Year of the Field

[lacatch]

Based on how 2014 has started, I'm going to go out on a limb and predict that another "outsider" (like Stan did at AO) is going to win AT LEAST one other slam this year. Novak has had a very sluggish start for whatever reasons (wedding plans?), Fed is stronger but unlikely to prevail in 7 rounds, Nadal seems like he might be in for another year of physical problems (just a hunch) and Andy is making a slow comeback from injury.

 

[Front242]

I think we might see a new slam semi finalist or at best a finalist but really, even with the struggles of some of the top guys, who can you really see winning a slam other than the main choices? There are dangerous guys out there for sure but they're all way too inconsistent.

 

[brokenshoelace]

I don't know. Clay is a difficult surface for upsets to happen, and I think Rafa, Roger, Novak and Murray will be incredibly difficult to beat at the US Open. Wimbledon is the best chance for this to happen given that grass is a surface in which the margin for error is very low, and guys like Novak and Rafa are vulnerable there, Murray's form is questionable (for now...that might change come Wimbledon) and you never know with Fed.

 

[Front242]

Yup, Fed is more a lucky dip than the others. You can never tell what to expect from him. Given the muck fest he produced at Brisbane in the final against Hewitt I'm pretty happy how he's been playing since, but he could easily have a day like that at Wimbledon or wherever out of nowhere and then it's game over.

 

[Rose]

I think the "field" is finally at least gaining on the Top players, but I'm not sure if anyone else can pull off another Slam. Plus there is always the question that can never be answered. Could Stan have won the AO, if Rafa was healthy?