Sharapovanovic's Page

Currently simmering at a plebeian #42, Gilles Simon seeks to rebound in 2011 from an injury-plagued season and reassert his status as a threat to the ATP elite. In response to a request from one of our readers, we discuss the Frenchman’s principal achievements thus far, trace the symptoms of his recent struggles, and outline several reasons to watch his deceptively understated game.While Simon first signaled his rise with a victory over reigning Australian Open champion Djokovic at the 2008…See More

Currently simmering at a plebeian #42, Gilles Simon seeks to rebound in 2011 from an injury-plagued season and reassert his status as a threat to the ATP elite. In response to a request from one of our readers, we discuss the Frenchman’s principal achievements thus far, trace the symptoms of his recent struggles, and outline several reasons to watch his deceptively understated game.While Simon first signaled his rise with a victory over reigning Australian Open champion Djokovic at the 2008…See More

Responding to a pre-US Open request, we discuss this year’s surprise sensation in the ATP. Will the Czech bounce, or is he here to stay? Seven topics concerning the world #7 are explored below…1) What was the turning point?Having trudged through years of underachievement, Berdych looked ready to crumble once more when he handed Federer a match point in Miami by missing a routine…See More

Responding to a pre-US Open request, we discuss this year’s surprise sensation in the ATP. Will the Czech bounce, or is he here to stay? Seven topics concerning the world #7 are explored below…1) What was the turning point?Having trudged through years of underachievement, Berdych looked ready to crumble once more when he handed Federer a match point in Miami by missing a routine…See More

Returning from our two-week “WTA vacation,” we were delighted to see that many of you were eagerly anticipating our next entry. Yet we were even more delighted to see that the Serbian Sleeping Beauty awakened in Cincinnati to overcome a recently revived Azarenka in a memorable three-set collision. Forcing herself to remain positive after a lackluster first set, Ivanovic steadied her emotions and mentally outlasted the blazing-tempered Belarussian, who twice failed to serve out the match. Two…See More

Returning from our two-week “WTA vacation,” we were delighted to see that many of you were eagerly anticipating our next entry. Yet we were even more delighted to see that the Serbian Sleeping Beauty awakened in Cincinnati to overcome a recently revived Azarenka in a memorable three-set collision. Forcing herself to remain positive after a lackluster first set, Ivanovic steadied her emotions and mentally outlasted the blazing-tempered Belarussian, who twice failed to serve out the match. Two…See More

After a prolonged sojourn in Europe, live tennis returns to California with tournaments in Stanford and San Diego. While we prepare to visit those consecutive events, we reflect upon a few of the most striking differences between the spectator experience on TV and at the venue. Be aware that these comments are highly subjective, so a different observer might leave a tournament with…See More

After a prolonged sojourn in Europe, live tennis returns to California with tournaments in Stanford and San Diego. While we prepare to visit those consecutive events, we reflect upon a few of the most striking differences between the spectator experience on TV and at the venue. Be aware that these comments are highly subjective, so a different observer might leave a tournament with…See More

For this latest article in our series of player profiles, we have chosen a different format from the “five strength, five weakness” structure that we previously favored. Discussing the towering American, we address eight key questions concerning his past, present, and future:1) What did we learn from the Marathon Match against Mahut?From a strictly technical and tactical perspective,…See More

Spearheaded by American #1 Roddick, the fledgling Atlanta event initiates the US Open Series today. Similar to the “Road to Roland Garros,” these eleven tournaments (six ATP, five WTA) attempt to serve the dual purpose of affording players ample preparation for the year’s final major while creating a crescendo of enthusiasm among the sport’s followers. Despite the attendant pomp and…See More