Archives for April 2023

The Picks in Monte-Carlo Masters, BJK Cup: Saturday, April 15

Jannik Sinner
Mal Taam/MALTphoto

Taylor Fritz over Andrey Rublev
That was a tremendous match with the American, who beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in two, smart sets. Now Fritz will have to beat against Andrey Rublev, who also is playing very real, and leaping on the ball.
Fritz  has never won an ATP 1000s on the clay, and yes, he did that on the hardcourts at the 2022 Indian Wells, so in orderer to do it this weekend, he must play fantastic, most of the time. On the hardcourts, he can play phenomenal, but in the dirt, he has to be very patient, The same goes with the Russian,  who is extremely strong, but while Rublev has beaten so many excellent players, yet he has not won a gigantic at the Grand Slams, or the ATP 1000s, although he has been close, twice. Both of them want to do it this season, that is for sure.

“He is a great player and a good friend and I am excited for the match,” Fritz said. “He is tough.”

Yes, they both are. They can turn it on, going toe-to-toe with there hard forehand and there backhand. They can return pretty good, and they also can throw it around. This time, Fritz will beat on the lines, and he will take down Rublev in three, wild sets.

Jannik Sinner over Holger Rune
The Italian Sinner is becoming elegant, on the court, and before, he would get a small opportunity and try to slam a winner. At times, he did that, but he made many errors. The reason is because that when they are very young, most of them have years to go, to figure out what they have to do. Constantly, playing in the match,  Sinner will be thinking how he should stay aggressive, or just to be super steady.

Rune is finally better now, as before that, he was second-rate, at best. But the young competitor climbed  up this week, and his strokes became more fitting. He does like to do it  on the clay, and chuck it around. His backhand can be steady, and nail it into the corners. However, Rune still needs to re-adjust his attitude, so Sinner will win it in two, brilliant sets.

Billie Jean King Cup
USA over Austria
In Delray Beach, Coco Gauff easily won over Julia Grabher, while Jessica Pegula also took it over, but the match was a little bit close against Sinja Kraus. Pegula will start on Saturday and the world’s No. 3 will certainly play better and frustrate Grabher.

France over Great Britain
Right now in Coventry Building Society Arena in Great Britain, France has two very good players with  Caroline Garcia and the fine veteran with Alize Cornet. They are up 2-0, but  Katie Boulter played extremely well, nearly upsetting  Garcia  7-6 in the third. On Saturday, Garcia may or may not play to start, but either way,  Harrie Dart will try to shock him. She does have a chance, and if she does that, then  Boulter  has a fine chance to slug it down with Cornet. However, France will win the tie on Saturday.

Matt’s yesterday picks

Correct: Coco Gauff over Julia Gabher
Correct: Jessica Pegula over Sinja Kraus
Correct: Taylor Fritz over Stefanos Tsitsipas
Daniil Medvedev over Holger Rune

Matt’s current week picks

7 out of 11: 63.6% correct

The Picks at Fed Cup, Monte-Carlo: Friday April 14

United States vs. Austria  
Coco Gauff over Julia Grabher 
At the Fed Cup, the United States  has won 18 titles, which is so many many,  starting in 1963 when Billie Jean Moffit and Darlene Hard won the title. The last time they did it was in 2017, when Coco Vandeweghe was an amazing monster and won it in Belarus. Now it has a chance again, and they have a decent chance to go deep again. They have to hope, as no one knows if they are healthy, or the are hurt. It is not just the USA, but also in Switzerland, Russia, France, and an incredibly good, the Czech Republic.

There are a different lectures, which actually to write it into a book, because there are some amazing stories, but Friday through Sunday in Florida, the Americans are pretty set. 
Gauff is not playing fantastic this year, but the 19-year-old is very, very good, especially at the net. She is trying to improve her forehand, and her return. On the hardcourts, she can rip the ball, and she will attempt to knock out fast  with Grabher. The Austria has had a few good matches, but she has lost against a number of people. Because of that, Gauff won in two sets. 

Jessica Pegula over Sinja Kraus 
The No. 3 Pegula can be so steady, and she rarely becomes nervous against the lower players, unless someone is playing some unreal tennis. Kraus  is only 20-years-old, and a few weeks ago, she put together a tremendous win in Bogota, Columbia. Clearly, she is getting much choice all the time. However, Pegula really knows to jar it, and to alloy it up. Pegula  will grab it, but it will take three, surprising sets.

Monte-Carlo
Taylor Fritz over Stefanos Tsitsipas
(written before match started)
The No. 10 Fritz had a solid last match, and now he has to play much better, because Tsitsipas is now almost 100 percent, physically. The Greek has beaten him three times, in a wild match, when he won it 6-4 in the fifth set at the 2022 Australian Open. Now on Monte Carlo, it is on the clay, rather than the hardcourt. Fritz rarely chips it, but he can also hurl in some very hard shots in his forehand and his backhand. Plus he likes to rally in the crosscourt.  Tsitsipas can also do the same thing, when he hybrid it, down the line, and in the middle, waiting to fool him. Fritz has said that now, he has learned about understanding about the clay. He certainly has to prove it, and it is cold outside in Monte-Carlo,  so Fritz is going to have to ware  down Tsitsipas. This time, Fritz jumped on Tsitsipas’s one-hander and Fritz won it in three crazy sets.

Daniil Medvedev over Holger Rune  
The Russian played an incredible match, winning over Alexander Zverev in more than three hours. The German had two match points, but the Russian dug hard, and eventually, he shot him down. Medvedev  has had the best year in 2023, and he is so enthusiastic. 

Rune has not had a skilled year in 2023, but the young player really wants to show that he is a wonderful player. However, it is what you are thinking, but on the court, just re-act it, once in a while. If the rallies are going long, try to chuck it all around. When you have a chance, hop on the ball. Rune will make a astronomical effort, but once again, Medvedev knows that he has to shorten the points, because he must be tired. He will, and  Medvedev will win in two chewy sets.

Matt’s yesterday picks

Correct: Daniil Medvedev over Alexander Zverev
Correct: Matteo Berrettini will upset Holger Rune
Novak Djokovic over Lorenzo Musetti

Matt’s current week picks

4 out of 7: 57.1% correct

The Picks on clay in Monte-Carlo Masters: Thursday, April 13

Alexander Zverev
Mal Taam/MALTphoto

Daniil Medvedev over Alexander Zverev
The Russian has had a tremendous year, on the hard courts, but now he has to stay very aggressive on the clay. Most of the time, Medvedev can rally, side to side, and wait until he has a chance to nail on the lines. However, on clay, it is clear that you have to be patient for a long, long time.

The German Zverev is gradually back, on the court, as the No. 2  became hurt, he had to stay for a while. Just like with Medvedev, Zverev almost won the 2020 U.S. Open, but he could not do it. Zverev can be very steady, and also, he can crush the ball with his forehand and his backhand. Mentally, he is fragile, so if he wants to go back into the top five, he has to measure up.  Zverev will continue to play better, gradually, yet Medvedev is right there, who wants to be No. 1 this season. Medvedev will defeat Zverev in three, brutal sets.

Novak Djokovic over Lorenzo Musetti
The Italian appears to be  playing a decent match, given that this year, he has been mediocre, at best. The 19-year-old did throw in some terrific contests in 2022, but then he went down, fast. Against the No. 1 Djokovic, Musetti has to play almost perfectly to upset him. The Serbian can do almost everything, but his forehand can miss it during the rallies. His backhand is super steady, and his return is phenomenal. It will be a huge opportunity, to upset Djokovic, but Musetti is still not ready to reaching into the top 10, yet. Djokovic will win in two, hard sets.

TWO OTHER QUICK PICKS
Matteo Berrettini will upset Holger Rune in three sets, as they are both struggling, but the Italian wants to rise, ASAP. … Hubert Hurkacz has had a pretty good year, but on the clay, he cannot handle it, yet. Therefore, Jannik Sinner will win it,in two sets over Hurkacz as he has played amazing at Indian Wells and Miami. Mr. Rising.

Matt’s yesterday picks

Correct: Holger Rune over Dominic Thiem
Stan Wawrinka over Taylor Fritz

Matt’s current week picks

3 out of 6: 50% correct

The Picks on clay in  Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters: Wednesday, April 12

Stan Wawrinka
Mal Taam/MALTphoto

Stan Wawrinka over Taylor Fritz
The American returns to play on the dirt, and while he really likes the hard courts, he had improved a lot, but during the clay last year, he has been so-so. Now it is time to measure up. Fritz can hit with his fast forehand, and his bashing backhand. He can also be patient, but others time, he can be to distracting.

Clearly, the 38-years-old Wawrinka is aging, but the Swiss has played some amazing matches, on clay, when he won the 2015 Roland Garros, stunning  Roger Federer. His one-handed backhand is so heavy, with huge spin, and his forehand is also hard, and at times, when it is flat. However, he is little bit slower, and he has lost a number of matches. But with that, now in the spring, he will make a huge effort to show the fans that he can actually turn it on. Yes, Fritz is the better players on the hard courts, but on the clay, it is still Wawrinka, who will win in three, jarring sets.

Holger Rune over Dominic Thiem
This is super interesting that Thiem played his best match this year, easily beating Richard Gasquet. The Austria grew up leaning how to play on the clay, and gradually, he improved his heavy forehand and his backhand. However, he was hurt, and he lost control. Yes, he is darn smart, on the court, but the former 2020 U.S. Open champion started to push the ball, rather than making the attempt to hit it close to the lines.

The 19-year-old Rune has not playing well, hardly at all. He has won some decent matches, but he has not reach into the final in 2023, losing early at Indian Wells and Miami. The good thing is that last year in the fall, he was on fire,  when he won Paris, stunning Novak Djokovic. This week, he has decided that even if he loses,  at least he can make some different strokes, and to be much more focus. Rune is trying to be confident again, which means that while he knows that Thiem can grind it, all over the place,  he can out hit him. The No. 9 Rune will win it in two brutal sets.

Matt’s yesterday picks

Correct: Novak Djokovic over Ivan Gakhov
Correct: Stefanos Tsitsipas over Benjamin Bonzi

Matt’s current week picks

2 out of 4: 50% correct

The Picks on clay in Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters: Tuesday, April 11

Stefanos Tsitsipas

Novak Djokovic over Ivan Gakhov
The current No. 1 is finally back, after missing  at Indian Wells and Miami. He is healthy, physically, but he could not because he refuses  to be vaccinated, against the COVID-19. That might be controversial, and it really is, but now on the court, he is ready to win another title. His terrific first serve, his amazing backhand, and his fiery return makes him the favorite.  “I’ve done more training on clay, which is positive if you think about the clay season,” said Djokovic. “I’ve not had much success in Monte Carlo in the past two seasons. I haven’t played great tennis here, so I’m hoping this year I can start the clay season better than previous years and build my form.”

Perhaps he does, and while he absolutely likes playing on the hardcourts and the grass, Djokovic has been pretty darn good on the slippery  clay.

The Russian Gakhov is almost out of know where, as he is ranked No. 198, which  is way back. He is 26-year-old, and he has gone to many challengers. The one, fine positive was  he recently won Girona, Spain. He must have been thrilled. However, how is going to out-hit against Djokovic, who was won 21 21 Grand Slams? That is impossible. The Serbian Djokovic will win in two, easy. sets.

Stefanos Tsitsipas over Benjamin Bonzi
The Greek has been injured, as the No. 3 lost three tournaments very early at Rotterdam, Indian Wells and Miami. Even last year, the aggressive man rarely lost early when he was ready to grab a tournaments, but in February and March, he collapsed. But Tsitsipas does want to start rolling again, just like he did at the 2023 Australian Open, when he reached into the final and he almost won. OK, then, let’s see if he can turn the tide.

The Frenchman Bonzi did go endless at the ATP 250s, when he went into the final at Pune, India, and also in Marseille, France. That was more than decent, and he was thinking that he would shift to move up, but he doesn’t seem to play excellent, month after month. Maybe Bonzi isn’t sure what he has to do, should he thump the ball, early, or just sit near the baseline.

If he wants to upset Tsitsipas, he is going to have to really drive  himself, constantly. Even if he goes, Bonzi will hit some fine shots, but Tsitsipas is sturdy on the court, and he will win in straight, simple, two sets.

Matt’s yesterday picks

Andy Murray over Alex de Minaur

Richard Gasquet over Dominic Thiem

Matt’s current week picks

0 out of 2: 0% correct


The Picks on clay in Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters: Monday, April 10

Dominic Thiem
Mal Taam/MALTphoto

Andy Murray over Alex de Minaur
At one point will Murray rise much further again? This year, his first serve, his forehand and his return has improve a good amount, and his backhand has always been nearly perfect. Yes, after he almost retired due to his wrecked ankles, he came back, and while he is not as fast as he once did, but currently, he is more controlling.  For Murray to win another Grand Slam is debatle,  but he still wants to grab another ATP 1000.

He will keep trying again, as  de Minaur wants to win a huge event. He is currently ranked No. 24, which is pretty good, as he has beaten a number of the good players. However, will the Aussie continue to add some terrific shots, and also, to push himself when he has to knock down the tough opponents. He did win Acapulco on the hardcourts, which was tremendous, but then he lost in the first round at Indian Wells and Miami. It looks like he is straining. Murray reached the final in Doha, and he was stringing along, but then he fell down at IW and Miami.  Really, it is toss-up, for both of then, and while Murray doesn’t love on the clay, he will grind de Minaur in three exhausting sets.

Richard Gasquet over Dominic Thiem
The veteran Frenchman won Auckland, New Zealand, in the first week in January. He is 36-year-old, and he wants to play all the time. He does think that when he is on with his heavy, one-hander backhand, he can win more matches. He does that, here and there, but when he goes against the terrific players, then he will lose, much of the time. Gasquet still really likes with the famous clay, and he has won some tough tournaments, but the same thing with Thiem, who won the 2020 U.S. Open. He is still struggling, partially because with his injury, and while he has won just one match this year, he is trying to bring back his phenomenal spin. He started to climb up, on the clay, winning a variety of people, with his super strong legs, and his tremendous variety. However, he is still lost, mentally and physically, so while Gasquet can be his to short, he still will be able to crack Thiem in three sets.

The Picks on clay in Houston: Sunday, April 9

Frances Tiafoe
Mal Taam/MALTphoto

Frances Tiafoe over Gijs Brouwer

There has been so much rain in Houston that there   were three days when no one was able to play, or court. But finally, on Friday, it was time to play, and if the players won, they had to play once again, that day. It can be physically very tough. Yesterday, Tiafoe played sufficiently,  winning two matches, and somewhat solid. At the start of the tournament, it looked like that he was struggling, and he needed to forget about the loses and move on. Here, it should be that when he is playing well, he is the top-seed, so he should win it all. But he still is not comfortable with the clay, but just like Rafa Nadal does, who is addicted to the dirt, and he also added with the grass, and the hardcourts. He knew it, but it took him for a while.

Believes it or not, Brouwer was born in Houston, Texas, even though he lives in the Netherlands. He did have some terrific wins last year, but he has yet to reach the top 100, so he has to fly into the sky. Yes Tiafoe will stop him, and crash him. The American will win it in two fun sets. 

Tomas Martin Etcheverry over Yannick Hanfmann

It can be really odd to see that the two players have reached into the semis, as they have  gone deep, hardly at all. But eventually, during a week, they can see exactly what they do and to push themselves. The Argentine is only 23-years-old,  and at Indian Wells, he almost upset Andy Murray. That was a real grinder, and at least Etcheverry had some long, tough rallies, especially with there solid backhand. At Santiago, on clay, he reached the final, upsetting Sebastian Baez . Etcheverry  likes a lot of the clay, grinding for  along time, and he would try with his forehand quite deep. He has a long way to go, but at least over the past year, the 6-foot-5 man has added with some strong shots. 

The German Hanfmann has yet to be into the top 90, and he is ranked No. 134, of course he wants to play so much better. This year, he had a few very good matches, when he reached into the quarters in Santiago, which was pretty fine. However, Etcheverryand will win it in two tough sets.

Matt’s yesterday picks

Correct: Frances Tiafoe  over Gijs Brouwer
Correct: Tomas Martin Etcheverry over Yannick Hanfmann

Matt’s current week picks

14 out of 18: 77.7% correct

The Picks on clay in Charleston and Estoril: Saturday, April 8

Casper Ruud

Jessica Pegula over Belinda Bencic
A few years ago, she was outside of the top 60, and she was somewhat consistent, but she was not aggressive enough. Then she had decided that win or lose, this time, when she has a real chance to jump on the ball, she would go for the lines. But that can be risky. Pegula is going to have to do it, because the Swiss Bencic can be outstanding, and then, she will make some crazy shots. Bencic will bring into the third set, and she will really run, but Pegula will beat her with her consistent backhand.

Ons Jabeur over Daria Kasatkina
You can say that many of the players are struggling, physically, but in a sense, it always happens to almost everyone.  The Russian Kasatkina has had a few fantastic wins this year, but once again, she is strugging in 2023. However, when she is on, she can punch the ball. This is the same thing with Jabeur, who almost won a Grand Slam, but she lost in the final at the 2022 U.S. Open, and after that, she just stopped on the court with some wacko shots. Hopefully, the No. 5 Jabeur will wake up and smell the roses. It is time, and the Tunisia Jabeur will cut down Kasatkina in two long sets.

Casper Ruud over Quentin Halys
This is not a good year by the Norway, who is ranked No. 5, but he has won a few matches. Of course when he is locked  in, he can dive near on the ground, and throw in some wonderful strokes. Last year, he was so authentic, but currently, he might be panicking. Ruud will eventually calm down, if he really wants to. The Frenchman  Halys has yet to reach into the top 60, and there is no doubt that he is desired to finally go into the top 50. He is 26-years-old, which is a perfect time to make a huge move. He might be able to do it, as he played very well in Miami.  Halys is enthusiastic, but Ruud will knock him down in three sets.

Miomir Kecmanovic over Marco Cecchinato
Kecmanovic can lose, but last year, he really  improved a lot of the past year and a half. He is fit, his forehand is pretty darn good, and his backhand is decent, but in order to eventually reach into the top 20, then he has mix it up more. Also, his second serve is marginal. He has not played well this year, and he has lost a lot, but the No. 40 wants to turn it around. Four years ago, the veteran Cecchinato reached No. 16, looking very good, but currently, he was just two matches this year. Apparently, he was hurt, but the Italian Cecchinato is mentally straining, so  Kecmanovic will win in two sets.

The Picks on clay in Charleston and Marrakech: Friday, April 7

Belina Bencic
Ron Cioffi/TR

Jessica Pegula over Paula Badosa
Every week, the American is trying to plan whether should she be more aggressive, or stay back until she can nail a difficult winner. She is almost very consistent, and on court,  she can really think, until she can figure her opponents. This time, though, Pegula does know who Badosa is, and her specific style. Both of them love to do the rallies, and where down the opponents until she becomes  exhausted. The Spaniard Badosa needs to decide that if she wants to go into the top 10, then she has to improver her serves, and at the net, too. However, in the past year, Pegula became a terrific doubles player. Pegula will win in two tough sets.

Belinda Bencic over Ekaterina Alexandrova
Without a doubt, this is a toss- up. The Swiss is so into when she is feeling good, and the Russian can feel that if her forehand is locked in, then she can beat anyone. Bencic  is still trying to win another huge event, which she did a 2015, when she won in Toronto. Just like last year, she won Charleston, and she is close to be in the top 3, but the great players can out hit her. Alexandrova beat Bencic  at Indian Wells, in a close match, but she was more stable, and she really mixed it up, too. The match should go into the third sets, with some huge rallies, and and this time, Bencic will bash the Russian, tired or not.

Lorenzo Musetti over Alexandre Muller
The young Italian had a fine year in 2022, but this year, he has done absolutely nothing in the past three months. Of course they want to rise up again, and at Naples, he won the tournament, beating Matteo Berrettini in the final during the fall. And then, Musetti upset Casper Ruud and Taylor Fritz, so when he started in 2023, it appeared that the current No. 21 would go further. But he did not, perhaps because he started to be confused. He is going to have to turn it around, as the Frenchman, Muller, had a couple very good week, reaching the quarters in Doha, before he lost against Andy Murray. Muller has yet to be in the top 100, and he certainly wants to, but he is not there, yet. Musetti will win in it in two sets, finally.

Andrea Vavassori over Daniel Evans
The Brit is another person who has lost so many matches this year, even though in 2022, he put together some fine wins. But in 2023, he has won three matches and nine losses. Maybe Evans is physically tired, as like a number of people, he plays constantly, week to week. He is very consistent, and the 32-year-old can throw in a number of terrific shots. However, when he is out of sorts, his backhand and his forehand can be short. Vavassori did have a wonderful win when he upset Taylor Fritz at the 2023 Australian. The fans where screaming for him. The Australian from Sydney appears to becoming better, gradually, and the tall person will knock out Evans in three sets.

Matt’s yesterday picks

Correct: Ons Jabeur over Caroline Dolehide
Correct: Ekaterina Alexandrova over Julia Grabher
Ben Shelton over Dominic Thiem
Hubert Hurkacz over Bernabe Zapata Miralles

Matt’s current week picks

6 out of 10: 60% correct


The Picks on clay in Estoril, Charleston: Thursday, April 6

Dominic Thiem
Mal Taam/MALTphoto

Ben Shelton over Dominic Thiem
The 20-year-old American is still learning all the time, and at the 2023 Australian Open, he was so excited, winning four matches before he lost in the quarterfinals. He is very fast, and after he hits a fine winner, he would celebrate, very loud. He is coming up, but after that, he went to four tournaments, winning one match and four losses. He must be upset.

However, in Europe, Shelton can start with his quality, but right now, he has to face the former U.S. 2020 champion Thiem. It to the Austria for years to became excellent, on court, with some heavy strokes. His forehand and his backhand are bottomless. He played so consistently, grinding, and running around for eternally. Unfortunately, he became hurt,  significantly, and he could not play for a while, but after he came back, it looked like that soon enough, he would come back at least into the top 10. Right now, though, he is really struggling, and he has lost with so many players. He is ranked No. 111, which is way back there,  as this year, he has won just two wins and eight losses. Someday, the former No. 3 Thiem will rise again — he hopes — but Shelton will thud him in three sole sets.  

Hubert Hurkacz over Bernabe Zapata Miralles
The Spaniard has been pretty decent, reaching the semis in Buenos Airs and Rio de Janeiro, on the clay, but on the hardcourts, Miralles loses pretty early. However, in the dirt, he can drive with some long points, and he does like to blend it up. He is currently No. 43, and he has never reached into the top 40, so very soon, he thinks that if he can shove himself, he can go further.

However, Hurkacz plays a lot, and he will travel all the time. There at times when he is totally locked in, but when he is mentally tired, he will try to make the winner, to early. But throw this aside, the No. 12 can whip his hard forehand and his backhand. He is very tall, but with that, he is not that fast. Regardless, Hurkacz will win in three sizable sets.

Ons Jabeur over Caroline Dolehide
Back at the 2022 U.S. Open, Jabeur made it into the final, and she was so close of winning a Grand Slam for the first time. She couldn’t, though, as the No.1 Iga Swiatek pushed her way back. Jabeur has so many shots, with her spin, her depth and her intelligence. However, after she started to lose, early, and since then in September, she has yet to bring into a final. Maybe the No. 5 is a little bit hurt, or maybe she is thinking that she should have played better in the U.S Open.

Either way, she is a ground runner,  so the American, Dolehide, is a fine doubles player, but in the singles, she has not won enough matches. She is trying to get into the top 100 with the singles, as the American is a fine doubles competitor, reaching the semis of the U.S. Open with Storm Hunter. That is great, but it is more important to play the singles, so Dolehide has to add some fine, new shots. She will know that if she wants to get into the top 50, someday, then she will have to leap much higher.  Jabeur will win in two interesting sets.

Ekaterina Alexandrova over Julia Grabher
The Russian is once again trying to move into the top 10, and to show with the fans that her style is super interesting. The current No. 17 Alexandrova did win Seoul, Korea, in the fall, knocking down Jelena Ostapenko  in the final. She also beat the former two time champ, Vika Azarenka, and she nearly upset  Swiatek in the Czech. That shows that when she is barred in, then she can put it away in the corners.  She did reach into the quarters at Indian Wells, and again, it was a very close match, but Petra Kvitova out-hit her in three, wild sets. The Austria Grabher did win some small events last year, and of course, she wants to get much better, but she has to refine  a lot against the prime players. Alexandrova will win in two easy sets.

Matt’s current week picks

Correct: Shelby Rogers over Caty McNally
Paula Badosa over Leylah Fernandez

4 out of 6: 66.7% correct