it can be so much pressure in Paris. It could be, and next week, they will all find out if they are playing great, mediocre, or playing poorly. That will be a fascinating to watch, with another, interesting, year.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story

Preview: ATP at 2023 Roland Garros

May 24, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

It is possible that Daniil Medvedev will win Roland Garros for the first time, but he has to play for two weeks, in a three out of five, and while he rarely gets tired, on the famous clay, there have been some stunning upsets. But not with Rafa Nadal, who has won it 11 times, but unfortunately, he won’t be able to play because he is still injured.

So he will not go, and then you can throw 10 players who can grab it. You can look at Medvedev, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Holger Rune, Casper Ruud, Andrey Rublev, Jannik Sinner, Taylor Fritz and Felix Auger-Aliassime. You can also throw in even more, but you have to think that they are very good, each day in Paris, or they can fall down in the second week.

In the 1990s, the American men were very valid, eventually, winning at Roland Garros with Jim Courier and Andre Agassi. It did take them a decent about of time to get hooked on the clay.
They became patient, and when they had a real chance to crush there hard forehand, and also, there steady backhand. It was spot on.

Currently, over the past two months on clay, once again, the U.S. guys have not been deep enough. Fritz has played terrific on the hardcourts, but in the past three years, he lost very early at Roland Garros. Perhaps he went too early, and he didn’t want to rallies for hours. Sure, he can dish quick and he can alloy it up, and return, too, but on the clay, he still isn’t sure what to do during the match.

The same thing goes with the No. 12 Frances Tiafoe, who put together a couple very good matches on the hardcourts, but on the clay, he is fumbling again. Last year, he was on fire at the 2022 U.S. Open and Tokyo, and he hit some phenomenal shots, but now he has been missing a lot. He is 25-years-old, so maybe he can re-adjust in the strokes, and to return, better. Also, both he and Fritz are cover good at the net, but they really have to put it away, and also, chuck in some excellent drop shots.

The rest of the U.S. men have had a good last 12 months, moving up, with Tommy Paul, Sebastian Korda, Brandon Nakashima, Jenson Brooksby, Maxime Cressy, J.J. Wolf and Ben
Shelton. But into the quarters at Roland Garros, that would be surprising, but one person will turn on the lights.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Right, Lead Story Tagged With: atp, Carlos Alcaraz, daniil medvedev, french open, Matthew Cronin, Novak Djokovic, roland garros, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Taylor Fritz

The Picks in Rome: Sunday, May 21

May 21, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Daniil Medvedev over Holger Rune
“I play some of my best tennis when I play the top guys of the world.”

At point will the Russian Medvedev finally rise into the top of the mountain, once again. He has been darn close, and during his life, he can be confused, off and on the court, but when he begins to understand, then he can raise his game. He can hustle, he can slap his forehand, and he can mix it up with his sizable backhand. Over the past five years, he changed a few things, and also, he has a good tactics, and also, he practices a lot, so he can put together any shot. For sure, his return is decent, but not phenomenal, and at the net, he can bend down, look to see where the ball is going, with a quick decision. Just like many of the young, the top players, they can re-act quickly. The 27-year-old certainly has done that, when he just beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-5, 7-5 in the semis, a really important win.

So here is Rune, rising so briskly. When he is running around, he can move quickly, he can flat it out, and drive so hard. He can control his shots, and also, he can flat it out and crush it.

He is ready to win his second tournament at the ATP 1000, especially that in Monte Carlo last month, he out-hit Daniil Medvedev.

“I play some of my best tennis when I play the top guys of the world. I mean, it’s a good time to play your best tennis because you need it against those players I’ve managed to do it many times now,” Rune said. “I think it’s obviously some of the toughest challenges to face guys in top five because they’re obviously some of the best guys in the world. But I play well when I play them.”

He has had a good year, but not fantastic, grabbing some very good wins, and other ones were so-so. He certainly will be ready to wreck the ball when it starts in the rainy Rome, but Medvedev will be more controlling, and he will win the tournament in three, super interesting set.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: atp, daniil medvedev, Holger Rune, Matt Cronin, Matthew Cronin, rome

The Picks in Rome: Friday, May 20

May 20, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Holger Rune over Casper Ruud
The two ‘R’s’ have battled with each other, attempting to finally becoming No. 1. That they have not done it yet, and frankly, if they continue to play great, maybe this year they can pass all of them. However, they have to prove it, especially Ruud, who hasn’t won a lot of matches in 2023, losing pretty early. Yes, over the past 10 days, he became more fit, and he decided to smash his forehand and his backhand. His serve is still mediocre, and at the net, sometimes, he will go back. The good thing about Ruud is that he will change his tactics, and fool against the high players.

Obviously, though, the 20-year-old Rune continues to play better and better, all the time. He can really smash the ball, down the middle, and side to side. His backhand is very decent, and his forehand is hard and steady. In Monte Carlo, he reached the finals, stunning Daniil Medvedev before he lost against Andrey Rublev. Win or lose, you could tell that he was right there, putting together a bunch of winners. Given that Rune just beat Novak Djokovic in Rome, now he will do it to win it on Saturday in two, unreal, sets.

Stefanos Tsitsipas over Daniil Medvedev
The Russian has been churning, at the start of the year, and he has won so many excellent matches. Yes there are times when he is playing on the court, and while he is so faithful, he can back off. His forehand and his backhand are muscular, and when he returns, he can nail it very deep. While he can look very good, he can also be pissed off, when he misses some easy shots.
On Saturday, he has to face versus Tsitsipas, another person who can plays off-the-wall. Or he hopes, it.

“I am definitely don’t put myself as a favorite,” said Medvedev, who leads Tsitsipas 7-4. “But I have been playing extremely well here, feeling extremely well. So if I manage to play this well in the semi-finals, I’m sure I’m going to give a hard time to my opponent. That’s what I want to do. Hopefully I can go even further and try to win two more matches.” The Greek Tsitsipas is more powerful, and he can chuck it all with his shots. He does like to spin, and flattens it out. He is pretty fast when he runs, but there are times when he doesn’t try enough to go for it in the lines. But he does think that he can knock down Medvedev. “He’s been playing well and I’m playing [well] also,” Tsitsipas. “I really hope to bring the best out of me against him. I feel like he’s playing better than the years before.”

He might be right. While Medvedev in charging to become No. 1, but here and there, he can lost. He does here when Tsitsipas wins it in three, sizable, sets.

Elena Rybakina over Anhelina Kalinina
Two days ago, it was pretty incredible that she was flying high. Many people do that, each day, but to do it consistently, you have to lock in, and changing if you can. Kalinina has had an amazing tournament, knocking down everyone with some deep, cool shots.However, though, Rybakina can hit the ball and be patient. Yes, she can really go for it, only she has a real shot when she can bash a winner. She is conscious, she can really think, and also, she can take a breath after she missed with an easy winner. Rybakina is darn close to become No. 1 this year, and because of that, she will win it in three, surprising, sets. She will win another big tournament, one of her best players on court.

Matt’s yesterday picks

Correct: Elena Rybakina over Jelena Ostapenko
~~Veronika Kudermetova over Anhelina Kalinina~~

Matt’s picks from Rome

9 out of 14, 56.5% correct

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Right, Lead Story Tagged With: Anhelina Kalinina, Casper Ruud, daniil medvedev, Elena Rybakina, Holger Rune, rome, Stefanos Tsitsipas

The Picks in Rome: Friday, May 19

May 19, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Elena Rybakina over Jelena Ostapenko
Many people thought that Iga Swiatek was possibly going to win it, but in the second set, she became injured so in the third set, she retired. Yes, when she is totally on, she has been the best player on clay, winning Roland Garros, twice. However, outside of that, Rybakina has beaten three times, as the former Wimbledon champion would hit some incredible winners, especially with her hard forehand and her backhand.

The thing about the Russian is that she has won many matches, but essentially on the hardcourts and on the grass. She is so powerful. In March, she won Indian Wells, beating, believe it or not, the No. 1 Swiatek, in the semis and also, taking down the No. 2 , Aryna Sabalenka. When she is playing great, she can beat anyone. But over the past month, she has been so-so. This is much the same way with Ostapenko, who when she is totally on, she can crush the ball so deep and into the corners. Yes, she can knock down anyone, but over the years, she has lost some odd matches. She did beat Rybakina twice, on the hardcourts and the grass, but at the 2023 Aussie Open, she when down and she knocked her back.

This is the first time this year that Ostapenko has reached into the semis. Listen, when she is locked in, she will look phenomenal, but when she is frustrated, then she puts together dozens or error. Yes, the Latvia can start early, grab the first set, then she will look tremendous, but currently, she is hard to read, which is why Rybakina will win it in three, savage, sets.

Veronika Kudermetova over Anhelina Kalinina
This is certainly almost a new thing, with Kalinina, who already is a veteran. She has won a couple good wins in 2023, but not that much. Maybe she has become more aggressive and also, when the Ukrainian changed her tactics. Or something else, but yes, she is playing thoughtful.

Once again, the Russian Kudermetova can be hard with herself when she isn’t finding the solution. However, though, there are days when she is more patient, and re-think about where she should go. She certainly can bash the ball, and when she is returning, she can mash it, down the line. She did reach the semis in Madrid, and here, in Rome, she has done it again, sitting on the porch, waiting to start and sprint, on the court. Kudermetova will win it in two, simple, sets.

Matt’s yesterday picks

Correct: Daniil Medvedev over Yannick Hanfmann
~~Borna Coric over Stefanos Tsitsipas~~

Matt’s picks from Rome

8 out of 14, 57.1% correct

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: Anhelina Kalinina, Elena Rybakina, jelena ostapenko, Matthew Cronin, rome, Veronika Kudermetova, wta

The Picks in Rome: Thursday, May 18

May 17, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Daniil Medvedev over Yannick Hanfmann
The Russian has been a very solid year, especially on the hardcourts. Before, at times, Medvedev would be erratic, and frustration, but currently, he finally changed a few things in the court, on clay. So now, he was very pleased. “Yeah, play definitely some more spin. Especially the sliding, I think the sliding was always a problem,” he said Medvedev. “After Madrid, after I lost, a couple days I practiced there I tried really a lot to focus on the sliding, on the movement. I felt like I improve in these couple of days.” He has, in Rome, when he can attack, but also, he has to really go for it when he has a chance.

Hanfmann has yet to go very deep at all, and believe it or not, the 31-year-old is ranked No. 101. His highest rank is No. 92, period. That is pretty low, but maybe he finally became mainly better. He did win a bunch of matches, in Houston, and Madrid, so he must be totally into it. Even so, Medvedev usually feels serene, and he can throw it into the corners. He will win it in two, interesting, sets.

Borna Coric over Stefanos Tsitsipas
The Croation has not had a great year, yet, but he has beaten Tsitsipas three different times, on the hardcourts. He won it at Cincinnati, in the 2022 final, and he played so sharp. He is pretty smart, on court, and he really likes the rallies, especially with his strong backhand. It is very hard to understand how well he can play, day after day, as in certain weeks, he loses pretty early.
Tsitsipas is a little more often, but again, he can check out, with his strokes. He is fast, and he can swing darn hard, but he can also return too short. On court, they know how they play, as in 2022, Coric beat him 7-6 in the third in Vienna, Australia, but at the beginning of the year, in the United Cup Australia, Tsitsipas won it 7-5 in the third on the hard courts.

But today, it will be in the wet clay, so both of them have to change it up, a lot, and wait for a long time until they can try to split the ball. Coric has had a mediocre year, losing a lot, but at least two weeks ago, he reached the semis in Madrid, so his confidence is coming back, again. The Croatian will grind it for over two hours, and in the third set, Coric will win it 7-6.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Right, Lead Story Tagged With: Borna Coric, daniil medvedev, Matthew Cronin, rome, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Yannick Hanfmann

The Picks in Rome: Tuesday, May 16

May 15, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Alexander Zverev over J.J. Wolf
It is pretty clear that the German Zverev can be erratic, and he can also lift up high when he is reacting. He does know that when he is feeling stellar, then he can not to just mix it, but he is pointed. However, he has not played great this season, but he is gradually playing better, due to his injure.

The former Grand Slam champion Boris Becker says that Zverev has to go back to the basics. That is exact what Becker used to do when he was on court.

“That’s in the past, and 12 months later, the stark reality is brutal. That’s the sport. He is fit again but can’t manage to match the form he had a year ago. There are many reasons for that,” he told Eurosport Germany’s Das Gelbe vom Ball. “What is important, and he is always extremely self-critical, is that he realizes this, that he is honest with himself and doesn’t blame bad luck, bad fortune, wind or too hot a sun – but the fact that he doesn’t play enough. I am sure he will address this in his team and then also train better again. In my opinion, Zverev is not playing tennis properly at the moment.”

Now that is a very controversial, but at least he decided to be honest, even though when he was playing on tour, at times, Becker could dismiss his comments. Zverev must have read it, but beyond that he has to out-hit Wolf, who can play vast when he is on. The American is pretty intense, and he can also be jolly consistent. On clay, though, it will be a huge challenge to out-hit Zverev. Wolf will make the attempt, but Zverev will bash his forehand and win it in a three, super long, set.

Lorenzo Musetti over Frances Tiafoe
The Italian has always been pretty good on the clay, and over the past two months, he has knocked down some very good competitors. The young Musetti can be hitting it hard, pretty deep, with his forehand and his backhand. When he is feeling good, he can smash the ball. However, he still has a good amount to prove that he will add more on his game.

As he said, when he asked about the multi champion Roger Federer, he watched him a lot. “”I like everything about him, but if I have to highlight one aspect I would say it’s his style. It’s something unique, the combination of fun and elegance, like the ability to play relaxed and calm.” Musetti said. “I try to be like him, I have less control and sometimes I’m more nervous on the court, so I think I can do better if I compare myself to Federer. But I think there are details where we have similarities, for example in movements, which is something I’ve always tried to do since I was a child.”

The same goes with Tiafoe, who always listens to watch many players. On the hardcourts, he has been dominating at times, but recently, he set back, a little bit. On the clay, he has to rally for a long time, until he will has a good chance to rip it on the ball. He may do it, but here in Rome, the fans will be cheering so hard to watch Musetti win the match. He will do it, in three, exhausting, sets.

Paula Badosa over Karolina Muchova
Over the past five weeks, the Spaniard finally started to play much better. She still has a substantial improvement on the court, moving around, and really understand where she has to go.

Badosa revealed some changes that she is planning on implementing. “I see that the players are starting to get to know me, so we have decided to change some things in my game and make tactical adjustments. It is not easy, in the middle of a game, to change the position of return or hit a parallel in a difficult situation, but I’m on that path so I have to continue on that path,” Badosa said.

Muchova can be very consistent, and she also likes to wreck her backhand. Her forehand is pretty good, but it can also be short, and her first serve can also be huge, but her second serve can be slow. These two have put together some terrific wins, but on the clay in the slow Rome, Badosa will take it in three, bizarre, sets.

Veronika Kudermetova over Qinwen Zheng
Last year, in September in Tokyo, Zheng beat Kudermetova 5-7, 6-3, 7-6(3). It was a super close match, when the young player put together some incredible rallies. She is very quick, she is also pretty steady, but she still has to hit the ball harder. Plus, the 20-year-old really likes on the hardcourts, but on the clay, she is still figuring it out.

Kudermetova appears to be better week after week. She played a fine tournament in Madrid, reaching the semis, beating a couple very good players. However, in the final, Iga Swiatek smoked her. Kudermetova is a big hitter, but her forehand can be out of control, but when the Russian is locked in, then she can smack it into the corners. She still needs to be more consistent, and they both do, but on Tuesday, Kudermetova will win it in three, hardcore, sets.

Jannik Sinner over Francisco Cerundolo
Even on clay, the Italian is much more consistent, he swings hard with his forehand and his backhand, and also, he is better at the net. He is young, and he does get upset, but when he is really thinking about what he is going, then even after he made a lot of errors, Sinner can re-set it. He can be intense, and so is Cerundolo, and he does hit some huge shots, into the corner. This year, he has won a couple, tough, excellent matches, beating Felix Auger-Aliassime and Casper Ruud. However, he also lost pretty early.

The No. 8 Sinner has put together some fine matches on the hardcourts and while he still has to figure out on the clay, he is gradually improving. Sinner will win it in three, grinding, sets.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: Alexander Zverev, atp, boris becker, Lorenzo Musetti, Matt Cronin, Matthew Cronin, Paula Badosa, rome, wta

The Picks in Rome: Saturday, May 13

May 13, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Victoria Azarenka over Madison Keys
They have played each other for a long time, as they are not so fast, running, but the reason why is because they have gone deep at the big tournaments. They totally crush the ball, with there forehand and there backhand. They can be very consistent, at times, and they also can whack it when they are returning.

Azarenka has won two Grand Slams at the Aussie Open, and Keys reached into the 2017 US Open, also. Clearly, they both think that if they are healthy, then they can try to go deep again, but they will have to prove it, now. On clay, Azarenka can slip when she is trying to nail her forehand, but she can always try to stand up and nail it with a winner. Keys can also crush her backhand, but she still becomes injured, a lot, so because of the, Azarenka will win it in three, sizable, sets

Alexander Zverev over David Goffin
The German has played so many marathons, when he is being so patient, and also, when he can change it up. Zverev has gone very deep a lot, on the hardcourts, especially, and also, he has been more than respectable on the clay. Yes, he is not played very well as he has, because he ruined his leg, so to come back can be very difficult.

However, he will continue to battle, and so does Goffin, who will continue to play until he has to finally stop. The former No. 7 is a master at times, with his top-spin, as well as he can flat it out, and drive it. He is pretty good in the slow clay courts in Rome, so he does like to rallies, and he also can smash it, close to the lines. However, Goffin is sliding down, and because of that, Zverev will win it in two brutal sets.

Coco Gauff over Marie Bouzkova
Each day, it is hard to understand how well the American is going. She can look terrific, and it appears that she is improving each week, but then she falls backwards. It is a conundrum. Gauff has a marvellous forehand, and she is also very sufficient at the net. She also is pretty decent with her return. The Czech Bouzkova can be decent, when she is locked in, but that is rare. Yes, last year she won Prague in July, and it appeared that she would go far. But after that, the current No. 38 didn’t go deep at all, so while she wants to move up the latter, that doesn’t mean that she can go further in Rome. Gauff will win in three, super long, sets.

Matt’s yesterday picks

Correct: Novak Djokovic over Tomas Martin Etcheverry
Stan Wawrinka over Grigor Dimitrov
Sebastian Korda over Roman Safiullin

Matt’s picks from Rome

4 out of 10, 40% correct

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Right, Lead Story Tagged With: atp, Marie Bouzkova, Matt Cronin, Matthew Cronin, rome, wta

The Picks in Rome: Friday, May 12

May 12, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Stan Wawrinka over Grigor Dimitrov
Is the Swiss ready to fly, again? Wawrinka has not had a great year, but the brilliant backhand can begin to roll, even though he is 38-year-old. He can push himself, deep in the corners and put it away.

The Bulgarian Dimitrov can also throw so many interesting rallies, and the one-hander can really mix it up, as well he can flat in out. His serve is OK, and at the net, he is pretty good, but not spectacular. Dimitrov has had some wonderful matches, at the Slams, but he will likely not come back into the top 5 again. I might be wrong, but in order to do it, then he has to beat the former Roland Garros champion, Wawrinka. He won’t on the clay right now, as the Swiss will win it in three massive sets.

Novak Djokovic over Tomas Martin Etcheverry
Two years ago, the Serbian won Rome, beating Casper Ruud and Stefanos Tsitsipas. He was playing great, when he was so steady, and he was almost perfect with his phenomenal backhand. He thinks a lot, on court, and he could miss once in a while, but he can recover.

Etcheverry is pretty young, and clearly, he is trying to improve his serves, at the net, and with more power. He did reach in the final in Houston and in Chile, this year, when he had some terrific matches. However, he has yet to beat the top 10 players, so the though that to stun Djokovic is a little bit crazy. The 21 Grand Slam winner Djokovic will win in two easy sets.

Sebastian Korda over Roman Safiullin
So many young people think that he or she believe that they are so good, on the court, and very soon, they will rise into the the top 20. Or the top 10. Or the famous No. 1. But the older they get, they realize that the other players are also very, very good, so that they will lose, which is difficult.

Korda knows all about when he started, and he would practice all the time. He knew that once he reached into the ATP Tour, he was ready to beat many players. He has done that, slowly. Unfortunately, Korda grew hurt after the 2023 Australian Open and he had to stop for a three months. He is in the top 30, and the 22-year-old can play extremely consistent, and he can also hit the ball on the lines. He grew up in Florida, so he does know what the hardcourts is, but in the clay, he still has to learn where to go. As we said about Safiullin two days ago, the Russian has had a decent year, and he did upset Marcos Giron in Rome. He must have bee thrilled when he made it to the second round, but Korda will pound him, and he will win it in three very long sets.

Matt’s yesterday picks

Correct: Marie Bouzkova over Caty McNally
Correct: Caroline Garcia over Ana Bogdan
Aryna Sabalenka over Sofia Kenin
Jessica Pegula over Taylor Townsend

Matt’s picks from Rome

3 out of 7, 42.8% correct

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: atp, Grigor Dimitrov, Matthew Cronin, Novak Djokovic, Roma, rome, Sebastian Korda, Stan Wawrinka