Monday Net Post
Last Week's Tournaments
BNP Paribas Open (ATP & WTA - Hard - Indian Wells, United States)
Men's Singles Bracket
- Rafael Nadal def. Andy Murray
Men's Doubles Bracket - Mardy Fish/Andy Roddick def. Max Mirnyi/Andy Ram
Women's Singles & Doubles Brackets - Vera Zvonareva def. Ana Ivanovic
- Victoria Azarenka/Vera Zvonareva def. Gisela Dulko/Shahar Peer
McGrogan's Heroes
ATP - Rafael Nadal
I try not to get too far ahead of myself as a sports fan or writer, but Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer elicit fanastical thoughts like no other athletes can.
When Federer was the only sheriff in town from 2004-07, I pleaded with anyone who'd listen to enjoy his beautiful dominance. It wouldn't happen again, and it wouldn't last forever. Turns out that I was only right on one of those counts, because Nadal is making me think that he can do what Federer did a few years back, and possibly better.
There is no doubt anymore that Nadal can win major titles on hard courts, as evidenced by his play at this year's Australian Open and Indian Wells tournaments. True, the U.S. Open is another test altogether due to the faster court speed and late-summer schedule placement. But to suggest that Nadal can't win in Queens - a common argument in years past - is laughable. And with that, I think that the biggest story in tennis this year is Nadal's chances of winning the Grand Slam. The way he's playing right now, it's a possibility, though many things must still go his way. Even Roland Garros, Nadal's personal sandbox, shouldn't be ceded to him right away.
Nadal is playing exceptional tennis, but the unique advantages he holds over Federer and Murray, his greatest competitors, are what I base my lofty projections on. Federer still has no answer for Nadal, and he may never come up with one, as long as the lefty Spaniard can keep placing his shots towards Federer's backhand. It's far too unreliable, and weak, against the relentless Nadal. In regards to Murray, there isn't a shot he can't hit, or get to defensively. But Nadal can simply do both of those things better. That was evident even during the windswept Indian Wells final Sunday.
If Nadal continues to do what he's doing now, we could be in the midst of a very special year in tennis history.
WTA - Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Vera Zvonareva won singles and doubles titles at this year's BNP Paribas Open, which should not be overlooked. (I'll look at your comments below to see if I'm doing just that.) But I was most impressed from the play of 17-year-old Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova last week in Indian Wells.
I've known about Pavlyuchenkova for a little while now, mostly because I'd seen (and memorized how to spell) her last name in many doubles draws. She's had some nice singles results as well, notably at Wimbledon last year, where she beat Alize Cornet and Li Na after qualifying for the tournament.
This year's Indian Wells tournament was Pavlyuchenkova's biggest splash on the singles scene. She upset second-seeded Jelena Jankovic, 6-4, 6-4, just days into the tournament. (For those of you who crave upsets in tournament brackets, you would have enjoyed the women's Indian Wells event.) Pavlyuchenkova then took out Karin Knapp and Nuria Llagostera Vives, the latter aided by a retirement midway through the second set.
But the young Russian still wasn't done yet. In the quarterfinals, Pavlyuchenkova eliminated seventh-seeded Agneiszka Radwanska in straight sets, 7-6, 6-4. Ana Ivanovic finally ended Pavlyuchenkova's surprising run, but it was one of the lasting memories of the tournament nonetheless.
For more insight on Pavlyuchenkova, I suggest reading Steve Tignor's account of her match against Radwanska here. And while you're at it, check out all of Steve's writings from Indian Wells here.
Next Week's Tournament
(TV Schedule)
Sony Ericsson Open (ATP & WTA - Hard - Key Biscayne, United States)
Men's Singles Bracket
Men's Doubles Bracket
Women's Singles & Doubles Brackets
(Main draws to come later in the week.)