Dark Horses at Wimbledon
I don't really like the term "dark horse" but it is a good way to get the point across. For those who don't know, a dark horse is a player in a tournament that is not expected to go all the way but has a chance at moving deep into the tournament. This year's Wimbledon has the obvious favorite, Roger Federer, but it also has its share of guys who have the potential to meet Federer in the final. You choose.posted by Mary Joe at
10:39 PM
9 Comments:
baghdatis is in a slump, blake is doing well but he is not by far a grass courter, same goes for nadal, ljubicic has all the weapons but has his mind firmly set against grass for some reason and keeps losing on the stuff, andre agassi is too old and looking out of it (lost first round at stella artois) so these aren't great candidates. barely mediocre. here are my picks to challenge the mighty fed's wimbledon reign:
nalbandian: good all surface danger player, reached finals of wimbledon previously.
hewitt: former wimbledon champ fresh off stella artois victory. ancic: you got one right, but this guy's a long shot.
ollie rochus: gave fed hella trouble in halle.
roddick: sucktastic lately but made finals two years running, so he has to be mentioned. in my opinion, he has as much chance this year as safin does though.
gasquet: french wunderkind has been on an injury-induced horrible year. but his running at halle was a good sign. plus he won a grass tournament last year so we know he can play on the stuff.
and for good measure: djokovic and monfils. hey, we all know fed has a horrible record vs. teenagers.
so yeah, that's just my 2(00) cents.
By
Anonymous, at 11:41 AM
oh p.s. i'll put henman in the mix too. just because.
By
Anonymous, at 11:42 AM
I think henman has a better chance to do well this year than most of the other years he's played, I'd have to agree with you on that. Nalbandian is sure to make it far, same with Lube. Hewitt should have a good run too. I definitely think Ancic will make it far. He's a strong grass palyer and he doesn't give up easily.
I'd say I agree with most of what you say.
By
PMac, at 1:16 PM
problem is, my friend, it is hard to just look at those two tournaments and try and make solid picks. a couple players i picked were random but most were right on i believe. i don't think rochus will do that well, he played federer well because he knows federer's game and has a more personal relationship with the world number 1. roddick is just washed up and although he might do alright i doubt he will make the semi's. nalbandian, hewitt, and gasquet are all legit choices i must say. as for federer's poor record against teenagers i am going to have to firmly disagree. nadal is the only former teenager to give federer trouble, djokovic and monfils cannot challenge the best grass courter to ever breathe.
By
Mary Joe, at 6:38 PM
vouz avez oublie petit richard. joyeux anniversaire a lui. he's twenty today but he was eighteen when he beat fed last year.
By
Anonymous, at 8:52 PM
ahh yes sir you are correct, but remember federer came back the next week to destroy young gasquet. thanks for you comments.
By
Anonymous, at 10:38 PM
my pleasure. hope i'm not annoying you too much ;)
p.s. i'm not a sir, but of the female persuasion. thus my affinity for rambling.
By
Anonymous, at 2:31 PM
I didn't even know Gasquet had turned 20. Our little tennis players grow up so fast these days..
P.S. do they really call him Little Richard in France?
By
PMac, at 10:57 PM
yes it seems like some players will always remain teenagers in our minds. best example is mario ancic, people still confuse the 22 year old for a teen sometimes. doesn't help he has a bit of a young face i guess.
p.s. i have no idea if people call richard that because i'm not french and haven't been to france since i was twelve unfortunately. it's more of my own nickname for him. :P
By
Anonymous, at 12:48 PM
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