Wimbledon brackets set!

[Jersey Devil]

Pete Sampras is ranked #1 on the mens' side, while Martina Hingis is #1 for the ladies.

For many of the other top rankings, visit this ESPN article -- http://espn.go.com/tennis/news/2001/0618/1215344.html

Any predictions as to who will win Wimbledon this year? Will Sampras repeat? Will Venus repeat? Will Capriati continue her magically major streak?

[Marc]

How interesting it is that neither Sampras nor Hingis has been playing well at all. Hingis hasn't won a grand slam since 1999 - remember, this is a person who used to win everything.

Just goes to show they determine seeds based on past experiences and history rather than current play. There was some controversey with this, and for good reason.

And guess wait, Kournikova *cough* a.k.a. Pournikova *cough* withdrew again. Personally, I think she is making enough off endorsements and modeling and she is putting tennis in the back seat. But hey, that's fine with me. :)

I have a feeling one of the top seeds will win it. I predict Sampras and Venus Williams. What about everyone else?

[Jersey Devil]

I see a repeat of last year ... though it'd be nice to see Capriati win a 3rd straight major title.

I can't wait to see how two of the youngsters, Roddick and Hewitt, do throughout the tournament. They have really been impressing me lately with everything they bring in their game.

[NickHammy]

I don't think Sampras can win it. I think that Agassi can pull it off in the men's. For the women's I think Capriati can continue the streak.

I'd watch out for Todd Martin and Andy Roddick.

[lmanchur.]

Originally posted by mjames
And guess wait, Kournikova ... withdrew again. Personally, I think she is making enough off endorsements and modeling and she is putting tennis in the back seat. But hey, that's fine with me. :)WHAT!?.... Are you telling me that Kournikova is actually a pro-tennis player!?!??????... wow!!.. you learn something NEW every day!!!!! :lol:

[Jersey Devil]

This just in: Anna Kournakova is HOT!

This also just in: I've won just as many tournaments recently as she has ... why aren't the cameras on ME?!?

[Clay]

Sampras is an easy choice to win again this year. He had a weak year last year, too, but managed to dominate on the grass. Plus this "slump" still has him ranked number 5 in the world. As he gets older, he can't slug it out with the younger guys, but the grass lets him stay up at the net so that he doesn't have too. I'd say his biggest threat is Henman in the quarters.
Hewitt and Agassi have a chance, too, but I don't think either one can stick it out for two weeks. Roddick might have a nice run at it if he has a good draw (I haven't looked yet).

On the women's side, Hingis will probably reach the semis and fall. She still can't figure out how to deal with the power of the Americans. I'd say Venus has the best shot, but it would be nice to see Capriati grab her third major. The women's side, as usual, is a 5 women race with Hingis, the Williamses, Capriati, and Davenport.

[Clay]

I'd watch out for Todd Martin and Andy Roddick.

Todd Martin?

Me too. I'd watch out if you are a fan, because he's not gonna last 2 rounds.

[NickHammy]

I wouldn't just give to Sampras yet. There a lot of people out there that can beat him, and he hasn't been very successful this year.

[coach tom]

First of all, the dirt ballers should stop cryin'. If you look at the latest draw sheet, the second half of
the top half of the draw is almost all clay courters. Wimbledon made it easy for them by putting them all in the same spot. But with that it looks like Safin will get to the quarters if his serve
holds up, and we have a chance for Andy Roddick to get at
least to the round of 16 before he faces Greg Rusedski.
Actually, based on the draw, Rusedski has a much better
chance at getting to the semis then my current fave,
Henman. Henman may have to get through Todd Martin and
Sampras just to get to the semis, and Schalken, Bjorkman
and Rosset are in his piece of the draw. Rafter, assuming
he's healthy, has the easiest trip to the semis, but will
have to get past Wayne Arthurs. Kafelnikov has no one
standing in his way to the quarters at all. Agassi may
have the second toughest time, with Grosjean, Ferreira,
Schuttler, Kiefer and Hewitt all in his quarter of the
draw. Lleyton Hewitt may actually make it to the quarters
this year if he holds true to form. England has a very
optimistic outlook, as there will most likely be an all
Brit semi and the other semi may very well be
Hewitt-Kafelnikov. If thats the case, I'm going on a limb
here but the final will be Henmen-Kafelnikov, with the
Russian bowing to the Englishman in four.

Serena, yes Serena has the easiest quarter of all of the
women. Remember, she's only seeded number 5. There is no
one in her quarter who woulld even be a contest on any
surface for her. In the quarters, she will most likely
face Jenny Cap, but Tina Pisnik or even Sandrine Testud
could challenge Jenhy on grass. Hingis, though seeded
one, has maybe the second hardest draw. She has the
possibility of meeting Chanda, Aranxta, Huber,
Dementieva and or Henin before the semis. Only Lindsay
Davenport has a tougher draw, having to possibly face
Schett, Dokic and Schnyder in her quarter then either
Clijsters, Shaughnessy, or Coetzer in the quarters. Venus
will most likely face Alexandra Stevenson in the round of
16 (not easy on grass), then Tauziat in the quarters
(again, no lock on grass) before possibly facing
Davenport in the semis (not an easy match for either
girl). Hell, in this tournament I would want to be seeded
5.

So, based on that, I'm going to change my predictions a
little. Hingis-Capriati in one semi,
Davenport-Shaughnessy and Venus-Tauziat in the quarters
in the other half. If I'm picking a winner here its the
Swiss Miss.

[Clay]

Good call on the clay courters. I think we are all tired of their whining.

I completely disagree with you on your men's picks, though. Henman is tough on grass, but his record against Sampras is pitiful (one win, none on grass). He barely even shows up when he has to play Sampras. I also think Martin and Rusedski are weak. If Roddick has a chance to meet Rusedski (and I think it is vey likely), he should beat him. Rusedski has been really inconsistent, and all Roddick needs is the confidence from winning a few rounds. Rafter has looked weak, too. His grass court season is off to a whimper with pathetic losses the last two weeks. He might turn it up, but I see him falling to Arthurs. I have the semis as Roddick-Sampras and Kafelnikov-Hewitt with Sampras and Hewitt advancing. Look for Sampras to avenge his Nottingham loss in four.

[coach tom]

Clay,

While great champs seem to pull it out when they needed, Pete's done. He'll go maybe to the quarters. As much as I would even want to see him go further, I think Pete has run his course and this year will not be his.

A-Rod looked good this week until he hit Levy. Harel is a great player, but not in a class with A-Rod. But he can play finesse with the best, and A-Rod and the Gen Y kids never learned to play this way. (A-Rod and the Sistas all learned at the Rick "Take no prisoners" Macci Tennnis Academy. To Macci power is everything. There is no touch, no finesse, no continental grip. I know a few of the lower guys in A-Rod's draw were watching Levy and will try and do the same, which in one of the rounds will most likely spell defeat for the young American. A-Rod has to get through Rusedski, which for an inexperienced grass player will be tough.

Henman looked amazing in his run through the Stella Artois. While he lost the final to Hewitt, I believe he accomplished what he wanted as a tune-up to Wimbledon. Tim was worried about how his new Slazenger Pro Braided would play and it did fine in his hand. While Pete has owned Tim in the past, this year Henman comes with an edge. Either way, the all-Brit semi is a clear possibility given the draw. What will be even more interesting is to see if Hewitt and Kafelnikov can actually make it through the draw like they should. If Yevgeny does, he has a legit shot at the final, and maybe this will be a breakout championship for him.

My picks will still be Tim H. and Martina H.

Don't forget to stock up on strawberries, cream and champagne!

[Kamikaze Kiel]

sampras has a chance thats for sure...but lets cross our fingers and hope that agasi will win it for the men.

[Clay]

tom,

I agree that Sampras is done, but then again I thought so last year, too and he pulled out Wimbledon. Anyway, we say done and he is still ranked number 5, with a final showing in Indian Wells and the semis last week. We forget that his season hasn't been that bad, because his clay court season was so awful. I think he still has a Wimbledon in him. At any rate he is a heavy favorite, and guys won't go in thinking they can beat him like they did on clay. He'll be confident

I agree that A-Rod will probably fall earlier than the semis, but I couldn't decide when, so I just pushed him through. Power is definitely the way to go at Wimbledon, so he will use that to his advantage. What will get him is inexperience on the surface. But, his confidence is building, and with two (clay court) tournament victories this year, I think he has the finesse to do it, too. It's Rusedski who is the tough argument for me. There is no consistency to him at all. And if Roddick's close loss to Levy at Nottingham is a problem for you, take a look at the defeat Johansson delivered to Rusedski.

I guess we will find out next week.

[Brandon]

My picks are Agassi and Capriati, complete random gueses, but both are definately capable of winning.

[NickHammy]

Good choices Brandon...:cheers: :nod:

[NickHammy]

Well, we have a rather HUGE upset in the first round, all of you that chose Hingis to win it for the women's side are wrong....

[Marc]

Yeah, really, what is up with Hingis? She was winning tournaments everytime I lookd a year or two again - now, she's in a real slump. What does everbody think of this? Surprising, I kind of like her.

[lmanchur.]

Originally posted by mjames
Yeah, really, what is up with Hingis? She was winning tournaments everytime I lookd a year or two again - now, she's in a real slump. What does everbody think of this? Surprising, I kind of like her. Uhhh.... am I misreading something.. or something??... "Surprising, I kind of like her." ???????????

...that makes zero sense.... it's like me saying, "My favorite team is the Ottawa Senators. It's surprising they didn't make it past the first round... I'm their number one fan!"

wait... I should tone it down... Marc said, "I kind of like her."................ "My third favorite hockey team is the Vancouver Cancusk . It's surprising they didn't make it past the NHL's best team in the playoffs. I kind of like them -- I'm their 12,582th fan."

:rolleyes:


...or did I just mis-understand something :)

[Marc]

Originally posted by SC-Lee
Uhhh.... am I misreading something.. or something??... "Surprising, I kind of like her." ???????????

...that makes zero sense.... it's like me saying, "My favorite team is the Ottawa Senators. It's surprising they didn't make it past the first round... I'm their number one fan!"

wait... I should tone it down... Marc said, "I kind of like her."................ "My third favorite hockey team is the Vancouver Cancusk . It's surprising they didn't make it past the NHL's best team in the playoffs. I kind of like them -- I'm their 12,582th fan."

:rolleyes:


...or did I just mis-understand something :)
Huh? :confused: I said I liked her as a tennis player, she's probably by favorite - has nothing to do with her slump lately.

[Clay]

Marc--

This slump that Hingis is going through has to do with the other players becoming too powerful. A few years ago, Hingis could win with finesse and smart play, but now with the Williams siters, Davenport, and Capriati, she is being overpowered and doesn't have much time to think about her shots. I think that's been bad for her confidence, too. She used to go in thinking she would win every tournament, but now she doesn't. Coming into Wimbledon, she said Capriati was the one to beat, which may be true, but she needs to think its her. Still, in this slump, Hingis has been the number one player because she is so consistent. She hasn't won a Grand Slam in 10 tries, but she has 3 final appearances, 4 semis, and a quarterfinal. And she still wins a ton of lower tournaments. No one will be able to pass up Hingis after Wimbledon, becasue no one has enough points. So even in her slump, she is way ahead of the pack.

[NickHammy]

Now Sampras is experiencing a very tough match. He has just lost the fourth set after being up 2 sets to none. Although he's up a break in the 5th. It's gonna be a long road to get to the finals for Pete.

[coach tom]

Ok boys (and girls) here's the poop...

First, Hingis is in a "slump" when it comes to winning slams. Ok, that's true, but she has made it further than the rest of the world lately (that means the Williams sistas) and had a final at Melbourne and came two matches shy at Roland Garros. While she does not have the power some other players do, she is the most well rounded of the women. That's why she's number one and stays so highly ranked.

Hingis, at least when she puts her hair down, can be quite cute. I know a lot of women who would kill to have her looks and body.

Pistol Pete almost lost to Cowan! While it was a good wakeup call for Pete, it should signal to everyone that when he meets Henman, or even Todd Martin, he's done. So long, fairwell, bye-bye.

Henman-Rusedski will be quite the semi. Its a toss up, but it goes to Timmy.

For the rest of you, those who pick Pete or laugh at my choices, I can only quote one of the all time greats,

"Are you SERIOUS?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!"

Coach

[Clay]

coach tom--

You seem to know so much about Matina and so little about Rusedski. I understand you had to protect your flawed pick (Hingis as Wimbledon champ) by proclaiming Martina number one, but cut your losses and realize that Rusedski is not the top 10 player he was a few years ago. Yes he likes the grass, but like won't win him matches.

[coach tom]

Rusedski is not the top 10 player he used to be. I say, so what!

Yes, Greg ain't the king he used to be, but since he has returned from last years injury crapped season he has been magnifique!

Greg even got deep into the French, quite a feat for him. He showed very well at the Stella Artois, and he is peaking now. He'll make it to the semi's. After that, only God knows.

Clay, I promise not to cry over Martina's quick exit any more. At least not this year...

[tennis4you]

Last I checked Greg was never king. :)

[lmanchur.]

Pete Sampras is OUT of Wimeldon.

ESPN.com says, "Roger Federer knocked Pete Sampras out of Wimbledon in a marathon 5-set match Monday. The Swiss teenager topped the defending champ 7-6 (7), 5-7, 6-4, 6-7 (2), 7-5."

[Marc]

Ouch, that's unfortunate for Pete. I thought he was really going to win this time. I was hoping he'd win and then retire.

[NickHammy]

Federer played amazing, he deserved the victory. Pete also played well, but it wasn't good enough. Hey, you can't win everytime.

[Clay]

Pete played well, but his passing shots were just too sloppy, especially with Federer playing (suprisingly) well at the net. I don't think Federer has too much of a shot at the championship, but he'll be a threat in the years to come. If this were any other year, Sampras would've had him. A real nice grass court match to watch, though.

[Marc]

How about this Serena Williams vs. Lindsey Davenport Wimbledom match? Should be a great match! Predictions? I'm rooting for Davenport.

[Clay]

Isn't it Serena vs. Capriati? I say Serena, as long as she can keep down her errors. I want to see an all Williams final. But the Grand Slam string for Capriati is tough to root against.

[Jersey Devil]

Luckily, I got a chance to watch the whole match.

Everything Sampras thru at Federer, he'd find some way to return. And vice-versa.

At one point in the 3rd or 4th set, there was a stat put on the screen that Federer had won 132 points to Sampras's 128. It was THAT close the whole match.

Still, Federer did what no other man at Wimbledon in 31 matches could do. Dethrone the King of Wimbledon.

[NickHammy]

Great match....Capriati wins it 6-7 (4), 7-5 6-3...

I hope Capriati can win it and continue this streak.

[Clay]

That match was depressing. Losing the match and a huge lead because of unforced errors. Serena is going to have to learn to keep them down if she wants to win another Grand Slam.

[NickHammy]

Originally posted by NickHammy
I don't think Sampras can win it. I think that Agassi can pull it off in the men's. For the women's I think Capriati can continue the streak.

Yeah! Agassi prevails in 4 sets against Escude, and Capriati is still alive after a scare against Serena...:)

[NickHammy]

Well for the women's final it's Venus vs. Henin

Guess I can still be right on Agassi...

[Clay]

The men's semis couldn't be better (unless Sampras were still in it trying to win his 8th).

Goran Ivanisevic: A 3-time finalist making one last run at his first Wimbledon title; coming in ranked 125 in the world and needing a wild card to enter.

Patrick Rafter: Maybe the best player never to win Wimbledon, and probably playing in his last Championships.

Andre Agassi: The last non-serve-volleyer to win Wimbledon. At 31, he'd be one of the oldest champions. With a win, he'd set the mark for longest time span between victories at 9 years (since 1992)

Tim Henman: Trying to be the first Brit to win since 1936, and he has a shot, reaching the quarters the last five years and the semis in 1998 and 1999, losing both to Sampras.

I chose Agassi and Henman. Goran will have to play amazingly again to beat Henman's serve-volley game. He's capable of beating Henman, but I don't think he has it left in him.
Agassi has said he likes the courts this year. The ball is bouncing higher and the courts are less worn. Rafter is going to have to play big and keep the ball away from Andre or risk being passed at the net.

Anyone else have any insight?

[Marc]

Just heard Agassi lost to Rafter in the men's semifinal! Here's the story from SportsLine (http://cbs.sportsline.com):
In a classic seesaw Wimbledon semifinal that has the drama of a championship final, Patrick Rafter outlasts Andre Agassi 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 8-6 on Friday to advance to Sunday's title match. The No. 3 seed, who has been hinting of retiring and might be playing in his final Wimbledon, will face either Goran Ivanisevic or Tim Henman for a chance at his first Wimbledon title and third Grand Slam crown.
Talk about a long a grueling match! Went all five sets, some great tennis there.

[NickHammy]

yeah, that was a tough match...also Henman leads Ivanisevic(sp?) 2 sets to 1 after a rain delay...

[Clay]

Tough break for Henman today. He hung with Goran for 2 sets and managed to eek out the 2nd set tie-break with some great volleys, then frustrated Ivanisevic who seemed to deconstruct in the 3rd.

Tim had the match, but didn't grab a break in the 4th before the rain. If Goran comes out slugging tomorrow, England won't be happy. But Henman came out to kill Martin after darkness suspend their 4th round match after being down 2 sets to one, so his chances don't look dismal, just a lot worse than they were before the rain.

Good luck Henman!

[NickHammy]

well..it's been raining a lot at Wimbledon and we should see the end of the men's semifinal of Henman vs. Ivanisevic...Ivanisevic is up 3-2 in the fifth set...tough match...
Then the women's final, and maybe even the men's final...It may be hard on the winner of the semifinal match b/c they would have to play twice in a day...so that kinda gives Rafter an advantage...

[Ross]

Now the men's final will be on Monday.

[NickHammy]

ok...they said they weren't sure at first when I was watching it

[lmanchur.]

Today, Venus Williams became the first African-American since 1957-1958 to successfully defend the Wimbeldon title.

Today, it was also the first time that I watched a COMPLETE tennis match... it was pretty good.. I was kinda rooting for the underdog, Henin, to win, but Venus just had too much power and control.

[Marc]

Congrats. Looking for to the men's final.

[tennis4you]

I am looking forward to this men's final!!! I think Goran has a chnace (very small one) and I don't think Henman woul dof had any chance. I am rooting fo Goran all the way! I feel bad that he has lost in 3 Wimbledon finals! Some of his interviews up to this point have been heart felt too, I feel for him!

he said he would rather win Wimbledon tomorrow and never play again rather than not win and keep playing. :)

[Ross]

The men's final will be on at 7am et on MSNBC (cable or satellite) for those who wondered.

[NickHammy]

I also would like to see Goran win it...he has been to a few grand slam finals, but couldn't come through...but it will be tough b/c Henman will have the croud...

[Marc]

I am pulling for Rafter. This is his last Wimbledon and I'd like to see win it. I like his opponent as an underdog, but I'm still pulling for Rafter.

[NickHammy]

I thought Rafter said this MAY be his last Wimbledon...i might be wrong...:uhoh:

[Ross]

I really don't think it will be, he still has good tennis in him.

[lmanchur.]

Flip a coin..... Heads is Rafter... Tails is the other guy.... whatever side the coin lands on, that's who I think will win... :D

Someone do that for me, please ;)

[NickHammy]

I got tails...

[Clay]

3 days to finish a match is ridiculous. And a tough break for Henman who definitely had the match in hand before the first rain delay. Goran lost his confidence and his serve in the 4th, spraying serves 5 feet long and volleys intop the net. But the rain delay allowed him to recollect himself. I guess that's how it goes, but its unfortunate. Thats not even a tennis match. There was no fatigue (I am convinced the fatigue would've weakened Goran's serve).

And Scott, I am not convinced Henman wouldn't have a shot against Rafter. If Henman plays his best, he is the best volleyer on the tour and Rafter's kick serve would've given him a better chance to break than he had against Goran...allowed him to volley more on Rafter's serve.

It would be a nice story to see Goran win, but Rafter will probably capitalize on Ivanisevic's nerves.

[NickHammy]

did anyone else see that sweet shot Goron made on the second day of play where he slipped and hit a passing shot on his knees...i couldn't believe it...:eek: :eek: :eek:

[Ross]

yeah, that was amazing.

[Ross]

What a final! That was the best match I have ever seen! I can't believe Ivanisevic won! And after 4 championship points, too!

[NickHammy]

That was a tough match...9-7 in the fifth...congrats to Ivanisevic:)

[lmanchur.]

Originally posted by NickHammy
That was a tough match...9-7 in the fifth...congrats to Ivanisevic:) Woo hoo.... that was the guy I "predicted" to win.. thanks, Nick!!!! good job!! :D

[Ross]

Originally posted by SC-Lee
Woo hoo.... that was the guy I "predicted" to win.. thanks, Nick!!!! good job!! :D

Lee, you didn't predict nothing. Nick just flipped a coin for you.

[Marc]

Congrats to Goran.
Goran Ivanisevic comes out of nowhere to become the first wild card to claim a Grand Slam title. The 29-year-old Croat, ranked No. 125 in the world after being in the top 10 for years, rides 27 aces to outlast third-seeded Patrick Rafter 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 2-6, 9-7 on Monday for the men's title at Wimbledon and his first Grand Slam. 'This is so great, to touch the trophy,' Ivanisevic says. 'I don't even care if I win another match in my life.'

[NickHammy]

Originally posted by SC-Lee
Woo hoo.... that was the guy I "predicted" to win.. thanks, Nick!!!! good job!! :D

No prob Lee...:rolleyes: :smokin:

[lmanchur.]

Originally posted by Ross in Big D
Lee, you didn't predict nothing. Nick just flipped a coin for you. It's called a JOKE, Ross!!!! ;)

get it?.... "ha ha"... "funny, funny"????


:lol:

[Ross]

I get it. I am telling you the facts.