“10s Whenever” Newsletter Vol. 101

Written by: Staff on 11th January 2014

"10s Whenever" Newsletter Vol. 101 |

Photo Credit: Jelena Vemic

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Australian Open 2014 Preview By Dusan Vemic

Dear Tennis Ballers,

If a tournament can be guessed and predicted by the first look at the Draw, well then, the Aussie Open, will be very exciting and maybe filled with surprises.

Right off the bat: Nadal vs. the young, talented, fresh, confident, hungry, home crowd favorite, always uncomfortable to play against… Bernard Tomic.

Harrison vs. Monfils: Although Monfils is really a favorite here, I would like to see someone someone count how many slide on the hard court these two natural defenders will make in this match. If there would be a category in the Guinness Book of World records for sliding on a hard court, this match would be (if it goes 5 sets) a contender! Whoever enjoy athletic grandeurs should definitely check this one out!

Seppi vs. Hewitt: Well, Hewitt… clear favorite? Not really! Even though he’s in top form, and has home crowd behind him, Seppi is anything but an easy opponent. Predicting a winner, I’ll leave to the experts. 5 sets to the one with fresher wheels.

Cilic vs. Granollers: This will be another fine match between two nice guys, with great skill, who are well respected in the tennis community. Another “grinder’s match.” I’m not sure why I mostly pick these matches to comment. Maybe because that is what tennis is these days, for the most part. More physical, technically sound from both wings. Full of long rallies, nice to watch and enjoy.

Haas vs. Garcia Lopes: If you have played tennis at any level, you know how tough it is to keep your form. You play a couple of weeks in a row, and you feel your tennis is coming along nicely, then, you have to skip a couple of scheduled sessions and you’re back to zero. Footwork is gone, you play want to play deep balls but they end up short, no 1st serves are going in… racquet feels heavy. Imagine doing that over and over again for 10 years. Tommy Haas has done just that, climbing to the tennis world’s top, over and over again. He sits at #12 on the ATP Rankings, at the respectable age of 36. Mucho respect for the guy. Keep it up Champ! For those of us “old” former tennis players and all those guys that wanted to be but, never took that scary and unpredictable leap onto the Pro Tour, we salute you.

Groth vs. Pospisil: For fans that want to see the fasted official serve in the world, go check this one up. Groth, a former WTT champion with the KC explorers, who has also tried up for AFL (Aussie Rules Football League- maybe the most physically demanding sport out there) playing a future top 10 player (in my opinion), Vasek Pospisil. That said, you know who I believe who should take the V, but I won’t say J

Gasquet v. Qualifier: For those that play one handed backhands, please watch “monsieur” Gasquet! You can learn a trick or two about how to win a point off that wing.

Sela vs. Nieminen: I really live this sport, because it gives everyone a chance to compete at the top level. And for those, who say you can’t be a top 30 player if you’re not over 6ft or way less than 170 pounds, just ask Dudi Sela. 5’9’ (174cm) and 155lbs (70 kg). Go Dudi! He has a tough draw though, playing Jarkko Nieminen. Great player and 100% the nicest person on the ATP tour. Period.

Tursunov vs. Russell: Mr. witty blogger vs. Mighty Mouse. Power vs. Speed (fun fun).

Djoker vs. Lacko: Nice guy Lacko, but GO Nole! J

Fun start of the Grand Slam season, 2014. Bring your popcorn, your sunscreen and your water…and enjoy. And for us watching the AO from our TV’s, well, all but sunscreen will do.