US Open 2010: Pick Your Bets!

As Novak Djokovic took some time from practice to have a sweet moment with his childhood friend, the US Open 2010 has begun. Ana Ivanovic played her first round match in the Grandstand and she destroyed the 2010 AEGON Champion (E. Makarova).

The French Open Champion will meet Zheng Jie in the second round. What do you think will happen?

Personal Bets

I want Rafael Nadal to win the singles and complete his Golden Slam Career. It’s already a known-fact Rafa’s knees are not too strong for US Hardcourt and if history repeats itself, I can see Rafa losing easily before the finals just like in 2008 (l. to Murray) and 2009 (l. to Del Potro).

Can Rafa still find a way to win the only slam he found it unfavorable on his physical condition? No one knows the answer. I am sure Rafa also does not know the answer. He will try and that’s the best answer he can give as for the moment.

If fate dictates Rafa to lose before the finals, hopefully, the World Number One will lose to someone (Tomas Berdych) who deserves to win this Slam two weeks from now. If Rafa gets lucky and be in the finals, of course, I want him to face the luckiest man featured on the photo above.

In the women’s draw, Ivanovic’s draw seems too big for her.

Let’s face the truth, Ana’s playing style is not as strong as the Williams sisters. The way she thinks and the way she feels while on court is not as firm as Caroline Wozniacki, who won back-to-back USO warm-ups and the top seed for the first time in a Slam.

Yet, there’s one thing Ana has that anyone can’t have in tour. Luck.

This 2010, Ana has a number of matches where she gets very lucky and wins a match (notably the quarterfinals with Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in Brisbane and her first round in Cincinnati against the red-hot player in tour, Victoria Azarenka.

I don’t know if Ana’s ankle and mental power will stay on track and gets her a spot in the second, third or fourth round. If luck sides with this charismatic Serb, she can face the defending champion before the last eight, Kim Clijsters. Is this yay or ajde?

Ana Ivanovic: I Unconditionally Love You

August 13, 2010 (my time: about 12:17 am), Ana Ivanovic closes out her third round match against Russian’s Elena Vesnina in Western & Southern Financial Group Women’s Open in Cincinnati 6-0, 6-3. With this win, Ana does not only become a quarterfinalist in the tournament but she also hands me the most unforgettable gift for my 26th birthday. (Seeing Ana in person means I can die tomorrow, lol, just kidding)

The whole world knows 2010 is a total mess for Ana. She has not booked a single tournament final however, Ana still manages to win a number of memorable matches particularly in Brisbane, in Rome and her unexpected annihilation of Alisa Kleybanova in Stanford’s opener 3, 2. Ana also survived Victoria Azarenka’s test during the first round in Cincinnati. She was down by a set but fought hard to seal a convincing win in three sets (2-6 7-6(6) 6-2).

Last year, the same tournament, Ana gave away a match and was ousted by Hungarian’s Melinda Czink 6-7, 5-7 in the second round.

As of this writing, Ana Ivanovic is scheduled to face World No.114 Akgul Amanmuradova. The H2H between the two is 1-0 in favor of the French Open Champion. Should Ana win or should she lose, it is absolutely fine with me. To be a quarterfinalist in a WTA Premier Tournament is already a big blessing and I am completely satisfied with it.

AJDE ANA, just keep playing and I love you no matter what 🙂

Ana’s Summary of Match Statistics Against Elena Vesnina

1) 56% on First Serves

2) 59% Second Service Points Won

3) 100% Break Points Saved

4) Two Aces, Two Double Faults

5) 62% Total Points Won

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Another unforgettable win.

Novak Djokovic made in to the quarterfinals in Rogers Cup in Toronto by dismissing Victor Hanescu of Romania 6-3, 6-4. Nole is currently number two in the world and Rogers Cup is his first tournament in US Open Series. Statistics shows Nole capitalized in his first serve percentage (68%) and he’ll face Jeremy Chardy (France) the next round.

Rewinding back the time, Nole defended a tournament title for the first time in Dubai this 2010.