Rafael Nadal (ESP) #1 vs. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) #22
Andy Murray (GBR) #4 vs. Roger Federer (SUI) #6
Formerly known as Fry That Chicken, this blog features what's happening in the world of sports. Twitter @BelievelandS Picture via bomble.com
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Monday, January 20, 2014
Australian Open Day 9 Picks
Tomas Berdych (CZE) #7 vs. David Ferrer (ESP) #3
Novak Djokovic (SRB) #2 vs. Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) #8
Novak Djokovic (SRB) #2 vs. Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) #8
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Juniors in the Pros Week #3
Australian Open: Main Draw Singles:
Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) WC: def. Igor Sisling (NED) 7-6, 0-6, 7-6, 6-2 Round of 128
lost to Rafael Nadal (ESP) #1 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 Round of 64
Main Draw Doubles:
Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) partnering Chris Guiccione (AUS) lost to Dodig (CRO)/Melo (BRA) #4 7-5, 7-6 Round of 64
Mixed Doubles:
Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) partnering Donna Vekic (CRO) lost to Goerges (GER)/Quereshi (PAK) 6-3, 6-4 Round of 32
Egypt F1 Futures: Main Draw Singles:
Theo Fornerie (FRA): def. Francesco Garzelli (ITA) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 Round of 32
lost to Yong-Bum Seo (KOR) 6-2 Ret. Round of 16
Main Draw Doubles:
Nikita Kardivar (USA) partnering Dmitry Surchenko (RUS): lost to Cacic (SRB)/Vucic (SRB) #1 6-2, 6-4 Round of 16
Theo Fornerie (FRA) partnering Stefan Fiacan (SUI): lost to Bague (ESP)/Teurer (POL) 6-1, 7-6 Round of 16
France F1 Futures: Main Draw Singles:
Maxime Janvier (FRA) Q: def. Constant Lestienne (FRA) #8 6-4, 6-2 Round of 32
def. Gilles de Sousa (FRA) 6-2, 7-6 Round of 16
lost to Florent Serra (FRA) #1 6-3, 6-4 Quarterfinals
Alexis Gautier (FRA) Q: lost to Juraj Masar (SVK) 3-6, 6-0, 1-0 Ret. Round of 32
Alexandre Muller (FRA) Q: lost to Blazej Koniusz (POL) 6-2, 6-1 Round of 32
Germany F2 Futures: Main Draw Singles:
Karen Khachonov (RUS): Lost to Dimitar Kutrovsky (BUL) 6-0, 6-3 Round of 32
Main Draw Doubles:
Karen Khachonov (RUS) partnering Denis Matsukevich (RUS) #4 def. Grozdanov (BUL)/Kutrovsky (BUL) 7-6, 5-7, 10-8 Round of 16
Khachonov/Matsukevich #4 def. Finzelberg (GER)/Hirschmueller (GER) 6-4, 6-3 Quarterfinals
Khachonov/Matsukevich #4 def. Fallert (GER)/Langer (GER) 6-2, 7-5 Semifinals
Kraweitz (GER)/Wagner (GER) def. Khachonov/Matsukevich #4 4-6, 6-3, 10-7 Finals
Great Britain F1 Futures: Main Draw Singles:
Joe Woolley (GBR) WC: lost to Ashley Hewitt (GBR) #7 6-1, 6-2 Round of 32
Joshua Sapwell (GBR) WC: lost to George Coupland (GBR) 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 Round of 32
Israel F1 Futures: Main Draw Singles:
Mor Bulis (ISR) Q: lost to Bar Tzuf Botzar (ISR) 6-3, 6-3 Round of 32
Tal Goldengoren (ISR) WC: def. Matej Maruscak (SVK) 6-2, 7-6 Round of 32
lost to Martin Vaisse (FRA) #6 5-3 Ret. Round of 16
Elias Ymer (SWE): def. Anton Zaitsev (RUS) 3-6, 6-1, 7-5 Round of 32
def. Jozef Kovalik (SVK) #4 6-4, 6-1 Round of 16
lost to Martin Vaisse (FRA) #6 7-6, 7-6 Quarterfinals
Ben Fatael (ISR) WC: lost to Mate Delic (CRO) #7 7-6, 6-0 Round of 32
Main Draw Doubles:
Elias Ymer (SWE) partnering Evan Song (USA) lost to Huang (TPE)/Viasse (FRA) #4 6-3, 6-3 Round of 16
Mor Bulis (ISR) partnering Daniel Alexandrov (ISR) WC lost to Fatael (ISR)/Eros (ISR) 6-3, 4-6, 10-4 Round of 16
Ben Fatael (ISR) partnering Tal Eros (ISR) WC def. Bulis (ISR)/Alexandrov (ISR) 6-3, 4-6, 10-4 Round of 16
Fatael/Eros lost to Elistratov (RUS)/Vasilenko (RUS) 6-4, 1-6, 10-6 Quarterfinals
USA F2 Futures: Main Draw Singles:
Tim Kopinski (USA/Illinois) LL: lost to Leonardo Taveras (POR) 6-3, 6-1 Round of 32
Noah Rubin (USA) Q: def. Sekou Bangoura (USA) 6-3, 6-2 Round of 32
def. Leonardo Taveras (POR) 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 Round of 16
def. Adam Pavlasek (CZE) #6 6-3, 6-3 Quarterfinals
lost to Yoshihito Nishoika (JPN) 6-1, 4-2 Ret. Semifinals
William Blumberg (USA) WC: lost to Adam Pavlasek (CZE) #6 Round of 32
Dennis Uspensky (USA) WC: lost to Eric Quigley (USA) 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 Round of 32
Jared Hiltzik (USA/Illinois) Q: lost to Samuel Bensoussan (FRA) 6-3, 6-4 Round of 32
Main Draw Doubles:
William Blumberg (USA) and Francis Tiafoe (USA) WC def. Nunez Aguilera (MEX)/Zepeda (MEX) 6-2, 6-2 Round of 16
Blumberg/Taifoe def. Redlicki (USA)/Uspensky (USA) 7-6, 7-5 Quarterfinals
Blumberg/Tiafoe def. Di Feo (CAN)/Bangoura (USA) 7-5, 6-4 Semifinals
Jung (USA)/King (USA) #3 def. Blumberg/Tiafoe 6-7, 6-4, 10-6 Finals
Dennis Uspensky (USA) partnering Martin Redlicki (USA) WC def. Erikkson (SWE)/Sekulic (SWE) #4 6-4, 6-2 Round of 16
Blumberg (USA)/Taifoe (USA) def. Redlicki/Uspensky 7-6, 7-5 Quarterfinals
Player of the Week: Thanasi Kokkinakis, Australia
Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) WC: def. Igor Sisling (NED) 7-6, 0-6, 7-6, 6-2 Round of 128
lost to Rafael Nadal (ESP) #1 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 Round of 64
Main Draw Doubles:
Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) partnering Chris Guiccione (AUS) lost to Dodig (CRO)/Melo (BRA) #4 7-5, 7-6 Round of 64
Mixed Doubles:
Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) partnering Donna Vekic (CRO) lost to Goerges (GER)/Quereshi (PAK) 6-3, 6-4 Round of 32
Egypt F1 Futures: Main Draw Singles:
Theo Fornerie (FRA): def. Francesco Garzelli (ITA) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 Round of 32
lost to Yong-Bum Seo (KOR) 6-2 Ret. Round of 16
Main Draw Doubles:
Nikita Kardivar (USA) partnering Dmitry Surchenko (RUS): lost to Cacic (SRB)/Vucic (SRB) #1 6-2, 6-4 Round of 16
Theo Fornerie (FRA) partnering Stefan Fiacan (SUI): lost to Bague (ESP)/Teurer (POL) 6-1, 7-6 Round of 16
France F1 Futures: Main Draw Singles:
Maxime Janvier (FRA) Q: def. Constant Lestienne (FRA) #8 6-4, 6-2 Round of 32
def. Gilles de Sousa (FRA) 6-2, 7-6 Round of 16
lost to Florent Serra (FRA) #1 6-3, 6-4 Quarterfinals
Alexis Gautier (FRA) Q: lost to Juraj Masar (SVK) 3-6, 6-0, 1-0 Ret. Round of 32
Alexandre Muller (FRA) Q: lost to Blazej Koniusz (POL) 6-2, 6-1 Round of 32
Germany F2 Futures: Main Draw Singles:
Karen Khachonov (RUS): Lost to Dimitar Kutrovsky (BUL) 6-0, 6-3 Round of 32
Main Draw Doubles:
Karen Khachonov (RUS) partnering Denis Matsukevich (RUS) #4 def. Grozdanov (BUL)/Kutrovsky (BUL) 7-6, 5-7, 10-8 Round of 16
Khachonov/Matsukevich #4 def. Finzelberg (GER)/Hirschmueller (GER) 6-4, 6-3 Quarterfinals
Khachonov/Matsukevich #4 def. Fallert (GER)/Langer (GER) 6-2, 7-5 Semifinals
Kraweitz (GER)/Wagner (GER) def. Khachonov/Matsukevich #4 4-6, 6-3, 10-7 Finals
Great Britain F1 Futures: Main Draw Singles:
Joe Woolley (GBR) WC: lost to Ashley Hewitt (GBR) #7 6-1, 6-2 Round of 32
Joshua Sapwell (GBR) WC: lost to George Coupland (GBR) 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 Round of 32
Israel F1 Futures: Main Draw Singles:
Mor Bulis (ISR) Q: lost to Bar Tzuf Botzar (ISR) 6-3, 6-3 Round of 32
Tal Goldengoren (ISR) WC: def. Matej Maruscak (SVK) 6-2, 7-6 Round of 32
lost to Martin Vaisse (FRA) #6 5-3 Ret. Round of 16
Elias Ymer (SWE): def. Anton Zaitsev (RUS) 3-6, 6-1, 7-5 Round of 32
def. Jozef Kovalik (SVK) #4 6-4, 6-1 Round of 16
lost to Martin Vaisse (FRA) #6 7-6, 7-6 Quarterfinals
Ben Fatael (ISR) WC: lost to Mate Delic (CRO) #7 7-6, 6-0 Round of 32
Main Draw Doubles:
Elias Ymer (SWE) partnering Evan Song (USA) lost to Huang (TPE)/Viasse (FRA) #4 6-3, 6-3 Round of 16
Mor Bulis (ISR) partnering Daniel Alexandrov (ISR) WC lost to Fatael (ISR)/Eros (ISR) 6-3, 4-6, 10-4 Round of 16
Ben Fatael (ISR) partnering Tal Eros (ISR) WC def. Bulis (ISR)/Alexandrov (ISR) 6-3, 4-6, 10-4 Round of 16
Fatael/Eros lost to Elistratov (RUS)/Vasilenko (RUS) 6-4, 1-6, 10-6 Quarterfinals
USA F2 Futures: Main Draw Singles:
Tim Kopinski (USA/Illinois) LL: lost to Leonardo Taveras (POR) 6-3, 6-1 Round of 32
Noah Rubin (USA) Q: def. Sekou Bangoura (USA) 6-3, 6-2 Round of 32
def. Leonardo Taveras (POR) 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 Round of 16
def. Adam Pavlasek (CZE) #6 6-3, 6-3 Quarterfinals
lost to Yoshihito Nishoika (JPN) 6-1, 4-2 Ret. Semifinals
William Blumberg (USA) WC: lost to Adam Pavlasek (CZE) #6 Round of 32
Dennis Uspensky (USA) WC: lost to Eric Quigley (USA) 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 Round of 32
Jared Hiltzik (USA/Illinois) Q: lost to Samuel Bensoussan (FRA) 6-3, 6-4 Round of 32
Main Draw Doubles:
William Blumberg (USA) and Francis Tiafoe (USA) WC def. Nunez Aguilera (MEX)/Zepeda (MEX) 6-2, 6-2 Round of 16
Blumberg/Taifoe def. Redlicki (USA)/Uspensky (USA) 7-6, 7-5 Quarterfinals
Blumberg/Tiafoe def. Di Feo (CAN)/Bangoura (USA) 7-5, 6-4 Semifinals
Jung (USA)/King (USA) #3 def. Blumberg/Tiafoe 6-7, 6-4, 10-6 Finals
Dennis Uspensky (USA) partnering Martin Redlicki (USA) WC def. Erikkson (SWE)/Sekulic (SWE) #4 6-4, 6-2 Round of 16
Blumberg (USA)/Taifoe (USA) def. Redlicki/Uspensky 7-6, 7-5 Quarterfinals
Player of the Week: Thanasi Kokkinakis, Australia
Australian Open Day 8 Picks
Rafael Nadal (ESP) #1 vs. Kei Nishikori (JPN) #16
Roger Federer (SUI) #6 vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) #10
Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) #22 vs. Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP)
Andy Murray (FRA) #4 vs. Stephane Robert
Roger Federer (SUI) #6 vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) #10
Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) #22 vs. Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP)
Andy Murray (FRA) #4 vs. Stephane Robert
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Australian Open Day 7 Picks
Fabio Fognini (ITA) #15 vs. Novak Djokovic (SRB) #2
Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) #8 vs. Tommy Rebredo (ESP) #17
Florian Mayer (GER) vs. David Ferrer (ESP) #3
Tomas Berdych (CZE) #7 vs. Kevin Anderson (RSA) #19
Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) #8 vs. Tommy Rebredo (ESP) #17
Florian Mayer (GER) vs. David Ferrer (ESP) #3
Tomas Berdych (CZE) #7 vs. Kevin Anderson (RSA) #19
Friday, January 17, 2014
Australian Open Day 6 Picks
Teymuraz Gabashvilli (RUS) vs. Roger Federer (SUI) #6
Rafael Nadal (ESP) #1 vs. Gael Monfils (FRA) #25
Andy Murray (GBR) #4 vs. Feliciano Lopez (ESP) #26
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) #10 vs. Gilles Simon (FRA) #18
Milos Raonic (CAN) #11 vs. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) #22
Donald Young (USA) vs. Kei Nishikori (JPN) #16
Benoit Paire (ESP) #27 vs. Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP)
Martin Klizan (SVK) vs. Stephane Robert (FRA)
Rafael Nadal (ESP) #1 vs. Gael Monfils (FRA) #25
Andy Murray (GBR) #4 vs. Feliciano Lopez (ESP) #26
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) #10 vs. Gilles Simon (FRA) #18
Milos Raonic (CAN) #11 vs. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) #22
Donald Young (USA) vs. Kei Nishikori (JPN) #16
Benoit Paire (ESP) #27 vs. Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP)
Martin Klizan (SVK) vs. Stephane Robert (FRA)
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Australian Open Day 5 Picks
Jeremy Chardy (FRA) #29 vs. David Ferrer (ESP) #3
Denis Isotmin (UZB) vs. Novak Djokovic (SRB) #2
Tomas Berdych (CZE) #7 vs. Damir Dzhumir (BIH)
Tommy Rebredo (ESP) #17 vs. Richard Gasquet (FRA) #9
Kevin Anderson (RSA) #19 vs. Edouard Roger-Vasselin (FRA)
Fabio Fognini (ITA) #15 vs. Sam Querrey (USA)
Florian Mayer (GER) vs. Jerzy Janowicz (POL) #20
Already accidentally saw that Mayer won, but I was going to pick Janowicz so I won't cheat!
Denis Isotmin (UZB) vs. Novak Djokovic (SRB) #2
Tomas Berdych (CZE) #7 vs. Damir Dzhumir (BIH)
Tommy Rebredo (ESP) #17 vs. Richard Gasquet (FRA) #9
Kevin Anderson (RSA) #19 vs. Edouard Roger-Vasselin (FRA)
Fabio Fognini (ITA) #15 vs. Sam Querrey (USA)
Florian Mayer (GER) vs. Jerzy Janowicz (POL) #20
Already accidentally saw that Mayer won, but I was going to pick Janowicz so I won't cheat!
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Australian Open Day 4 Picks
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Australia's Thanasi Kokkinakis will take on World #1 Rafael Nadal Thursday. (Wikipedia: Photo Cred)
Kokkinakis is my favorite junior player to keep track of and watch, as Rafael Nadal is my favorite pro. Since they both won their first round match's at the Aussie Open Tuesday, they will play each other on Rod Laver Arena at approximately 10pm ET tonight on ESPN2.
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Former Ohio State Buckeye and NCAA National Singles Champ Blaz Rola (Slovenia) is also in the 2nd round on Thursday. (College Tennis Online: Photo Cred)
Rafael Nadal (ESP) #1 vs. Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS)
Andy Murray (GBR) #4 vs. Vincent Millot (FRA)
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) #10 vs. Thomaz Bellucci (BRA)
Blaz Kavcic (SLO) vs. Roger Federer (SUI) #6
Jack Sock (USA) vs. Gael Monfils (FRA) #25
Benoit Paire (FRA) #27 vs. Nick Kyrgios (AUS)
Marin Cilic (CRO) vs. Gilles Simon (FRA) #18
Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) vs. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) #5
Andreas Seppi (ITA) #24 vs. Donald Young (USA)
Fernando Verdasco (ESP) #31 vs. Teymuraz Gabashvilli (RUS)
Dusan Lajovic (SRB) vs. Kei Nishikori (JPN) #16
Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE) vs. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) #22
Stephane Robert (FRA) vs. Michal Przysiezny (POL)
Michael Berrer (GER) vs. Feliciano Lopez (ESP) #26
Milos Raonic (CAN) #11 vs. Victor Hanescu (ROU)
Blaz Rola (SLO) vs. Martin Klizan (SVK)
Even though I picked against him, I would give Nick Kyrgios a strong chance to pull off an upset over Benoit Paire.
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Australian Open Day 3 Picks
Leonardo Mayer (ARG) vs. Novak Djokovic (SRB) #2
Matthew Ebden (AUS) vs. Vasek Pospisil (CAN) #28
Tomas Berdych (CZE) #7 vs. Kenny de Schepper (FRA)
Adrian Mannarino (FRA) vs. David Ferrer (ESP) #3
Sam Querrey (USA) vs. Ernests Gulbis (LAT) #23
Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) #8 vs. Alejandro Falla (COL)
Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) vs. Richard Gasquet (FRA) #9
Tommy Rebredo (ESP) #17 vs. Julien Benneteau (FRA)
Pablo Andujar (ESP) vs. Jerzy Janowicz (POL) #20
Fabio Fognini (ITA) #15 vs. Jarkko Nieminen (FIN)
Jeremy Chardy (FRA) #29 vs. Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR)
Kevin Anderson (RSA) #19 vs. Dominic Thiem (AUT)
Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) #14 vs. Florian Mayer (GER)
Dimitry Tursonov (RUS) #30 vs. Denis Istomin (UZB)
Damir Zhumhur (BIH) vs. Ivan Dodig (CRO) #32
Edouard Roger-Vasselin (FRA) vs. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP)
Matthew Ebden (AUS) vs. Vasek Pospisil (CAN) #28
Tomas Berdych (CZE) #7 vs. Kenny de Schepper (FRA)
Adrian Mannarino (FRA) vs. David Ferrer (ESP) #3
Sam Querrey (USA) vs. Ernests Gulbis (LAT) #23
Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) #8 vs. Alejandro Falla (COL)
Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) vs. Richard Gasquet (FRA) #9
Tommy Rebredo (ESP) #17 vs. Julien Benneteau (FRA)
Pablo Andujar (ESP) vs. Jerzy Janowicz (POL) #20
Fabio Fognini (ITA) #15 vs. Jarkko Nieminen (FIN)
Jeremy Chardy (FRA) #29 vs. Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR)
Kevin Anderson (RSA) #19 vs. Dominic Thiem (AUT)
Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) #14 vs. Florian Mayer (GER)
Dimitry Tursonov (RUS) #30 vs. Denis Istomin (UZB)
Damir Zhumhur (BIH) vs. Ivan Dodig (CRO) #32
Edouard Roger-Vasselin (FRA) vs. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP)
Monday, January 13, 2014
Australian Open Day 2 Picks
James Duckworth (AUS) vs. Roger Federer (SUI) #6
Andreas Seppi (ITA) #24 vs. Lleyton Hewitt (AUS)
Rafael Nadal (ESP) #1 vs. Bernard Tomic (AUS)
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) #10 vs. Filippo Volandri (ITA)
Go Soeda (JPN) vs. Andy Murray (GBR) #4
Rhyne Williams (USA) vs. Juan Martin Del Porto (ARG) #5
Ryan Harrison (USA) vs. Gael Monfils (FRA) #25
Marinko Matosevic (AUS) vs. Kei Nishikori (JPN) #16
Ze Zhang (CHN) vs. Fernando Verdasco (ESP) #31
Nick Kyrgios (AUS) vs. Benjamin Becker (GER)
Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) vs. Igor Sijsling (NED)
Michal Przysiezny (POL) vs. Horacio Zeballos (ARG)
Michael Berrer (GER) vs. Michael Llodra (FRA)
Martin Klizan (SVK) vs. John Isner (USA) #13
Benoit Paire (FRA) #27 vs. Frank Dancevic (CAN)
Stephane Robert (FRA) vs. Aljaz Bedene (SLO)
Daniel Brands (GER) vs. Gilles Simon (FRA) #18
Milos Raonic (CAN) #11 vs. Daniel Gimeno-Traver (ESP)
Marin Cilic (CRO) vs. Marcel Granollers (ESP)
Blaz Rola (SLO) vs. Federico Delbonis (ARG)
Roberto Bautista-Agut (ESP) vs. Tim Smyczek (USA)
Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE) vs. Jimmy Wang (TPE)
Teymuraz Gabashvilli (RUS) vs. Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR)
Radek Stepanek (CZE) vs. Blaz Kavcic (SLO)
Robin Haase (NED) vs. Donald Young (USA)
Tobias Kamke (GER) vs. Jack Sock (USA)
Bradley Klahn (USA) vs. Grigor Dimotrov (BUL) #22
Somdev Devvarman (IND) vs. Feliciano Lopez (ESP) #26
Dusan Lajovic (SRB) vs. Lucas Pouille (FRA)
Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) vs. Julian Reister (GER)
Vincent Millot (FRA) vs. Wayne Odesnik (USA)
Andreas Seppi (ITA) #24 vs. Lleyton Hewitt (AUS)
Rafael Nadal (ESP) #1 vs. Bernard Tomic (AUS)
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) #10 vs. Filippo Volandri (ITA)
Go Soeda (JPN) vs. Andy Murray (GBR) #4
Rhyne Williams (USA) vs. Juan Martin Del Porto (ARG) #5
Ryan Harrison (USA) vs. Gael Monfils (FRA) #25
Marinko Matosevic (AUS) vs. Kei Nishikori (JPN) #16
Ze Zhang (CHN) vs. Fernando Verdasco (ESP) #31
Nick Kyrgios (AUS) vs. Benjamin Becker (GER)
Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) vs. Igor Sijsling (NED)
Michal Przysiezny (POL) vs. Horacio Zeballos (ARG)
Michael Berrer (GER) vs. Michael Llodra (FRA)
Martin Klizan (SVK) vs. John Isner (USA) #13
Benoit Paire (FRA) #27 vs. Frank Dancevic (CAN)
Stephane Robert (FRA) vs. Aljaz Bedene (SLO)
Daniel Brands (GER) vs. Gilles Simon (FRA) #18
Milos Raonic (CAN) #11 vs. Daniel Gimeno-Traver (ESP)
Marin Cilic (CRO) vs. Marcel Granollers (ESP)
Blaz Rola (SLO) vs. Federico Delbonis (ARG)
Roberto Bautista-Agut (ESP) vs. Tim Smyczek (USA)
Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE) vs. Jimmy Wang (TPE)
Teymuraz Gabashvilli (RUS) vs. Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR)
Radek Stepanek (CZE) vs. Blaz Kavcic (SLO)
Robin Haase (NED) vs. Donald Young (USA)
Tobias Kamke (GER) vs. Jack Sock (USA)
Bradley Klahn (USA) vs. Grigor Dimotrov (BUL) #22
Somdev Devvarman (IND) vs. Feliciano Lopez (ESP) #26
Dusan Lajovic (SRB) vs. Lucas Pouille (FRA)
Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) vs. Julian Reister (GER)
Vincent Millot (FRA) vs. Wayne Odesnik (USA)
I've been sitting in front of the computer in my work's office working with LinkedIn, so add me if you are on there.
-Alex Guthrie
-Alex Guthrie
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Australian Open Day 1 Singles Picks
David Ferrer (ESP) #4 vs. Alejandro Gonzales (COL)
Lukas Lacko (SVK) vs. Novak Djokovic (SRB) #2
Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) #8 vs. Andrey Golubev (RUS)
Jordan Thompson (AUS) vs. Jerzy Janowicz (POL) #20
Tomas Berdych (CZE) #7 vs. Aleksander Nedovyesov (KAZ)
Marcos Bhagdatis (CYP) vs. Denis Istomin (UZB)
Nicolas Mahut (FRA) vs. Matthew Ebden (AUS)
Samuel Groth (AUS) vs. Vasek Pospisil (CAN) #28
David Guez (FRA) vs. Richard Gasquet (FRA) #9
Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) vs. Tommy Haas (GER) #12
Dominic Theim (AUT) vs. Joao Sousa (POR)
Carlos Berlocq (ARG) vs. Edouard Roger-Vasselin (FRA)
Juan Monaco (ARG) vs. Ernests Gulbis (LAT) #23
Ricardas Berankis (LTU) vs. Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR)
Dudi Sela (ISR) vs. Jarkko Nieminen (FIN)
Fabio Fognini (ITA) #15 vs. Alex Bogomolov Jr. (RUS)
Sam Querry (USA) vs. Santiago Giraldo (COL)
Jan Hajek (CZE) vs. Damir Dzumhur (BIH)
Leonardo Mayer (ARG) vs. Albert Montanes (ESP)
Alejandro Falla (COL) vs. Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ)
Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) vs. Lukasz Kubot (POL)
Ivan Dodig (CRO) #32 vs. Ivo Karlovic (CRO)
Tommy Robredo (ESP) #17 vs. Lukas Rosol (CZE)
Steve Johnson (USA) vs. Adrian Mannarino (FRA)
Dimitry Tursonov (RUS) #30 vs. Michael Russell (USA)
Kevin Anderson (RSA) #19 vs. Jiri Vesely (CZE)
Albert Ramos (ESP) vs. Pablo Andujar (ESP)
Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) #14 vs. Jan-Lennard Struff (GER)
Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) vs. Julien Benneteau (FRA)
Florian Mayer (GER) vs. Denis Kudla (USA)
Jeremy Chardy (FRA) vs. Jesse Huta Galung (NED)
Lukas Lacko (SVK) vs. Novak Djokovic (SRB) #2
Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) #8 vs. Andrey Golubev (RUS)
Jordan Thompson (AUS) vs. Jerzy Janowicz (POL) #20
Tomas Berdych (CZE) #7 vs. Aleksander Nedovyesov (KAZ)
Marcos Bhagdatis (CYP) vs. Denis Istomin (UZB)
Nicolas Mahut (FRA) vs. Matthew Ebden (AUS)
Samuel Groth (AUS) vs. Vasek Pospisil (CAN) #28
David Guez (FRA) vs. Richard Gasquet (FRA) #9
Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) vs. Tommy Haas (GER) #12
Dominic Theim (AUT) vs. Joao Sousa (POR)
Carlos Berlocq (ARG) vs. Edouard Roger-Vasselin (FRA)
Juan Monaco (ARG) vs. Ernests Gulbis (LAT) #23
Ricardas Berankis (LTU) vs. Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR)
Dudi Sela (ISR) vs. Jarkko Nieminen (FIN)
Fabio Fognini (ITA) #15 vs. Alex Bogomolov Jr. (RUS)
Sam Querry (USA) vs. Santiago Giraldo (COL)
Jan Hajek (CZE) vs. Damir Dzumhur (BIH)
Leonardo Mayer (ARG) vs. Albert Montanes (ESP)
Alejandro Falla (COL) vs. Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ)
Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) vs. Lukasz Kubot (POL)
Ivan Dodig (CRO) #32 vs. Ivo Karlovic (CRO)
Tommy Robredo (ESP) #17 vs. Lukas Rosol (CZE)
Steve Johnson (USA) vs. Adrian Mannarino (FRA)
Dimitry Tursonov (RUS) #30 vs. Michael Russell (USA)
Kevin Anderson (RSA) #19 vs. Jiri Vesely (CZE)
Albert Ramos (ESP) vs. Pablo Andujar (ESP)
Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) #14 vs. Jan-Lennard Struff (GER)
Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) vs. Julien Benneteau (FRA)
Florian Mayer (GER) vs. Denis Kudla (USA)
Jeremy Chardy (FRA) vs. Jesse Huta Galung (NED)
Juniors in the Pros Week #2
Australian Open (AUS): Singles Qualifying:
Andrew Harris (AUS/Oklahoma): def. Simone Vagnozzi (ITA) 6-1, 7-5 R1
lost to Ze Zhang (CHN) 6-2, 6-4 R2
Blake Mott (AUS): lost to Enrique Lopez-Perez (ESP) 6-3, 2-6, 6-2, R1
Bradley Mousley (AUS): lost to Vincent Millot (FRA) 6-2, 6-4 R1
Marc Polmans (AUS): lost to Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) #12 6-2, 6-1 R1
Apia International Sydney (AUS): No Junior Players
Heineken Open (NZE): Singles Qualifying:
Alexander Klintcharov (NZE): lost to Lukas Dlouhy (CZE) 6-2, 6-7, 6-0 R1
Ben McLachlan (NZE/California): lost to Sebastian Lavie (NZE) 6-1, 2-6, 6-4 R1
Rhett Purcell (GBR): def. Eric Sock (USA) 6-2, 6-4 R1
lost to Michael Venus #8 (NZE) 6-1, 6-1 R1
Alexander Zverev (GER): def. Daniel Brown (NZE) 6-3, 6-2 R1
lost to Donald Young #3 (USA) 6-3, 6-2 R2
USA F1 Futures: Singles Main Draw:
Jeremy Efferding (USA/Texas A&M): lost to Martin Redlicki (USA) 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 Round of 32
Martin Redlicki (USA): def. Jeremy Efferding 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 Round of 32
lost to Victor Crivoi (ROU) 7-5, 6-3 Round of 16
Noah Rubin (USA): lost to Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN) 4-6, 6-0, 6-1 Round of 32
Doubles Main Draw:
Dennis Upensky (USA) partnering Jaume Pla Malfeito (ESP) def. Felipe Escobar (COL)/Eduardo Struvay (COL) 6-2, 2-6, 10-8 Round of 16
Angel Peredo (MEX) partnering Daniel Garza (MEX) lost to Jean-Yves Aubone (USA)/Vahid Mirzadeh (USA) #1 6-1, 6-1 Round of 16
Agustin Savarino (ARG) partnering Simon D'Alfonso (USA) lost to Markus Eriksson (SWE)/Milos Sekulic (SWE) #4 6-1, 6-2 Round of 16
David Crisovan (USA) partnering Roman Boranov (MDA) lost to Kevin King (USA)/Juan-Carlos Spir (COL) #2 6-2, 6-1 Round of 16
Germany F1 Futures: Singles Main Draw:
Dominik Boehler (GER) WC: lost to Bastian Knittel (GER) #1 6-0, 6-3 Round of 32
Dominique Maden (GER/Clemson) WC: lost to Hugo Nys (FRA) 6-2, 6-3 Round of 32
Doubles Main Draw:
Dominique Maden (GER/Clemson) Partnering Yannick Maden (GER) WC def. Daniel Baumann (GER)/Michael Feucht (GER) 6-3, 7-6 (3) Round of 16
Maden/Maden lost to Blazej Koniusz (POL)/Mateusz Kowalczyk (POL) #2 6-1, 7-5 Quarterfinal
Player of the Week: Andrew Harris, AUS (Oklahoma)
Andrew Harris (AUS/Oklahoma): def. Simone Vagnozzi (ITA) 6-1, 7-5 R1
lost to Ze Zhang (CHN) 6-2, 6-4 R2
Blake Mott (AUS): lost to Enrique Lopez-Perez (ESP) 6-3, 2-6, 6-2, R1
Bradley Mousley (AUS): lost to Vincent Millot (FRA) 6-2, 6-4 R1
Marc Polmans (AUS): lost to Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) #12 6-2, 6-1 R1
Apia International Sydney (AUS): No Junior Players
Heineken Open (NZE): Singles Qualifying:
Alexander Klintcharov (NZE): lost to Lukas Dlouhy (CZE) 6-2, 6-7, 6-0 R1
Ben McLachlan (NZE/California): lost to Sebastian Lavie (NZE) 6-1, 2-6, 6-4 R1
Rhett Purcell (GBR): def. Eric Sock (USA) 6-2, 6-4 R1
lost to Michael Venus #8 (NZE) 6-1, 6-1 R1
Alexander Zverev (GER): def. Daniel Brown (NZE) 6-3, 6-2 R1
lost to Donald Young #3 (USA) 6-3, 6-2 R2
USA F1 Futures: Singles Main Draw:
Jeremy Efferding (USA/Texas A&M): lost to Martin Redlicki (USA) 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 Round of 32
Martin Redlicki (USA): def. Jeremy Efferding 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 Round of 32
lost to Victor Crivoi (ROU) 7-5, 6-3 Round of 16
Noah Rubin (USA): lost to Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN) 4-6, 6-0, 6-1 Round of 32
Doubles Main Draw:
Dennis Upensky (USA) partnering Jaume Pla Malfeito (ESP) def. Felipe Escobar (COL)/Eduardo Struvay (COL) 6-2, 2-6, 10-8 Round of 16
Angel Peredo (MEX) partnering Daniel Garza (MEX) lost to Jean-Yves Aubone (USA)/Vahid Mirzadeh (USA) #1 6-1, 6-1 Round of 16
Agustin Savarino (ARG) partnering Simon D'Alfonso (USA) lost to Markus Eriksson (SWE)/Milos Sekulic (SWE) #4 6-1, 6-2 Round of 16
David Crisovan (USA) partnering Roman Boranov (MDA) lost to Kevin King (USA)/Juan-Carlos Spir (COL) #2 6-2, 6-1 Round of 16
Germany F1 Futures: Singles Main Draw:
Dominik Boehler (GER) WC: lost to Bastian Knittel (GER) #1 6-0, 6-3 Round of 32
Dominique Maden (GER/Clemson) WC: lost to Hugo Nys (FRA) 6-2, 6-3 Round of 32
Doubles Main Draw:
Dominique Maden (GER/Clemson) Partnering Yannick Maden (GER) WC def. Daniel Baumann (GER)/Michael Feucht (GER) 6-3, 7-6 (3) Round of 16
Maden/Maden lost to Blazej Koniusz (POL)/Mateusz Kowalczyk (POL) #2 6-1, 7-5 Quarterfinal
Player of the Week: Andrew Harris, AUS (Oklahoma)
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Juniors in the Pros Week #1
I always wanted to start this column, but now that the new year of tennis is starting I felt in was the right time. I will report on junior (ITF Junior eligibility) results (and also NCAA college players) playing in any ATP World Tour draw, ATP Challenger Tour draw, or ITF Futures Main Draw.
For the first week of the year, here are the results:
Brisbane International (AUS): Singles Qualifying:
Thanasi Kokkinakis WC (AUS): def. Omar Jasika (AUS) 6-2, 6-0 R1
def. Andrey Golubev (KAZ) 6-4, 7-5 R2
def. Di Wu (CHN) 6-1, 6-4 R3
Omar Jasika WC (AUS): lost to Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) 6-2, 6-0 R1
Bradley Mousley WC (AUS): lost to Di Wu (CHN) 6-2, 7-5 R1
Andrew Harris WC (AUS/Oklahoma): lost to Marsel Ilhan (TUR) 6-1 Ret.
Doubles Main Draw:
Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS)/Matthew Ebden (AUS) WC: def. Jarkko Nieminen (FIN)/Gilles Simon (FRA) 6-1, 6-3 Round of 16
lost to Mariusz Fyrstenberg (POL)/Daniel Nestor (CAN) #2 7-5, 4-6, 1-0 QF
Singles Main Draw:
Thanasi Kokkinakis Q (AUS): lost to Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) 6-3, 7-5 Round of 32
Qatar Exxon Mobil Open (QAT): Singles Qualifying:
Abdulla Al-Jufairi WC (QAT): lost to Peter Gojowczyk (GER) 6-0, 6-0 R1
Abdullah Shannan Alharrasi WC (QAT): lost to Jan Hajek #5 (CZE) 6-0, 6-0 R1
Jassem Al Zeyara WC (QAT): lost to Marco Cecchinato (ITA) 6-0, 6-1 R1
Abdulla Al Mohamoud WC (QAT): lost to Blaz Kavcic #4 (SLO) 6-0, 6-0 R1
Aircel Chennai Open (IND): Singles Qualifying:
Karen Khachonov (RUS): def. Hiroki Moriya (JPN) 6-2, 6-4 Round of 32
lost to Alexander Kudryavtsev (RUS) 7-6, 6-3 Round of 16
Sasi Kumar Makund WC (IND): lost to Dusan Lajovic (SRB) 6-3, 6-4 R1
Sumit Nagal WC (IND): lost to Ramkumar Ramanathan (IND) 6-2, 6-0 R1
Doubles Main Draw:
Karen Khachonov (RUS)/Saketh Myneni (IND) WC: def. Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP)/Albert Ramos (ESP) 6-1, 7-6 Round of 16
def. Rohan Bopanna (IND)/Aisum-Ul-Haq (PAK) #1 7-5, 2-6, 12-10 QF
lost to Johan Brunstrom (SWE)/Frederik Nielson (DEN) #4 6-4, 6-3 SF
Noumea Challenger (New Caledonia): Singles Qualifying:
Duck Hee Lee (KOR): def. Sebastien Dumas (FRA) 6-4, 6-1 R1
lost to Austin Krajicek (USA) 6-2, 6-3 R2
Sao Paulo Challenger (Brazil): Singles Qualifying:
Valter Oshiro (BRA): lost to Marcos Azevedo Silva (BRA) 6-1, 6-2 R1
Enzo Kohn (BRA): lost to Paulo Coronado (BRA) 7-5, 6-1 R1
Victor Pereira (BRA): lost to Oscar Jose Gutierrez (BRA) 6-4, 6-2 R1
Antonioni Fasano (BRA): lost to Marcos Dias 7-5, 4-6, 7-5 R1
Caue Giminez (BRA): lost to Gero Kretschmer (GER) 6-2, 6-1 R1
Doubles Main Draw:
Osni Junior (BRA)/Tiago Lopes (BRA) WC: lost to Nicolas Barrientos (COL)/Victor Estrella Burgos (DOM) 6-4, 6-2 Round of 16
Singles Main Draw:
Osni Junior (BRA) WC: lost to Nicolas Barrientos (COL) 6-0, 6-1 Round of 32
Junior Player of the Week: Karen Khachonov, Russia
For the first week of the year, here are the results:
Brisbane International (AUS): Singles Qualifying:
Thanasi Kokkinakis WC (AUS): def. Omar Jasika (AUS) 6-2, 6-0 R1
def. Andrey Golubev (KAZ) 6-4, 7-5 R2
def. Di Wu (CHN) 6-1, 6-4 R3
Omar Jasika WC (AUS): lost to Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) 6-2, 6-0 R1
Bradley Mousley WC (AUS): lost to Di Wu (CHN) 6-2, 7-5 R1
Andrew Harris WC (AUS/Oklahoma): lost to Marsel Ilhan (TUR) 6-1 Ret.
Doubles Main Draw:
Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS)/Matthew Ebden (AUS) WC: def. Jarkko Nieminen (FIN)/Gilles Simon (FRA) 6-1, 6-3 Round of 16
lost to Mariusz Fyrstenberg (POL)/Daniel Nestor (CAN) #2 7-5, 4-6, 1-0 QF
Singles Main Draw:
Thanasi Kokkinakis Q (AUS): lost to Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) 6-3, 7-5 Round of 32
Qatar Exxon Mobil Open (QAT): Singles Qualifying:
Abdulla Al-Jufairi WC (QAT): lost to Peter Gojowczyk (GER) 6-0, 6-0 R1
Abdullah Shannan Alharrasi WC (QAT): lost to Jan Hajek #5 (CZE) 6-0, 6-0 R1
Jassem Al Zeyara WC (QAT): lost to Marco Cecchinato (ITA) 6-0, 6-1 R1
Abdulla Al Mohamoud WC (QAT): lost to Blaz Kavcic #4 (SLO) 6-0, 6-0 R1
Aircel Chennai Open (IND): Singles Qualifying:
Karen Khachonov (RUS): def. Hiroki Moriya (JPN) 6-2, 6-4 Round of 32
lost to Alexander Kudryavtsev (RUS) 7-6, 6-3 Round of 16
Sasi Kumar Makund WC (IND): lost to Dusan Lajovic (SRB) 6-3, 6-4 R1
Sumit Nagal WC (IND): lost to Ramkumar Ramanathan (IND) 6-2, 6-0 R1
Doubles Main Draw:
Karen Khachonov (RUS)/Saketh Myneni (IND) WC: def. Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP)/Albert Ramos (ESP) 6-1, 7-6 Round of 16
def. Rohan Bopanna (IND)/Aisum-Ul-Haq (PAK) #1 7-5, 2-6, 12-10 QF
lost to Johan Brunstrom (SWE)/Frederik Nielson (DEN) #4 6-4, 6-3 SF
Noumea Challenger (New Caledonia): Singles Qualifying:
Duck Hee Lee (KOR): def. Sebastien Dumas (FRA) 6-4, 6-1 R1
lost to Austin Krajicek (USA) 6-2, 6-3 R2
Sao Paulo Challenger (Brazil): Singles Qualifying:
Valter Oshiro (BRA): lost to Marcos Azevedo Silva (BRA) 6-1, 6-2 R1
Enzo Kohn (BRA): lost to Paulo Coronado (BRA) 7-5, 6-1 R1
Victor Pereira (BRA): lost to Oscar Jose Gutierrez (BRA) 6-4, 6-2 R1
Antonioni Fasano (BRA): lost to Marcos Dias 7-5, 4-6, 7-5 R1
Caue Giminez (BRA): lost to Gero Kretschmer (GER) 6-2, 6-1 R1
Doubles Main Draw:
Osni Junior (BRA)/Tiago Lopes (BRA) WC: lost to Nicolas Barrientos (COL)/Victor Estrella Burgos (DOM) 6-4, 6-2 Round of 16
Singles Main Draw:
Osni Junior (BRA) WC: lost to Nicolas Barrientos (COL) 6-0, 6-1 Round of 32
Junior Player of the Week: Karen Khachonov, Russia
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
New Years
Happy new year. I will be posting a story on the Cleveland Browns and the new College Tennis format changes in the next two days. I have a very busy schedule socially and tennis wise so please bare with me. Have a great evening, thanks!
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Juniors in the Pros: My New Tennis Segment
Every Sunday, I will be posting a new segment on my blog called Juniors in the Pros. I have always wanted to start this column, but now that the new year of tennis is starting I felt in was the right time. I will report on junior results (and also NCAA college players) playing in any ATP World Tour draw, ATP Challenger Tour draw, or ITF Futures Main Draw.
Since only qualifying draws are going on this weekend, this segment will start next Sunday.
Since only qualifying draws are going on this weekend, this segment will start next Sunday.
Thursday, December 26, 2013
NBA Time
After watching a full day on NBA on Christmas Day, I have a few thoughts on those games and the league in general.
Western Conference v. Eastern Conference: Yes, I get it. The Western Conference is stronger than the Eastern Conference. It is also nice hearing it 20 times per hour, thanks to the ESPN/ABC reporting teams. I personally am getting frustrated with ESPN reporters. Great information available? Absolutely. But they feel the need to repeat things such as the conference difference every 5 minutes. Please give it a rest. Being a Ohio State fan, and a Cleveland Indians fan, this past fall I have continued to hear about strength of schedules, which conference is better than which, and so on...I am sick of hearing it. Is it Ohio State or the Indians fault they play in a weaker conference/division? No. Same with the Cavs, if they can sneak a way into the playoffs I'll be the first one to say it may be because of them being in the Eastern Conference. But nonetheless that is how sports work. Are commissioners really going to realign conferences/divisions every year based on projections? No. So every conference/division/league isn't going to be equal every year.
Christmas Day Uniforms: I'm all for switching things up on Christmas Day in terms of jerseys and shoes. But I'm wondering who thought up this years uniforms and socks. I mean, they weren't terrible by any means. I just wasn't a fan of the sleeves. I thought the logo look was unique and cool which I applaud. But the sleeves made it look in sorts like a recreation game at a community fitness center. The socks looked liked different colored candy canes which was also strange. I'm a fan of something different but maybe this was too different.
Brooklyn Nets: The worst team in the National Basketball Association. Led by Jason Kidd, this program is just a wreck at 9-19. Now with Brooke Lopez out, who knows what is going to happen to this team now. The team has talent, that is for sure with Jason Terry, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Deron Williams, the team is not clicking. And with Jason Kidd not knowing how to coach a team that isn't helping. Stupid decisions such as benching his starters on Christmas Day as the game went along, the crowd at the Barclays Center had every right to boo. And then there was the pop spilling incident: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2BaJFvpSFk. Not only are the Nets the worst team in my mind, Jay-Z's Brooklyn Nets are just something else that is showing Jason Kidd should not be a coach.
NBA Christmas Day Schedule: I have heard many complaints about the schedule of games yesterday, asking why the LA Lakers, NY Knicks, and other "bad" teams are playing while teams like the Trail Blazers and Pacers are not playing. It's simple. It is not about how good a team is. It's about the market. The Lakers have the 3rd biggest market in the NBA as of last year (behind the Spurs and Heat) so why wouldn't they play on this holiday? After all, the NBA is a business. They also almost always play on this holiday anyways. Also, David Stern and his staff do not schedule solely on the premise of who they think is going to be good each year. Who knew the Trail Blazers would be this good? I sure didn't. The Pacers you could make a case for not playing, but then again their market is not the best (It's not even in the top 15 according to http://wagesofwins.com/2013/03/28/the-best-nba-markets-of-2012-13/). So please do not complain about the scheduling. Just watch and soak it in.
Western Conference v. Eastern Conference: Yes, I get it. The Western Conference is stronger than the Eastern Conference. It is also nice hearing it 20 times per hour, thanks to the ESPN/ABC reporting teams. I personally am getting frustrated with ESPN reporters. Great information available? Absolutely. But they feel the need to repeat things such as the conference difference every 5 minutes. Please give it a rest. Being a Ohio State fan, and a Cleveland Indians fan, this past fall I have continued to hear about strength of schedules, which conference is better than which, and so on...I am sick of hearing it. Is it Ohio State or the Indians fault they play in a weaker conference/division? No. Same with the Cavs, if they can sneak a way into the playoffs I'll be the first one to say it may be because of them being in the Eastern Conference. But nonetheless that is how sports work. Are commissioners really going to realign conferences/divisions every year based on projections? No. So every conference/division/league isn't going to be equal every year.
Christmas Day Uniforms: I'm all for switching things up on Christmas Day in terms of jerseys and shoes. But I'm wondering who thought up this years uniforms and socks. I mean, they weren't terrible by any means. I just wasn't a fan of the sleeves. I thought the logo look was unique and cool which I applaud. But the sleeves made it look in sorts like a recreation game at a community fitness center. The socks looked liked different colored candy canes which was also strange. I'm a fan of something different but maybe this was too different.
Brooklyn Nets: The worst team in the National Basketball Association. Led by Jason Kidd, this program is just a wreck at 9-19. Now with Brooke Lopez out, who knows what is going to happen to this team now. The team has talent, that is for sure with Jason Terry, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Deron Williams, the team is not clicking. And with Jason Kidd not knowing how to coach a team that isn't helping. Stupid decisions such as benching his starters on Christmas Day as the game went along, the crowd at the Barclays Center had every right to boo. And then there was the pop spilling incident: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2BaJFvpSFk. Not only are the Nets the worst team in my mind, Jay-Z's Brooklyn Nets are just something else that is showing Jason Kidd should not be a coach.
NBA Christmas Day Schedule: I have heard many complaints about the schedule of games yesterday, asking why the LA Lakers, NY Knicks, and other "bad" teams are playing while teams like the Trail Blazers and Pacers are not playing. It's simple. It is not about how good a team is. It's about the market. The Lakers have the 3rd biggest market in the NBA as of last year (behind the Spurs and Heat) so why wouldn't they play on this holiday? After all, the NBA is a business. They also almost always play on this holiday anyways. Also, David Stern and his staff do not schedule solely on the premise of who they think is going to be good each year. Who knew the Trail Blazers would be this good? I sure didn't. The Pacers you could make a case for not playing, but then again their market is not the best (It's not even in the top 15 according to http://wagesofwins.com/2013/03/28/the-best-nba-markets-of-2012-13/). So please do not complain about the scheduling. Just watch and soak it in.
Happy Holidays
Happy Holidays to all my viewers. Whatever holiday you are celebrating this season, I hope it is going well. As my Twitter followers know, I am in the process of designing a Believeland Sports T-Shirt. So this afternoon I will be trying to design the shirt. Also this afternoon I hope to have a post up about my current NBA thoughts. Tune in later, thank you!
Monday, December 23, 2013
Australian Open Wildcard Playoff Day 3 Recap
As Tennys Sandgren told reporters on Saturday, he had never played a best out of 5 match before but he wanted to go the distance to see where he would stand. His wish came true as Steve Johnson and Sandgren went 5 sets in the final of the Australian Open Wildcard Playoff. The tournament held in Norcross, Georgia features no prize money, but the winner earning a spot in the 2014 Australian Open main draw of the singles tournament. The USC graduate Steve Johnson rose to this challenge of earning a spot as he took out Sandgren 4-6, 6-3, 0-6, 7-6, 6-1. With this main draw wildcard, this will be Johnson's 6th straight singles main draw appearance in grand slams, dating back to the 2012 US Open. Sandgren most likely will play the qualifying draw in Australia to try to still get into the main draw.
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Australian Open Wildcard Playoff Day 2 Recap
I was hoping to have another story about Chase Buchanan after day 2, but unfortunately his run came to a close as 2 time NCAA Singles champion Steve Johnson of USC knocked him off 6-0, 6-4. In the other semifinal, Tennys Sandgren knocked off Denis Kudla 6-3, 7-6. Both Kudla and Sandgren train with each other in Boca Raton, Florida and they even went out to dinner after the match. The final between Johnson and Sandgren will be a best of 5 set match, like it will be in Australia. Johnson has the edge in this category as he played all 4 main draws of the majors last year, while Sandgren has never played a best of 5 set match before. The winner will have a spot in the main draw singles of the 2014 Australian Open in January.
I went 1-1 in my picks Saturday, so I am 4-2 now. Here is my last pick:
Sandgren def. Johnson (Sorry I haven't given Johnson any love this weekend)
I went 1-1 in my picks Saturday, so I am 4-2 now. Here is my last pick:
Sandgren def. Johnson (Sorry I haven't given Johnson any love this weekend)
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