2008 ATP Top 10 Predictions

2008 could present us with a virtual front row seat for so many historical moments:

...Roger Federer could surpass Pete Sampras to become the all-time slam king

...Novak Djokovic could become the first Serbian grand slam winner

...Rafael Nadal could finally topple a tired Federer from the #1 spot in the rankings

...Federer could finally grab that elusive Olympic Gold Medal that's so far eluded him, and might even have an outside shot at matching Steffi Graf's '88 Golden Slam by sweeping all four slams AND the the Olympics

...Andy Murray could succeed where Tim Henman so often failed

...Andy Roddick might actually defeat Federer in a big match. Once. And it could cause such a worldwide commotion that the continents will drift BACK and re-form as Rodinia (or Pannotia, if you prefer) once again, forcing everyone to either live together or die trying.



Hmmm... yeah, I know that last one isn't very likely. I mean, what are the odds that Roddick will actually beat Federer in a match that counts?

Here are my early predictions for the 2008's Top 10 male players:

1. Roger Federer, SUI... he showed signs of being human in 2007, but maybe that was just a way to lull his opponents into a false hope of possibly being competitive in '08.
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2. Novak Djokovic, SRB... Mr. Fantastic is poised to at least take down ONE of the big two.
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3. Rafael Nadal, ESP... will his body hold up?
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4. David Ferrer, ESP... if things fall just right, could he actually challenge Nadal to be the top Spaniard?
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5. Andy Murray... healthy, and ready to live up to the potential.
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6. Andy Roddick, USA... the current continental lineup is safe.
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7. James Blake, USA... in danger of becoming something of a tease.
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8. David Nalbandian, ARG... can he carry over his late '07 momentum?
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9. Nikolay Davydenko, RUS... bet on it! (Sorry, force of habit.)
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10. Mikhail Youzhny, RUS... if he could just harness his talent to become a consistent winner. Hmmm... or am I thinking about that OTHER Russian. Marat something or other?



DON'T FORGET... Fernando Gonzalez (he can't flame out again... right?), Tomas Berdych, Richard Gasquet
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LOOK OUT FOR... Juan Monaco
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WHO THE FREAK KNOWS?... Ivan Ljubicic & Marat Safin
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CURSED, OR REINVIGORATED... Radek Stepanek, king of trading in the old fiance for a newer, younger model
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AND THE CARNIVAL SIDESHOW MATCH EVERYONE WANTS TO SEE... Ivo Karlovic vs. John Isner (well, either that or a doubles match that includes these two along with the Rochus brothers)



For a second opinion, here's what Tennisrulz Head Honcho Pierre Cantin says:

1-Roger Federer, SUI
2-Rafael Nadal, ESP
3-Novak Djokovic, SRB
4-Andy Murray, GBR
5-David Ferrer, ESP
6-Tomas Berdych, CZE
7-Andy Roddick, USA
8-Nikolay Davydenko, RUS
9-Richard Gasquet, FRA
10-Mikhail Youzhny, RUS
WC-James Blake, USA


Of course, we could be wrong. Well, on pretty much everything except for Federer finishing at #1, of course.

All for now.

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