previous - next - Back to Articles - News main - Home Source: www.usopen.org Day 11 Predictions by Matthew Cronin Wednesday, September 5, 2001 LLEYTON HEWITT (4) VS. ANDY RODDICK (18) There will be so much 'tude on court when these two dirty blonde teen bombers face off that Eminem may have to dress up like a Navy Seal in his next world tour to get the title of King Swagger back. Fiery is a gentle term when it comes to describing Hewitt, an atomic streak of white lightening who only sees the enemy when he quick steps on court. Any Aussie who nicknames himself against a fictional Philadelphia boxer named Rocky Balboa was born to scrap on the mean streets of New York,which is why Hewitt plays his best tennis here. Off-court, Roddick loves to be the center of attention, merrily launching himself into the middle of any situation he feels needs his larger-than-life personality. On-court, he believes his weaponry can carpet bomb any opponent if he is on, and he has certainly been focused during this fortnight. These two will scream, yell, grunt, pump their fists and sneak hard stares at each other. Roddick has the big serve, Lleyton the quick and thumping return. Hewitt is a better volleyer, but Roddick's forehand is more powerful. Give Hewitt the edge in the backhand department and don't forget that he is a more seasoned competitor. While I believe that that if you put these men on a back alley court right now and had them play 10 sets that Hewitt would win six, Roddick is a perfect fit for the show court at night while the nation is watching. Roddick in five. GUSTAVO KUERTEN (1) VS. YEVGENY KAFELNIKOV (7) Guga is so far into Kafelnikov's head that it would take the entire Red Army to pull him out of Yevgeny's ear. The Brazilian owns a 7-3 record against Kafelnikov, including their last three matches at Roland Garros, all quarterfinals during Guga's title runs. You think that Yevgeny doesn't realize that this is a quarterfinal and doesn't feel like he's again part of some Brazilian god's scheme to hand Kuerten his first hardcourt Slam title? Then you don't know analytical Yevgeny, who has all the trends figured out, especially those that negatively affect him. Kafelnikov has beaten Guga twice on hardcourts and plays him tough each time they match up, mostly because he knows it takes numerous forays into the net to take Guga out of his comfort zone. But Kafelnikov often chokes against Guga and there is no reason to believe that he won't do so again. Guga in four. |