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Thursday, September 2nd Cody's Picks for Day Five: Men's Side Harrison over Stakhovsky
Harrison loved being in the spotlight yesterday against Ljubicic. Hopefully he can turn it on and again play smart, high-percentage tennis. Harrison in four. Youzhny over Sela
Let's not forget that Youzhny made it all the way to the semis here in 2006. He enjoyed a comfortable win over Golubev in the first round. Sela will be a tough opponent, but not tough enough. Youzhny to advance. Wawrinka over Chela
Although Chela achieved a respectable four set win over Yen-Hsun Lu in the first round, I feel that his game is more of a threat on clay. Wawrinka is too steady and shouldn't have problems taming Chela's big forehand. Wawrinka in three. Chardy over Gimeno-Traver
Both posted quality, straight set wins in the first round. Chardy over an under-performing Gulbis. Gimeno-Traver over the very consistent Jarkko Nieminen. I feel like this match could go the distance with Chardy pulling it out in the end. Nadal over Istomin
Nadal should win this in straight sets. But, don't be surprised if Istomin makes Nadal work for every point. Istomin has huge groundstrokes and a really solid serve. If Istomin can handle the situation, the world's number one is going to have another tough day on the court. Ladies Side Hantuchova over Dementieva
I can't go against my girl. Hantuchova in two. Peer over Penneta
Neither were really tested in the first round. This should be a very entertaining match. 16 seed versus 19 seed. I'll pick the higher seed here. Peer in three. Ivanovic over Razzano
Ivanovic dominated Zheng in the second round, dropping only three games. Expect her to play well again tomorrow. A win here would potentially set up a meeting with Clijsters in the fourth round. Ivanovic in straight sets. Dulko over Pavlyuchenkova
Dulko caught a break by only having to play a set over the last couple of days in the extreme heat (besides doubles, practice, etc.. I know...). My point being that she should be the fresher of the two heading into the match. (copy + paste)Pavlyuchenkova has played quite well over the first two rounds. I like Dulko in three. Schiavone over Bondarenko
Two seeded players playing against eachother here. Number 6 versus 29. Bondarenko beat Oudin in round two. Let me rephrase that, Oudin beat herself most of the match, Bondarenko beat her when she needed to. Schiavone hasn't really been tested over the first two rounds. She should go through in two. Wednesday, September 1st Photos and Videos from Day Three at the Open:
Fish and Knowles Doubles Slow Motion Point |
Harrison Slow Motion Point |  Hantuchova Serving |  Fish and Knowles in doubles action on Court 7. |  Jankovic Serving. |  Querrey Serving. | Cody's Picks for Day Four: Men's Side Davydenko over Gasquet
This matchup provides one of the best one-handed backhands on the tour (Gasquet) playing against one of the best two-handed backhands on the tour (Davydenko). Both players are extremely fit and are capable of knocking off anybody on any given day. Head to head, each have a win with both matches being played back in 2005 and on clay. This should be a great match to watch. This one could go either way. It could last three sets and it could last five. I'll give the slight edge to Davydenko.
Fish over Cuevas
I will be shocked if in-form Fish does not win this match. Cuevas prefers clay and has had more success playing doubles than singles. Hopefully Fish will be able to use this match to locate the rhythym lacking in his first round play. If he drops a set it will be because his mind will be focused more on his next shirt change than the match at hand. Fish in three. Blake over Polansky
USA versus Canada. 108 in the world versus 205 in the world. The winner of this match will probably be rewarded with a third round meeting with Djokovic. Blake knows that his days on the tour and in the spotlight of NYC are numbered, he'll come out swinging. Blake in three. Clement over Schwank
This match is going to be a battle of who can style their hair the best. Check out their ATP mugshots http://www.atpworldtour.com/Players/Head-To-Head.aspx?pId=SE66&oId=C487 But seriously, Schwank enters the match with a higher ranking between the two. Clement hasn't recorded a main draw win since Wimbledon. Schwank hasn't won a match on a hard court since Miami (in which his opponent retired). So I guess this will be a monumental win for either player. I'll go with my gut here and pick Clement to win in a feisty four set match. Cilic over Nishikori
Is Nick Bollettieri seriously calling an upset with Nishikori taking out Cilic? Cilic is number 13 in the world, Nishikori is 147. Sure Cilic has had mixed results this summer, including two first round losses. But at least he has had direct acceptance into main draws. The only success that Nishikori has seen has come from Challenger events and qualies. Cilic in four.
Ladies Picks Sharapova over Benesova
As with any time that Sharapova steps on the court, I feel like the outcome of the match will come down to what Sharapova we are going to see on that particular day. If we get the intense, focused Sharapova, this will be a quick match. If we get the intense, unfocused Sharapova, things could get ugly. Benesova is a very consistent lefty, which will be trouble if Maria is not on. I don't see Sharapova leaving the tournament yet. Sharapova in three. Svonereva over Lisicki
Svonereva reached the fourth round last year and posted a convincing win over Kucova in the first round. Lisicki reached the second round a year ago and also won convincingly in the first round. Svonereva is the more in-form player at the moment. The seed will hold here. Svonereva in straight sets. Mattek-Sands over Petkovic
Oudin lost today so hopefully Mattek-Sands can become this year's story. Even though I'm not a fan of the tube socks, I am a fan of the USA. Mattek-Sands in three.
Kirilenko over Meusberger
Kirilenko is the higher seed and Meusberger's last name is way too similar to Musburger. I hate Brent Musburger. Kirilenko in two. Wozniacki over Chang
Chang has no chance. In fact, no one really has a chance against Wozniacki until Sharapova in the fourth round, maybe. Okay, time to watch Roddick-Tipsarevic and then Hard Knocks. Wozniacki in two. Tuesday, August 31st Photos and Videos from Day Two at the Open:
Lopez Slow Motion Point |
Fish Slow Motion Point |  Lopez heading out to the courts. |  Mardy during his five-setter. |  Kuznetsova in her win over Date Krumm. |  Verdasco against Fognini. | Cody's Picks for Day Three: Men's Side Sela over Malisse
Malisse comes in with the higher ranking between the two, however Sela beat Malisse back in July in LA. This will be a fun match to watch. Malisse has an awesome baseline game, but after seeing him in Toronto, I question his fitness. I think Sela will do it again in five. Simon over Young
Sure Donald Young is athletic, fast, and has a massive forehand, but his only positive results have come in challenger events this year. Simon reached the Final 8 in 2009 and has had a decent summer which includes a win over Roddick in Washington. I'll take Simon in three tight sets. Wawrinka over Kukushkin
Wawrinka hasn't had the greatest summer, but you have to realize how unkind the draw has been to him. In Washington, R32 loss to Nalbandian. In Toronto, R32 loss to Nadal. In Cincinnati, convincing R64 win over Almagro, followed by R32 lost to Benneteau. Wawrinka will be happy to play someone outside of the top 80. Wawrinka in three easy sets. Roddick over Tipsarevic
This will be a match decided by fitness. In what will positively be one of the hottest days the US Open has ever seen, Roddick will not only be battling Tipsarevic, but he will be battling his body as he has struggled with mono throughout the summer. Tipsarevic will also be struggling with his ankle that forced him to retire in Toronto. We'll see who has more heart, I'll take Andy in an exciting four sets.
Ljubicic over Harrison
One of the more interesting matches from the first round pits an extremely talented up-and-comer Harrison against the steady veteran Ljubicic. Harrison has been grinding and battling in qualies all summer long and will be desperate to make something of his chance in the main draw in NYC. However, Ljubicic will have a better game plan and will serve his way into the second round in three.
Ladies Picks Ivanovic over Zheng
Zheng is seeded 21 in the tournament but will not be able to overcome Ivanovic. I can't tell if this is a gut feeling or the fact that Christophe picking against Ivanovic in the first round makes me want to pick her just to spite him. Either way, Ivanovic has beautiful strokes and wins this in straight sets. Hantuchova over King
After Hantuchova beating Safina 3,4 and King having a bizarre first round score, I see Hantuchova going through to set up an interesting third round match against Dementieva. Dulko over Azarenka
My upset pick of the day. Both have serious talent on and off of the court. The 10 seed Azarenka is going to be a force in the next few years, but will struggle until she is able to develop a sound mental game. The crafty veteran Dulko will take out Vika in three. Oudin over Bondarenko
Why not? Oudin has shown that she is going to get the New York crowd behind her and leave everything on the court. Oudin in two.
Pavlyuchenkova over Mirza
Thank god for copy and paste. If I had to type Pavlyuchenkova more than once I probably would just pick Mirza. But seriously, I'd rather watch a game of Monopoly. Monday, August 30th Photos and Videos from Day One at the Open:
Roddick Slow Motion Point #1 |
Roddick Slow Motion Point #2 |  Bryan Bros doing an interview. |  Clijsters serving on Arthur Ashe from the player's box. |  Roddick serving on Arthur Ashe. |  Azarenaka warming up on Court 11. |
Christophe's Picks for Day Two: Men’s Picks
Blake over Vliegen
It has been a summer to forget for Blake, so maybe with a little help from the J Block, James can squeeze out a 4 set win. (Sentimental pick)
Istomin over Maximo Gonzales
I like this new kid Istomin, very clean strokes and is all business on the court. He reminds me of my good friend Ivan Lendl . Don’t know much about Maximo so Istomin in 3.
Robredo over Rosol
Former top 10 player Tommy Robredo should roll this guy. Watch Robredo if you can, another guy with a sweet one handed backhand. Robredo in 4.
Monaco over Polansky
Juan Monaco has dropped in the rankings recently but a major tournament might get him going again. Juan has a big game from the baseline. Monaco in 4.
Nalbandian over Rik De Voest
Nalbandian has made a surge in the rankings this summer and he is a dangerous floater in the draw. None of the top seeds want to face him. Look for him to make some noise and possibly make it to the quarters.
Ladies Picks
Maria Kirilenko over Barbora Zahlavova Strycova
I have always liked Kirilenko’s game and her opponent does not deserve to advance just because of the length of her last name. The draw score keeper is definitely rooting for Maria.
Sprem over Capra
Once called a big white turkey by Venus Williams, Sprem the veteran wins in straight sets.
Bethanie Mattek-Sands over Anabel Medina Garrigues
Anyone that has the guts to wear the outfits Bethanie wears should have the confidence to win a first round match. If you are a big fan of tube socks check out some of Bethanie’s outfits. Bethanie in 3.
Petrova over Petkovic
Nadia “I am strong like bull” Petrova should have no problem over Petkovic. German women have not done anything to write about since Steffi Graf.
Safarova over Paszek
I know nothing about either player, I am tired and need to get some dinner so picking the highest ranked player!
Sunday, August 29th
Christophe's Matches to Watch on Day One
Men's Side Hewitt (AUS) over Mathieu (FRA)
The former champ may drop a set but will prevail especially since the
Frenchman had not made any noise leading to the Open. Hewitt in 4.
Falla (COL) over Dent (USA)
The Colombian has had a good summer and i don't think Dent (the crowd
favorite) can serve and volley for three straight sets in 90 degree heat.
Falla in 4.
Gasquet (FRA) over Greul (GER)
The Frenchman has found some of his magic this summer and Greul has
only gone past the second round once. Gasquet in 3 as long as he does not
go out tonight and kiss too many random girls... Montanes (ESP) over Przysiezny (POL)
I love Montanes's Backhand; it is the one of the best looking one handed
backhands on tour and for a little guy he can rip it and know nothing
about his opponent! Montanes in 4. Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) over Tim Smyczek (USA)
Bellucci had a good spring but cooled off a bit this summer. He is still one of
the top up & coming young guns on the tour and Smyczek is a Challenger
level player. Bellucci in 3.
Women's Side Melanie Oudin (USA) over Olga Savchuk (UKR)
Last year's cinderella story has not been able sustain consistent results
all year. She is defending a lot of points plus playing on center court. This
might just help her get back on the right track. Don't know much about her
opponent but she is from the Ukraine and anyone from the former Soviet
Republic is a fighter. Oudin in 3. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) over Ana Ivanovic (SRB)
As much as I want to see Anna make a comeback I think she needs a shrink
more than a coach and players in the locker room know that she is a
headcase. I wish her well but the former number one player in the world
goes down in two.
Gisela Dulko (ARG) over Angelique Kerber (GER)
I don't know much about either player only that Cody thinks Gisela is the
hottest woman on tour and I don't mean her game! Gisela in three after a
long sweaty match! Flavia Pennetta (ITA) over Irina Falconi (USA)
The only Italian woman to break the top 10 in WTA history wins easily in two. Upset pick of the Day:
Dinara Safina (RUS) over Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) (sorry Cody)
The beauty and the beast. Safina finally puts it all together and gets her
form back unless she is taking advice from her brother. Safina in two
because if it's close she wont be able to keep it together!
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