re: The UNOFFICIAL 2014 French Open Thread

Nadal Quadrant:
Nadal/Thiem v. Mayer/Gabashvilli
v.
Zopp/Lajovic v. Sock/(Johnson/Lokoli)


Ferrer/Bolelli v. Seppi/Monaco
v.
Karlovic/Haider v. Michon/Anderson

Does anybody here scare Nadal? I know Ferrer beat him in Monte Carlo, but I don't see him doing that again, especially in a five set match. Nadal will get a hint of a test against Dominic Thiem, and and then I don't see him being pushed again until the quarter when he'll likely play Ferrer, and I see him beating Ferrer comfortably.

Prediction: Nadal beats Ferrer




Murray Quadrant (formerly Stan The Man Quadrant):
Garcia/Mannarino v. Lopez/Young
v.
Monfils/Struff v. Belluci/Fognini

v.

Gasquet/Berlocq v. Verdasco/Cuevas
v.
Kohlschreiber/Istomin v. Matosevic/Murray


I have no idea who comes out of this section. This is imho the strongest section. I think Fognini is most likely to come out of the top 8, and the bottom 8 is anybody's guess. Probably Murray is the favorite, but you never know with him. Kohlschreiber could take him out, and Verdasco could take him out if he advances.

I don't see anybody on here beating Nadal in the semis.

Prediction: Murray beats Fognini


The Federer Quadrant:
Berdy/Nedovy v. Paire/Bautista
v.
Robredo/Schepper v. Isner/Kukushkin

v.

Youzhny/Stepanek v. Bagnis/Gulbis
v.
Tursunov/Querrey v. Schwartzmann/Federer


Federer will get more of a test than he wants from Schwartzmann, who is a solid young dirtballer. The winner of that four will be the winner of the Federer/Schwartzmann match and will almost certainly play Gulbis. That could be a tough matchup for Fed as well. In the top half, I'd say it's almost a toss-up between Berdy and Bautista.

I think you have to consider Federer the favorite to come out of here. Or maybe it's Gulbis. He's been hot lately. I doubt Djokovic likes that as Fed has always given him more trouble than anybody. And Gulbis is sneaky as well.

Prediction:
Fed beats Berdy (I almost went with Gulbis here).


The Novak Quadrant:
Raonic/Vesely v. Gonzales/Simon
v.
Dolgo/Granollers v. Haase/Klizan

v.

Tsonga/Melzer v. Niem/Janowicz
v.
Cilic/Tamke v. Djokovic/Chardy

I think Cilic gives Djoker somewhat of a test, and maybe takes a set off him, but then Djoker prevails, and then prevails over Jo Willy in four sets as well. The only one in that top 8 that can challenge Djoker is Dolgo, and I'm not sure he'll come out of there. Could easily be Raonic, who played Djoker tight in Rome but won't do it again.


Prediction:
Novak beats Raonic

Semifinal prediction:
Nadal beats Murray in 3
Novak beats Fed in 5

Final preidction:
Novak beats Nadal in 5

I know, Novak v. Nadal: I lack imagination. But whaddaya gonna do?