COVER STORY: JUNE 2007 |
Read more … |
|
 |
  |
|
|
MEN
Rafael Nadal: As Johnny Mac said after he watched the Spaniard bust his record for the most consecutive match victories on a given surface in Rome at 75 (he stood at 77 after winning the clay court title), “Nadal seems like he’s unbeatable now.” Rafa did actually drop a set to Nicolay Davydenko in Italy, but really, he’s as big a favorite to repeat at Roland Garros as Bjorn Borg was when he was on the top of his game.
Roger Federer: The mini-slump is on; four tournaments, no titles, and losses to two other guys not named Nadal. The now coach-less Swiss (he fired Tony Roche) will be under threat the entire 2nd week.
Nikolay Davydenko: Hurt much of the year, the Russian backboard rebounded in Rome and is a substantial threat to reach the semis (and maybe the final if Fed fizzles).
Novak Djokovic: The hottest young player on tour has found his feet on clay and is looking all the part of a top 5 player this year.
Fernando Gonzalez: Slumped after Aussie Open final, but recovered well in Italy. If he keep his sea legs, a roaring run to the final is possible.
Guillermo Canas: Incredible race back into top 20 after his doping suspension. Now the best Argentine on the block and a man to be feared by all.
Tommy Robredo: Sure he won’t win the tournament, but the ‘other Spaniard’ is fierce enough from the baseline to reach the semis.
Richard Gasquet: Tends to fade late, but the young Frenchman is due to be lifted by the crowd deep into the 2nd week.
Spoilers: Young Czech Tomas Berdych, Argentine vet David Nalbandian, tireless Spaniard David Ferrer, streaky Russian Mikhail Youzhny, hot Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela, ‘03 champ Juan Carlos Ferrero,up-and-down Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis, Argentine teen Juan Martin Del Potro.
Probable FIRst-Week Casualties: American top 10ers Andy
Roddick and James Blake, plus fast surface lovers Tommy Haas, Marat Safin,
Lleyton Hewitt, Andy Murray and Ivan Ljubicic.
WOMEN
Justine Henin: Finally took a decent-sized loss in Berlin to Kuznetsova, but in her beloved Philippe Chatrier Stadium, the three-time champ knows how to pick foes apart.
Serena Williams: If you are ever going to doubt the eight- time Slam champ, do it on clay, but the ‘02 champ is fired up to win the calendar-year Slam and won’t go down easily.
Svetlana Kuznetsova: Superb Russian runner finally toppled Henin again and loves to pound inside-out forehands on dirt. Mental makeup at the Slams still in question.
Jelena Jankovic: Incredibly talented Serbian is ready to break through to first Slam crown if she finds a way to dig a little deeper.
Ana Ivanovic: Every few months, the tall, strong Serb teen busts out like she did in winning Berlin. But may be too nice to win a Slam.
Nicole Vaidisova: Tall Czech banger on the verge of something great, but must keep temper in check and think her way through tough spots.
Nadia Petrova: The clock is ticking on this enigmatic athlete’s daughter, but the Russian’s potential for great feats is still there.
Venus Williams: Some may say that putting her amongst the top 8 is showing home-country bias, but if you are looking for potential winners who know how to close, look no further than this chronically injured five-time Slam champ.
Spoilers: Russian kids Dinara Safina and Anna Chakvetadze, Russian vet Elena Dementieva, the chatty Frenchwoman Tatiana Golovin, the gritty Israeli Shahar Peer, the smooth Slovak Daniela Hantuchova, and Czech lefty Lucie Safarova.
Probable FIRst-Week Casualties: The injured Maria Sharapova, the fading Amelie Mauresmo, the clay-hating Na Li and Shuai Peng of China, and Ai Sugiyama of Japan.
© 2007 INSIDE TENNIS All
rights reserved.
All photographs, text and graphics, appearing on the Inside Tennis web
site are protected by copyright.
Any republication, retransmission or reproduction or other use is prohibited
without express written permission of Inside Tennis.
