Argentina Open ATP 250

[auto-pilot]

Folks should remember that only #1 is missing just one Masters (Cincy).
#2 and #3 both are missing two Masters each. #2 (MC and Rome) and #3 (Miami and Paris).

Wow, Federer has a mission impossible (Monte Carlo and Rome), mostly because of Rome (Nadal and Djokovic prioritize that big time because its just before Roland Garros).

Djokovic also a tough job (Cincy) because Nadal won Cincy in 2013 and will be livid that he was robbed of the chance to defend his title in 2014 (in Canada, Cincy and US Open), so I'll pencil in Nadal as the favorite at each of the US summer events.

Whereas I wouldn't be surprised if Nadal wins Miami.
Paris, unlikely but its a lottery because sometimes the guys who already qualified for the WTF will conserve themselves.

 

[Front242]

No way Nadal is the favourite at Canada and Cincy. Granted he won both last year but favourite, no.

 

[the AntiPusher]

No way Nadal is the favourite at Canada and Cincy. Granted he won both last year but favourite, no.

Rafa won the two master series titles in Cincy and Montreal 2013

 

[Kirijax]

No way Nadal is the favourite at Canada and Cincy. Granted he won both last year but favourite, no.

Rafa won the two master series titles in Cincy and Montreal 2013

I don't remember Nadal being the favorite for those tournaments either.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Regardless of being favorite at Rogers Cup or Cinncy.Rafa has won the Roger's Cup 3 times,2013,2008,2005...this surface suits his game,which alternatives year to year.

 

[Front242]

That surface definitely suits his game a lot better than Cincy. He did well to win there last year so kudos to him for that.

 

[auto-pilot]

I wish I still had the link but I remember reading Uncle Toni's interview and he said he and Nadal agreed to hit to Federer's forehand mostly in the Cincy match, and that they were proud of beating Federer at Cincy without targeting Federer's backhand.

 

[DarthFed]

Nadal has never been the favorite in a fast hard court event in his entire career. It won't happen this year either. 2010 Wimbledon might be the only fast court event Rafa was ever the topfavorite

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

If my memory is correct after Rafa won Rogers Cup and Cinncy in 2013 he was one of the favorites for the USO in 2013,if not a lot of journalists tipped him to win.

 

[DarthFed]

One of the favorites sure. Maybe after the draw he was considered favorite, anyways auto pilot/RGNadal2005 thinks Rafa is the favorite in every HC tourney.

 

[auto-pilot]

Nadal was the favorite to win 2013 US Open because he had won Canada (and beat Djokovic) and won Cincy (and beat Federer).
The draw was irrelevant, as nobody would expect Murray or Federer to beat him in a semi.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Quite frankly I had Novak the favorite at the US 2013,it still surprises me that Novak has won only one USO title,considering his results on hard courts.I must say I was pleasantly surprised Rafa won his 2nd USO title in 2013,regardless of the fact he won both leading HC titles leading up to the USO in 2013.

 

[auto-pilot]

Nadal looks so confident at the US Open, and because he plays more down-the-line shots than when he was younger, he is more suited to the US Open now more than ever.
Nadal can really cash-in if he can just stay healthy in August for the next few years.
I had him winning 4 or 5 US Opens, and he would most likely be on 3 (or 4) right now if he'd played the 2012 and 2014 US Open.
But his knees are not as big of a factor these days, so if he can avoid freak injuries then he'll win more US Opens.

 

[Front242]

He looked very confident in the first round in 2011 alright. He's a recap in case you missed it.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/usopen/8732338/US-Open-2011-Rafael-Nadal-overcomes-first-round-wobble-to-beat-Andrey-Golubev-in-straight-sets-at-Flushing-Meadows.html

 

[DarthFed]

Beating Djokovic in a 3rd set tiebreak didn't make him the favorite at the USO. Djokovic is better than Rafa on hard courts both overall and head to head. And the draw always matters. Rafa had a bye to the finals.

 

[the AntiPusher]

One of the favorites sure. Maybe after the draw he was considered favorite, anyways auto pilot/RGNadal2005 thinks Rafa is the favorite in every HC tourney.

auto pilot is aka RGNadal2005. are they one in the same? I always felt their posts are very similar

 

[auto-pilot]

Beating Djokovic in a 3rd set tiebreak didn't make him the favorite at the USO. Djokovic is better than Rafa on hard courts both overall and head to head. And the draw always matters. Rafa had a bye to the finals.

Well I can't recall what each member of the media predicted or the bookmakers, but I never believed Djokovic had the ability to beat down-the-line-Nadal at a slam.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

One of the favorites sure. Maybe after the draw he was considered favorite, anyways auto pilot/RGNadal2005 thinks Rafa is the favorite in every HC tourney.

auto pilot is aka RGNadal2005. are they one in the same? I always felt their posts are very similar

yes.

 

[DarthFed]

Beating Djokovic in a 3rd set tiebreak didn't make him the favorite at the USO. Djokovic is better than Rafa on hard courts both overall and head to head. And the draw always matters. Rafa had a bye to the finals.

Well I can't recall what each member of the media predicted or the bookmakers, but I never believed Djokovic had the ability to beat down-the-line-Nadal at a slam.

Yet Berdych, Kyrgios, Marcy Darcy and others have the ability to beat "down-the-line" Rafa at a slam. The way you talk you'd think Rafa is the best player in the world or something.

 

[Fiero425]

Beating Djokovic in a 3rd set tiebreak didn't make him the favorite at the USO. Djokovic is better than Rafa on hard courts both overall and head to head. And the draw always matters. Rafa had a bye to the finals.

Well I can't recall what each member of the media predicted or the bookmakers, but I never believed Djokovic had the ability to beat down-the-line-Nadal at a slam.

Yet Berdych, Kyrgios, Marcy Darcy and others have the ability to beat "down-the-line" Rafa at a slam. The way you talk you'd think Rafa is the best player in the world or something.

I will dismiss that notion to my dying breath! Rafa's had a few noteworthy seasons, a long string of wins at one major, and has a career Grand Slam, but that's about it with me! He can surpass Federer in the major's count, but I'll still argue Nadal's limitations; which are glaring BTW! Have you ever heard of ANY top player that has never defended a title off clay; EVER? The repeated, timed, and extended absences from the tour; supposed injuries! Again, other than Agassi, that just doesn't happen to a GOAT! I'd rather watch the beauty and fluidity of an artistic player over a grinder and IMO one of the ugliest games in history! Even Francois Durr's lift leg on her bunting serve wasn't as ugly looking as Rafa's game; the forehand and backhand, even though effective! He's just too hard to watch; even when he's floundering as he's done at Wimbledon of late! He offends my sensibilities I guess; being a fan and player of the game since the early 70's! :cover :nono :angel: :dodgy: