The ATP tour is in Miami this week for the Sony Ericsson Open, which means that the tennis player/dolphin photo ops are pretty much inevitable. As is great tennis. And our down and dirty preview of the draw. So here’s the run down of what to expect (or not) from the men this week in Miami, including the juiciest potential match-ups.
TOP HALF vs. BOTTOM HALF:
TOP HALF Top Seeds: Nadal and Murray
TOP HALF Quarterfinals: Nadal vs. Del Potro and Murray vs. Verdasco
TOP HALF spoiler: Nalbandian in Murray’s Rd. of 16.
BOTTOM HALF Top Seeds: Federer and Djokovic
BOTTOM HALF Quarterfinals: Federer vs. Roddick and Djokovic vs. Simon
BOTTOM HALF Spoiler: Tsonga in Simon’s Rd. of 16 (and Djokovic’s Quarterfinal)
JUICY MATCHES:
Taylor Dent and John Isner both through qualifying!
Gulbis vs. Baghdatis in Rd. 1
Hewitt vs. Simon in Rd. 2
Federer vs. Llodra in Rd. 2
Djokovic vs. Baghdatis in the Rd. of 16
Murray vs. Nalbandian in the Rd. of 16
Roddick vs. Marat Safin OR Gael Monfils in the Rd. of 16
Federer vs. Roddick in the quarterfinals
Verdasco vs. Murray OR Nalbandian in the quarterfinals (or substitute F-Lo, Gonzo, or Stepanek for Verdasco)
Tsonga vs. Djokovic in the quarterfinals
Nadal vs. Murray OR Verdasco OR Nalbandian redeux, in the semis (which would be your favorite match-up?)
FINAL PREDICTIONS:
The plot has thickened considerably since last week (or since 2007, depending on who you talk to), making it damn hard to pick a Federer vs. Nadal final. Nadal vs. Tsonga would be awesome, but in my dreams, Federer gets his revenge over Andy Murray or Rafa and everybody STFU for a while.
YOUR CALL:
Who will win Miami: ATP edition Total Voters: 674
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Photo: Gonzo, Tsonga, Zimonjic (dubs player) feed the dolphins at the Miami Seaquarium prior to the Sony Ericsson Open (by Marc Serota/Getty Images for Sony Ericsson)
Tags: ATP, DelPotro, Djokovic, Federer, Murray, Nadal, Roddick, tennis video, Tsonga, Verdasco
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“In my dreams, Federer gets his revenge over Andy Murray or Rafa and everybody STFU for a while.”
Heh. Makes two of us. But in lieu of this (probably unlikely) scenario, a Nadal/Tsonga final would be great. A rematch of Nadal/Verdasco in the semis is what I’m really hoping for, though (provided Nando beats Murray in the QF, pleaseplease) just to see whether or not the heroics at AO were a one off.
Also? Gonzo looks pretty yummy in that photo. And I don’t usually find him that attractive.
Hi Eve! Yeah, I also noticed it was a particularly flattering shot of Gonzo. . .dolphins make him photogenic, I guess, like soft lighting!
Are you a Tsonga fan? I am a HUGE fan of his and I’m really hoping he does well in Miami. I’d like to see him have a bigger profile with fans in general. . .
I’m also with you on the Verdasco thing – after seeing Roger dismiss him in straights last week I had to wonder if he was just a guy on a major hot streak, a la Gonzo at the 2007 Aussie Open or Baghdatis in ‘06. I’m thinking Rafa could embarrass him pretty badly. . .and I bet that actress girlfriend of his saps his attention. He’s better as a celibate monk worshiping at the altar of Gl Reyes. (Can’t you just see him kneeling on the floor in his Adidas shorts and fauxhawk?)
Yeah, I quite like JoWilf. I wouldn’t say I’m a huge fan, because I haven’t seen him play nearly enough. I suppose I’ve stayed clear a bit because I sensed he was the new “hot thing” and I didn’t want to follow him only for that reason. I’m mightily impressed with his talent, though, from what I have seen.
Re Verdasco, I’m *really* hoping it wasn’t just a hot streak. He’s one of my favourites (since before the bandwagoning, I swear!
) and I’m eager to see him do well this year. If he is to meet Rafa, I want him to do what he should have done at AO, but I know it’s probably not that likely. Totally agree with the monk thing, though. Less Camille, more Gil, kay Nando?
LOL, I wonder if Federer will be able to take this title, and while having my doubts, he is just such a huge threat. But all these younger guys are so talented too, and Rafa is on a rampage…I’m excited :]
We’ll see! Besides pulling for Roger, as usual, I’m also pulling for my man Tsonga! I’d love to see him take a big title like Miami.
“…but in my dreams, Federer gets his revenge over Andy Murray or Rafa and everybody STFU for a while.”
I think I love you.
Thanks, Tessa! *blushes*
Seriously, wouldn’t it be AWESOME if my dream came true!