2006 Wimbledon Picks

As Paris belongs to Rafael Nadal, SW19 is partial to Roger Federer.

While the Spanish clay courter has improved his play on the grass (he took the opening set from Lleyton Hewitt in the London QF a week ago, then stopped the match with a sore shoulder tied at one set each), and has a favorable Wimbledon draw (he could send Andre Agassi out of what will be his final Wimbledon in the 3rd Round) that could easily allow him to reach the QF or, gulp, maybe even the SF, this tournament is Federer's to win. It has been for the past three years -- and he's won it all three times -- and it will be for the foreseeable future, too.

As of today, Pete Sampras and William Renshaw (geez, he played in the 1880s!!!) share the Wimbledon career men's titles mark with seven. They might not make it out of this decade with a share of the record.

Federer can gobble up more than half the ground to cover by winning his fourth straight crown at the All-England club two weeks from today.


*ROUND OF 16*
#1 Federer d. Arthurs (Q)
#7 Ancic d. #21 Monfils
#4 Nalbandian d. Malisse
#12 T.Johansson d. #8 Blake
#6 Hewitt d. #10 Gonzalez
#3 Roddick d. #18 Baghdatis
Lopez d. Kohlschreiber
#2 Nadal d. #17 Ginepri

...picking against Blake gives me a bit of a case of the willies here, but I'm doing it anyway.

*QUARTERFINALS*
#1 Federer d. #7 Ancic
#4 Nalbandian d. #12 T.Johansson
#6 Hewitt d. #3 Roddick
Lopez d. #2 Nadal

...and down goes Roddick (again)!

*SEMIFINALS*
#1 Federer d. #4 Nalbandian
#6 Hewitt d. Lopez

...consider Lopez my one SF wild card. He did make the QF at SW19 last year, so at least he has experience. But it's all predicated on him upsetting Ljbucic in the 1st Round, sort of like how my wild card last year was dependent on Ivo Karlovic knocking out Roddick in the 2nd Round. But Ivo was upset by Daniele Bracciali in the 1st Round, so...



*FINAL*
#1 Federer d. #6 Hewitt

...and 2006 makes four for Federer. Look out, Mr. Sampras -- you may have company at seven soon. And it makes one (more slam) for Agassi, who'll be joining soon-to-be-Newport bound Sampras in short order, as well... in the Tennis Hall of Fame.

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