J-man
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young guns at AOwhich young gun oter than nadal will do good at this upcoming AO??
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Agassi2000
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I think there will be alot of young guys pressuring the veterans this year. I don't think anyone that unexpected will win, but I can see some upsets from the rising young men of the late 2005 season.
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beachjm
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My first choice is Berdych. I love this guy's game, even if its a little up and down, sort of like Safin. He had a disappointing 1st half (or maybe realizing its harder when more people expect you to do well) but came on in the 2nd half of the year. Big win in Paris should be first of many to come. Could make quarters or better. Sky's the limit for this guy, but he's still a year or so off until he plays consistent tennis.
I love Gasquet's game as well (beautiful backhand). But he played in only 1 tourney after the U.S. Open in '05, recovering from an injury. Bit of a wildcard. Watch out once the clay season starts.
Same thing goes for Monfils (wildcard). Could go deep or lose early. The athleticism of this kid is off the charts but it will probably take him another year or two to harness all his talents. If he does, this guy could be special.
Murray, Djokovic could win some matches. Murray is a solid player that seems to be tough mentally and finds a way to win matches. Don't know much about Djokovic, but I know a lot of you guys are raving about him and that's good enough for me.
Baghadatis is another pretty young guy that's talented and good for the game. Disappointing '05 but did make the 4th rd last year at AO and made a final at a late season tourney. Could surprise some folks out of the gate.
One other guy, Verdasco, is a bit older but I've been waiting for him to start breaking out. Has a big forehand/big game and should start to rise up the rankings. Not so sure how consistent/good he is on all surfaces.
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J-man
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i myself would go with murray. he's got good game and nice forehand. but his fitnesse could use some touching up. which could hurt him at AO.
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Agassi2000
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| beachjm wrote: | My first choice is Berdych. I love this guy's game, even if its a little up and down, sort of like Safin. He had a disappointing 1st half (or maybe realizing its harder when more people expect you to do well) but came on in the 2nd half of the year. Big win in Paris should be first of many to come. Could make quarters or better. Sky's the limit for this guy, but he's still a year or so off until he plays consistent tennis.
I love Gasquet's game as well (beautiful backhand). But he played in only 1 tourney after the U.S. Open in '05, recovering from an injury. Bit of a wildcard. Watch out once the clay season starts.
Same thing goes for Monfils (wildcard). Could go deep or lose early. The athleticism of this kid is off the charts but it will probably take him another year or two to harness all his talents. If he does, this guy could be special.
Murray, Djokovic could win some matches. Murray is a solid player that seems to be tough mentally and finds a way to win matches. Don't know much about Djokovic, but I know a lot of you guys are raving about him and that's good enough for me.
Baghadatis is another pretty young guy that's talented and good for the game. Disappointing '05 but did make the 4th rd last year at AO and made a final at a late season tourney. Could surprise some folks out of the gate.
One other guy, Verdasco, is a bit older but I've been waiting for him to start breaking out. Has a big forehand/big game and should start to rise up the rankings. Not so sure how consistent/good he is on all surfaces. |
I agree that Berdych is going to have a good 2006 season. Other ones to look out for are definately murray and ginepri (who had a semi final run at the Open).
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J-man
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| Agassi2000 wrote: | | beachjm wrote: | My first choice is Berdych. I love this guy's game, even if its a little up and down, sort of like Safin. He had a disappointing 1st half (or maybe realizing its harder when more people expect you to do well) but came on in the 2nd half of the year. Big win in Paris should be first of many to come. Could make quarters or better. Sky's the limit for this guy, but he's still a year or so off until he plays consistent tennis.
I love Gasquet's game as well (beautiful backhand). But he played in only 1 tourney after the U.S. Open in '05, recovering from an injury. Bit of a wildcard. Watch out once the clay season starts.
Same thing goes for Monfils (wildcard). Could go deep or lose early. The athleticism of this kid is off the charts but it will probably take him another year or two to harness all his talents. If he does, this guy could be special.
Murray, Djokovic could win some matches. Murray is a solid player that seems to be tough mentally and finds a way to win matches. Don't know much about Djokovic, but I know a lot of you guys are raving about him and that's good enough for me.
Baghadatis is another pretty young guy that's talented and good for the game. Disappointing '05 but did make the 4th rd last year at AO and made a final at a late season tourney. Could surprise some folks out of the gate.
One other guy, Verdasco, is a bit older but I've been waiting for him to start breaking out. Has a big forehand/big game and should start to rise up the rankings. Not so sure how consistent/good he is on all surfaces. |
I agree that Berdych is going to have a good 2006 season. Other ones to look out for are definately murray and ginepri (who had a semi final run at the Open). |
i think ginepri will stay in the top 30-20 next year. he'll have some nice wins but most on hardcourts. he needs to pick up his play on other surfaces to get a better ranking
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big server
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Monfils,Berdych and Djokovic...
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Agassi2000
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| big server wrote: | | Monfils,Berdych and Djokovic... |
Berdych definately. He has already shown that he can win the big ones towards the end of 2005, and will be able to do some damage next year, maybe making an upset at the AO. Monfilis still has alot of work to do on his game, but will be one to watch in 2006.
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Babzzzzz
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I hope to see more of Richard Gasquet at the AO. Unfortunitaly he suffered from a serious shoulder/elbow injury and only started training again since mid December so I hope he has recovered enough when the AO starts.
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J-man
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| Babzzzzz wrote: | | I hope to see more of Richard Gasquet at the AO. Unfortunitaly he suffered from a serious shoulder/elbow injury and only started training again since mid December so I hope he has recovered enough when the AO starts. |
yes gasquet. this guy rocks!!! hopefully we can see him at AO. i love his playing style and his backhand (who doesn't   ). i hope this year at the french he can do better, if he doesn't go aganist nadal or even federer.
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x.doublea
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| J-man wrote: | | Babzzzzz wrote: | | I hope to see more of Richard Gasquet at the AO. Unfortunitaly he suffered from a serious shoulder/elbow injury and only started training again since mid December so I hope he has recovered enough when the AO starts. |
yes gasquet. this guy rocks!!! hopefully we can see him at AO. i love his playing style and his backhand (who doesn't ). i hope this year at the french he can do better, if he doesn't go aganist nadal or even federer. |
But you have to remember, Gasquet beat Federer at the Monte Carlo Masters last year. That should give him some confidence against Federer on clay. One match after that, Gasquet pushed Nadal to a final set. (At Hamburg, Gasquet lost to Federer in the final in three tight sets).
In terms of the AO, I don't think he will do that well. I predict he will lose in the 4th round/ Quarterfinals.
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J-man
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| x.doublea wrote: | | J-man wrote: | | Babzzzzz wrote: | | I hope to see more of Richard Gasquet at the AO. Unfortunitaly he suffered from a serious shoulder/elbow injury and only started training again since mid December so I hope he has recovered enough when the AO starts. |
yes gasquet. this guy rocks!!! hopefully we can see him at AO. i love his playing style and his backhand (who doesn't ). i hope this year at the french he can do better, if he doesn't go aganist nadal or even federer. |
But you have to remember, Gasquet beat Federer at the Monte Carlo Masters last year. That should give him some confidence against Federer on clay. One match after that, Gasquet pushed Nadal to a final set. (At Hamburg, Gasquet lost to Federer in the final in three tight sets).
In terms of the AO, I don't think he will do that well. I predict he will lose in the 4th round/ Quarterfinals. |
quarterfinals isn't bad, not bad at all. but i think a good way to beat gasquet is to not give him much rythym. that's what henman did to beat him.
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x.doublea
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You're right. Either keep him out of his rhythm or simply overpower him.
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J-man
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yeah espically with that backhand of his
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leftys_rock
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yeah i luv that backhand....there was a blurb about it in tennis mag a few months ago....
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J-man
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| leftys_rock wrote: | | yeah i luv that backhand....there was a blurb about it in tennis mag a few months ago.... |
yeah i remeber that
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beachjm
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One thing about Gasquet. He plays that flashy, all court great game that a lot of the French players have. But I wonder if he'll be a guy that plays too pretty/artistic to win some of the tough matches that you have to grind out? I know he has a lot of time to straighten out some of the rough edges (and a lot of people had the same questions about Federer prior to '03) but that could be a weakness for him.
Does anyone remember a fellow Frenchmen a decade or so ago named Cedric Pioline? He had a really flashy, all court game (was good enough to get to 2 GS finals, although he got drilled in both by Sampras) and Gasquet sort of reminds me of him.
Still I love this guy's game. Lot of potential, all-world backhand, and when he gets stronger mentally/physically I think he can not only give Nadal a run for his money but also Federer. Federer said Gasquet reminds him a bit of himself. I can't think of a better compliment than that.
It always shocks me that the French haven't produce a male GS champ sicne Noah in '83. I think Gasquet and Monfils will end that long draught in the next 3-5 yrs.
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leftys_rock
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hewitt lost today!!  and schnyder lost today too!!
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J-man
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| leftys_rock wrote: | | hewitt lost today!! and schnyder lost today too!! |
YES BOTH VERY BIG UPSETS
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leftys_rock
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well that completely mixes up the favorite in the tournaments....its up for grabs now...
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J-man
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| beachjm wrote: | One thing about Gasquet. He plays that flashy, all court great game that a lot of the French players have. But I wonder if he'll be a guy that plays too pretty/artistic to win some of the tough matches that you have to grind out? I know he has a lot of time to straighten out some of the rough edges (and a lot of people had the same questions about Federer prior to '03) but that could be a weakness for him.
Does anyone remember a fellow Frenchmen a decade or so ago named Cedric Pioline? He had a really flashy, all court game (was good enough to get to 2 GS finals, although he got drilled in both by Sampras) and Gasquet sort of reminds me of him.
Still I love this guy's game. Lot of potential, all-world backhand, and when he gets stronger mentally/physically I think he can not only give Nadal a run for his money but also Federer. Federer said Gasquet reminds him a bit of himself. I can't think of a better compliment than that.
It always shocks me that the French haven't produce a male GS champ sicne Noah in '83. I think Gasquet and Monfils will end that long draught in the next 3-5 yrs. |
you pointed out a good point in saying he might be to"flashy" to grind himself out of some tough and greuling matches. but when you think about it, he's a clay court player. most clay court players have the ablity to grind points out and matches. so he proably will be able to.
i agree with alot of things you said. gasquet will defenitly give nadal and federer a run for their money. gasquet and monfils could well be GS champs (i could see more maybe gasquet).
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leftys_rock
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he'll be a bit GS contender when hes in his later 20s.....cuz hes making an impression even now....
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J-man
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| leftys_rock wrote: | | he'll be a bit GS contender when hes in his later 20s.....cuz hes making an impression even now.... |
he could be contender this year for FO.
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leftys_rock
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yeah....is he good on hard courts??
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beachjm
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I agree that Gasquet's best surface right now is on clay, but he could definitely be an all-court star. He did reach the 4th rd at both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. The game desparately needs more players that do well on multiple surfaces. I hope the 5 best young guns (you probably know who they are, because myself and a lot of others keep repeating their names) one day become threats on at least 2 if not 3 surfaces. Tennis would be in for a heyday not seen since the '80s or '70s if that went down.
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leftys_rock
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thats true....he should do pretty good at AO cuz its a slower hard court....
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J-man
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yeah that's why nadal has a chance
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leftys_rock
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yup...how did he do at AO last year?? i didnt notice him so....
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J-man
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i forget what round he got to. but i do remeber that he lost to hewitt
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leftys_rock
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oh...whatever round he got to...he should do better this year...that backhand is gonna get him places....
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dav6789
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Nadal got to the 4th round and lost to Hewitt in 5 sets having had a 2-1 lead
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leftys_rock
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oh well....hope he can make it there this year....hope he gets better....
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J-man
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oh don't worry he will get better. this AO i expect him to be at least a quarterfinals
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beachjm
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I don't Gasquet was even in the main draw at last year's AO. Remember he was just outside the top 100 when he upset Federer in Monte Carlo. Plus, he infamously was disqualified in the qualies at the '04 U.S. Open for throwing his racquet and nearly decapitating a ball boy.
So his rise up the rankings last year was pretty amazing, although it was overshadowed by Nadal's jump from 51 to 2.
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leftys_rock
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he should get somewhere in 06....im a little confused, is he a better clay court or grass court player??
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dav6789
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Gasquet is an all-around , all-surface player. He got to his biggest final in Hamburg masters, and then won his first title on grass in nottingham .
By the way , Gasquet didnt play in melbourne last year, he played in 2004 ( lost in the first round to Florian Mayer)
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Agassi2000
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I'd say gasquet will reach the 4th round of the AO. He could reach the quarters, but I don't think he will make it that far.
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J-man
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| beachjm wrote: | I don't Gasquet was even in the main draw at last year's AO. Remember he was just outside the top 100 when he upset Federer in Monte Carlo. Plus, he infamously was disqualified in the qualies at the '04 U.S. Open for throwing his racquet and nearly decapitating a ball boy.
So his rise up the rankings last year was pretty amazing, although it was overshadowed by Nadal's jump from 51 to 2. |
just about everyone was overshawodwed by nadal's jump
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leftys_rock
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yeah everybody was talking about nadal and everybody forgot gasquet....
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beachjm
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Good pts. Gasquet ithough s coming off an injury that he suffered late last year. He's already played one tourney and lost in the 1st rd to Henman, but that's not a bad loss. I think Henman will make a comeback this year and get back in the top 15 or so.
What about another young French stud, Monfils? Pretty impressive getting to the final against Federer. He didn't get embarassed in that match either.
He's got a big serve (motion is really similar to Roddick's), great athleticism, and from what I hear a pretty good all around game. He just isn't a basher. When this kid puts it together, it could be scary for a lot of the guys on the tour. Wouldn't be surprised if he does very well at the AO.
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J-man
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| beachjm wrote: | Good pts. Gasquet ithough s coming off an injury that he suffered late last year. He's already played one tourney and lost in the 1st rd to Henman, but that's not a bad loss. I think Henman will make a comeback this year and get back in the top 15 or so.
What about another young French stud, Monfils? Pretty impressive getting to the final against Federer. He didn't get embarassed in that match either.
He's got a big serve (motion is really similar to Roddick's), great athleticism, and from what I hear a pretty good all around game. He just isn't a basher. When this kid puts it together, it could be scary for a lot of the guys on the tour. Wouldn't be surprised if he does very well at the AO. |
a lot of france players aren't really "bashers". they all have a certain variety in their game. but i agree monfils is a player to watch. this year i expect him to climb in the rankings, and maybe at the end of this year be higher than gasquet. he should do pretty well at AO, he could be up there with nadal (if he plays). i don't think henman will make it into the top 15. but he will do better this year.
but considering his injury it could be a rocky start to the year for gasquet. but wait to the clay court season starts and again he will do good.
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leftys_rock
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yup....hes gonna be a factor at the AO..
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J-man
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| leftys_rock wrote: | | yup....hes gonna be a factor at the AO.. |
are you talking about gasquet monfils??? they could both be factors at AO
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leftys_rock
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oops....well both really  theyre time is coming..
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J-man
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you know i think i could see monfils as alittle bit bigger threat at AO then gasquet.. just because monfils is more suited for hardcourt than gasquet how is more suited to clay.
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leftys_rock
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yup monfils is doing better....
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J-man
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even though he lost in the conslation exbition match
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leftys_rock
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oh well....it was against andy roddick anyway.....it would have been a big accomplisment for monfils to beat him....
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J-man
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he's come close though
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leftys_rock
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yes he has....it should be a nice year for him....if he shows his stuff....
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J-man
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i think this could be monfils year to shine for france.
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leftys_rock
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yup....cuz france needs some new up and comers.....
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J-man
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monfils needs to get on the france davis cup team.i didn't see him last year
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dav6789
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France has loads of up and comers, they just need one to breakthrough in a slam.
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J-man
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| dav6789 wrote: | | France has loads of up and comers, they just need one to breakthrough in a slam. |
yeah i agree
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x.doublea
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| Agassi2000 wrote: | | I'd say gasquet will reach the 4th round of the AO. He could reach the quarters, but I don't think he will make it that far. |
Gasquet certainly has his hands full in the first round: he plays Tommy Haas, who beat Federer just this Wednesday.
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J-man
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that match for him will be very tough
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leftys_rock
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yeah....and he has an early meeting with fed i think....if he gets past haas...
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beachjm
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Sometimes I hate it when too really good players have to face off in the 1st rd (Gasquet vs Haas) and then you have someone ranked like 60th in the world and they draw a qualifier. The draw is just so random! At least when they switched to 32 seeds, which was a great idea, the top players avoid each other until the 3rd rd. But some of the match ups are really tough in the 1st and 2nd rd for the men. I mean if I'm Hewitt, I'm not too thrilled to know that I'm going to play either Murray or Chela in the 2nd rd. And as much as I like Gasquet, I think Haas will beat him. Especially since Gasquet is coming off an injury and hasn't played much in months.
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leftys_rock
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yes that is just too bad for gasquet.....cuz he has a tough match against haas and if he wins that, he had a tough one against fed later....
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J-man
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if he beat's haas then he's going to lose to federer
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leftys_rock
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yes...that draw just treated gasquet really badly....its just very unfortunate for him.....
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J-man
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oh well that's tennis for you
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leftys_rock
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yes the results of tennis are usually based on draws...lol.....but having a tough draw makes u feel really good if u make it into the later rounds...
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dav6789
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How do they make the draws ?
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leftys_rock
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i think just random names out of a hat...but im not sure...
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Ruiz
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| leftys_rock wrote: | | i think just random names out of a hat...but im not sure... |
Except the seeded players of course. 
1 at the top half
2 at the bottom half
3 and 4 are drawed each in a half.
5,6,7 en 8 are drawed in the quarters.
and so on, after drawing the seeded players, they fill out the rest of the board starting at the top with all the other names placed in a hat .
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leftys_rock
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yeah i was meaning the picking of who gets to play the seeded players....
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Ruiz
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| leftys_rock wrote: | | yeah i was meaning the picking of who gets to play the seeded players.... |
ah owkey
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leftys_rock
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who else of notice is in the bottom half??
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Ruiz
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| leftys_rock wrote: | | who else of notice is in the bottom half?? |
Schiavone played very well last week, maybe she can get far.
And who knows: Martina
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leftys_rock
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is pierce in the bottom half??
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Ruiz
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| leftys_rock wrote: | | is pierce in the bottom half?? |
yes!
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leftys_rock
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oh...we might see a USO final rematch....hope pierce is up to it....
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Ruiz
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| leftys_rock wrote: | | oh...we might see a USO final rematch....hope pierce is up to it.... |
Clijsters - Pierce would be in the HF
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leftys_rock
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whats the HF?? cuz its either QF, SF, or F
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Ruiz
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| leftys_rock wrote: | | whats the HF?? cuz its either QF, SF, or F |
Owkey my mistake, i was thinking in my own language (dutch)
Halve Finale (HF) = Semi Finale
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J-man
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| Ruiz wrote: | | leftys_rock wrote: | | who else of notice is in the bottom half?? |
Schiavone played very well last week, maybe she can get far.
And who knows: Martina |
martina is my dark horse for the tournment
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leftys_rock
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yes...vaidisova is too....whos her first rounder against??
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Ruiz
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| leftys_rock wrote: | | yes...vaidisova is too....whos her first rounder against?? |
Nicole Vaidisova CZE (16)
vs.
Anastasiya Yakimova BLR
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Agassi2000
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| Ruiz wrote: | | leftys_rock wrote: | | yes...vaidisova is too....whos her first rounder against?? |
Nicole Vaidisova CZE (16)
vs.
Anastasiya Yakimova BLR |
Never once heard of her. Should be an easy win for vaidisova, unless pressure gets to her. It seems though that even at such a young age, she has shown that she can ignore the pressure of being upset by a lower ranked player.
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x.doublea
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It should be an easy straight setter for her.
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leftys_rock
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yes.....vaidisova can upset players that are better than her.....she should have a nice match vs. mauresmo in the later rounds....
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captainwiggly
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Well my girl Samantha Stosur had a great tournament mates.
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leftys_rock
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yeah, the second set was nice....except hingis just outplayed her in the end....
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captainwiggly
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I really love the last game of the 2nd set.
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beachjm
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Who would have thought that of all the young guys, Baghdatis would make it the farthest. I actually thought Berdych would make it to the semis but I bricked on that one.
Baghdatis has a very colorful game and personality. He's good for the game and obviously the fans love him. It's time to add him to the list with the other 5 young up and comers, 'cause I belive he's only 20 yrs. old.
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canadian-southpaw
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Who is this guy Baghdatis and where did he come from. He doesn't look that young so I don't know if I'd call him a young gun, but he is putting on a pretty good performance.
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dav6789
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He is from the greek part of Cyprus, and is a former world junior number 1. He is 20 years old, and has been playing well in the last year. In 2004, he was the only person (after Agassi) to get a set from Federer at the USOpen. In 2005, he reached the 4th round in Melbourne, and also reached his first final in Basel. Big shock that he is in the SF.
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J-man
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i remeber they were talking about this guy baghdatis last year at AO. then he dissperared and you didn't hear much about him
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x.doublea
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| J-man wrote: | | i remeber they were talking about this guy baghdatis last year at AO. then he dissperared and you didn't hear much about him |
His arm muscles were too big and they were pushing onto his nerves, so he had to stop playing and have surgery. And after playing a few months with junior racquets, he started training to return back to the tour. What a comeback he's made!
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dav6789
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Yes, and he's only 20 years old, so he has a great career in front of him.
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x.doublea
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| dav6789 wrote: | | Yes, and he's only 20 years old, so he has a great career in front of him. |
He's really lucky that he recovered from his strange injury. I've never heard of someone having to have surgery because he over-worked-out.
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J-man
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i'm surprised nadal hasn't had it done
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x.doublea
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I think Baghdatis might have had his nerves originally at the wrong place.
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J-man
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 what!? so he was like born like that??
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x.doublea
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Not sure, but I know that it has been a long term problem for Baghdatis.
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canadian-southpaw
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Wouldn't it be interesting if Baghdatis & Hingis won the AO. That would definetly stir things up in the tennis world.
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x.doublea
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That would be a great triumph for the journeyman (Baghdatis) and a wonderful return for Hingis.
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J-man
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yes it would be a great rriumph. very unusal winners
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