[Season 4] (Day 21) PSALT's Preview: Roddick Open

PSALT · [Season 4] (Day 21) PSALT's Preview: Roddick Open

The Roddick Open is the only Tier I of the fleeting grass season. The winner has gone on to the final of Wimbledon two of the last three seasons. It’s list of champions is impeccable, needless to say, anyone who’s anyone on grass shows up (unless your company is having a fashion show, who could I be talking about?). Jennacourt is the defending champion; her defending is more than unlikely though. I would bet almost anything that the winner will come out of the right part of the draw. Matches to watch,

PSALT-Edelstein – These two have a long history, PSALT was the first player from his generation to really challenge Edelstein, other players then followed suit. Only two seasons ago PSALT handed John his first loss in a Slam before the second week in three years at Wimbledon. John will be more than happy to get some revenge. He truly has been a bottom feeder this entire season, though, he will need to really get his game together to make it close.

Leftys-NEA – Leftys started to actually give her game an identity a few seasons back. Like I said before, her game is fragile, but still, she has a game style, get to net and mix it up. Whether that will be enough for NEA remains to be seen. He did make a Wimby semi, but still, he is not a natural player on grass. Even so, if he can keep it close, he should be able to come up with the big shot on important points.

Doublea-Jbors – Doublea gets so much attention on grass, but he has yet to deserve it. The closest he got was a RD16 at Wimby, where he choked against Valkyrie. Still, he has a great game. Jbors will be a tough task; he himself has a good game for grass.

I have an interview with NEA,

Q. Grass is your least favorite surface, what, if any, hopes do you have? Do honestly see yourself returning to the Wimbledon semis?

NEA. Well I just reached the Semi-Finals of a Tier II grasscourt event, I reach the SF here at the Roddick Open last year and I am a former Wimbledon Semi-Finalist. I have hopes. Not that high, but still I hope to emulate my previous success. If I repeated last year I would be very satisfied but I would really like to win my first Grand Slam here at Wimbledon, that would be special.

Q. What is your opinion on Edelstein? Do you feel that he is dragging his retirement out? Or do you feel people are too willing to shut the door on his great career?

NEA. I think John is perfectly entitled to "drag out" his career in the fashion that he is doing so but, in all honesty, I think he is ruining his legacy as each tournament goes by. I do enjoy beating John all these times now as a kind of revenge from all the times he defeated me at his best but it is sad to see a true legend of the game moping about getting beaten by everyone and anyone. He knows himself when it is time to stop but, seriously, what is he waiting for? The game has nothing to offer him anymore, he ought to stop soon or his legacy will be ruined forever. I am already thinking of him as an old, senile man, which is unfortunate but hopefully he can string some wins together...just not against me.

Q. Doublea said in a recent interview with me, that PSALT will be John or Vanessa, but he wasn't sure about you since you don't win the 'big matches'. What do you think about that? Do you think you struggle in Slams and such?

NEA. Yes I do struggle in Slams. For sure. I cannot deny that. I am not poor in Slams by any means, just mediocre or average. I am a QF or SF slam player which is far from where I want to be but I have time and I am building such a good basis for myself. The only good Slam players that are similar to my age are PSALT and j-man, dav does not even remotely count; his Australian Open Final was absolutely pathetic, it was like a Tier II at best. Sarahginia? What? I am also renowned for getting tough draws in Slams but don't worry: my time will come.

Q. You have a very difficult draw here, Leftys, Doublea, then probably Bizet or PSALT. All four of which are more than capable grasscourters. How do you see yourself doing?

Rubbish. Out first round. I hope Doublea wins something here though, his season has been miserable.

Q. Pick who will have a great grass season.

NEA. Bizet! I don't like the guy personally but he loves the grass, his serve can actually get him somewhere on this surface. I hope Vanessa trashes him.

Picks,

Jennacourt def Adelaide 6-4 6-2
Stevos def J-man 7-6 3-6 7-5
Tricatrina def Dreyfus 6-2 4-6 6-4
Dave def Aztec 6-2 6-3
Bizet def Avolt 6-0 6-2
PSALT def Edelstein 6-4 6-4
Doublea def Jbors 6-3 7-6
NEA def Leftys 6-4 4-6 7-6

Jennacourt def Stevos 6-4 4-6 6-4
Tricatrina def Dave 6-4 7-5
Bizet def PSALT 7-5 5-7 7-5
Doublea def NEA 7-6 4-6 6-4

Tricatrina def Jennacourt 6-3 3-6 6-2
Bizet def Doublea 6-7 7-6 7-6

Bizet def Tricatrina 6-2 6-7 6-3