2016 Predictions

[mrzz]

herios wrote:
Some surprises could be around the corner. And it would be about time, to be honest. I am pointing to some new faces could show up in the latest stages of the big events, like Stan did just two years ago. A hint in that respect: Kyrgios just defeated Andy Murray in straight sets at Hopman Cup. He is not my favorite choice, but he could shake up the establishment.

Kyrgios already has shaken up the establishment. He’s proven himself a giant-killer, but he is still lacking in maturity to take it to the next level, and I’m not sure that it’ll happen this year. Otherwise, there should be some players making noise with upsets here and there, but I don’t see any one making the big break. Of anyone, maybe Nishikori or Kyrgios. I’ve given up on Dimitrov.

Just watched the Federer Dimitrov highlights. Helluva of a match, decided by details. If he makes that very difficult small last step, he is right up there.

 

As for Kyrgios, for me he is just another big server. He has the same chances that any other big server has.

 

[herios]

Moxie wrote:
<blockquote>
herios wrote:
Some surprises could be around the corner. And it would be about time, to be honest. I am pointing to some new faces could show up in the latest stages of the big events, like Stan did just two years ago. A hint in that respect: Kyrgios just defeated Andy Murray in straight sets at Hopman Cup. He is not my favorite choice, but he could shake up the establishment.

Kyrgios already has shaken up the establishment. He’s proven himself a giant-killer, but he is still lacking in maturity to take it to the next level, and I’m not sure that it’ll happen this year. Otherwise, there should be some players making noise with upsets here and there, but I don’t see any one making the big break. Of anyone, maybe Nishikori or Kyrgios. I’ve given up on Dimitrov.</blockquote>
Just watched the Federer Dimitrov highlights. Helluva of a match, decided by details. If he makes that very difficult small last step, he is right up there. As for Kyrgios, for me he is just another big server. He has the same chances that any other big server has.

What matters the most is the efficiency in obtaining the results. It does not matter that much how many weapons they have, rather how they use them. I also like Dimi a lot more than Kyrgios, but I am still unconvinced.

 

 

 

[EdbergsGhost]

Just watched the Federer Dimitrov highlights. Helluva of a match, decided by details. If he makes that very difficult small last step, he is right up there.

Dimitrov has more than the "small last step". Staying focused for a full year and not getting distracted with outside pursuits is a key. Finding a killer instinct is even more important. I'm not sure that is a learned behavior, either you have it or you do not.

 

[mrzz]

Well, we cannot be convinced by anyone outside the top 5. You have to judge "the rest" by their standards... among them, if I would buy some stock, I would buy Dimitrov's. But surely I am not convinced either. I got the point about the killer instinct and focus, but talent is the main thing that either you have or you don't.

Anyway, what I found different in Dimitrov's game was the forehand, it seems sharper and harder. He is hitting harder overall, if he can find consistency hitting like this...

I know, a lot of "ifs". But everyone out side the top 5 has a lot of them either. That's the landscape.

 

 

 

[Moxie]

@mrzz: Interesting note about the forehand.  I want to watch the highlights of that match with Roger.  However, I agree with @Edbergs Ghost that the "killer instinct" seems to be lacking.  (Notice who won the match you cited.  Fed is 34, after all.)  And as EG says, that may not be something you can learn.  Personally, I'd rather see Dimitrov as the next big thing than Kyrgios, but I've stopped holding my breath.  And there are a raft of other youngsters that may pass him by.

 

[mrzz]

@mrzz: Interesting note about the forehand. I want to watch the highlights of that match with Roger. However, I agree with @Edbergs Ghost that the “killer instinct” seems to be lacking. (Notice who won the match you cited. Fed is 34, after all.) And as EG says, that may not be something you can learn. Personally, I’d rather see Dimitrov as the next big thing than Kyrgios, but I’ve stopped holding my breath. And there are a raft of other youngsters that may pass him by.

I usually find myself "defending" players, posters and points of views which I don't particularly support: I am very far away from jumping in the Dimitrov bandwagon. I doubt anyone outside the current top 5 will be able to join the conversation (apart from something out of the blue a la Cilic) in the next two years. I rather think the current 5 will fade out eventually, due to age and age only.

I surely agree with the killer instinct, focus and etc. But, again, at least Dimitrov has the talent. Hard to see it in the others though.

If I had to choose someone to do some damage, I can only look to the Dimitrov-Raonic-Nishikori trio. But, as you mentioned, I am not holding my breath either. Neither to them and specially to none of the youngsters.

 

 

[ClayDeath]

We should make a prediction about how many matches Djokovic will lose in 2016.

who will fire the first shot?

 

 

[mrzz]

Ok, I'll bite: 2015 has ended, he will lose 9 matches at least, and one in Australia.

 

[EdbergsGhost]

We should make a prediction about how many matches Djokovic will lose in 2016.

who will fire the 2nd shot?

Novak loses 8, wins three of the four slams and gets another bronze at the Olympics.

 

[Denis]

 

Based on last year, I can see a loss here and there against Federer, Murray, Wawrinka, and perhaps an oddity of a Karlovic loss like last year. So around 6 maybe.

 

[herios]

I am pleased to see more upsets happening this season than in recent years.

Ferrrer twice, Tsonga, Federer, Nishikori all got defeated by lower ranked players. Hopefully the trend continues.

It will make things more exciting.

A special mentioning for Jack Sock. His wins back to back over Anderson and Ferrer are remarkable.  Top 20 for him just around the corner.

 

[Denis]

I am pleased to see more upsets happening this season than in recent years. Ferrrer twice, Tsonga, Federer, Nishikori all got defeated by lower ranked players. Hopefully the trend continues. It will make things more exciting. A special mentioning for Jack Sock. His wins back to back over Anderson and Ferrer are remarkable. Top 20 for him just around the corner.

I like Jack Sock. Unusual style for an American, enjoyed him play Rafa last year at RG.

 

[Moxie]

I like Jack Sock, too.  Seems like a good guy, and I like his game.  I don't know if anyone saw it, but I posted earlier the video of when he told Hewitt to challenge a serve called fault, which he saw good.  Rusty and the ump were totally laughing in disbelief.  I'd say he is definitely "trending."

 

[Billie]

I also like Sock, but I really hope he didn't over do it with tennis just before AO.  He had to retire in the Auckland final (flu like symptoms) so Roberto Bautista Agut won it.    Congratulations to RBA!