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TR.net
Olympic Picks: The MEN
10 medal-hungry men to watch in
Athens
By Matthew Cronin, TennisReporters.net
Fred Mullane/Camerawork USA |
| Guess who? Roger will likely meet Andy in the Olympic final. |
Roger
Federer: The Swiss is just two big wins in one short month
away from a golden career Slam. Playing in Europe, he's the big
favorite. He won't get tested until the quarters, when Nalbandian
or Hrbaty could be waiting. Guga, Moya, or Schuettler could give
him a tussle in the semis, but really, only the likes of Roddick
or Safin can stop him in the final.
Andy Roddick: Says an Olympic gold
is his No.1 dream. He'll have to play extremely well in a tough
draw that features Tommy Haas or Mario Ancic in R2, maybe Fernando
Gonzalez in R3, Safin or Grosjean in the quarters and Henman or
Ferrero in the semis. If he gets to the final, look for him to
come up with something new against nemesis Federer.
Marat Safin: Another breakthrough
has to be forthcoming for this talented Russian, who's mentally
tired again. Hopefully, gold medallist Kafelnikov called him and
breathed some fire in his ears.
Carlos Moya: The Spaniard is also
due for another breakthrough and if Federer gets upset early,
don't be surprised to see Moya destroy his one major-wonder label.
Juan Carlos Ferrero: The former
No. 1 has to heal at some point and although he hasn't been healthy
since early winter, he's due for a good two weeks. Of course,
he could also come down with a case of the mumps in her first
round match against Arazi.
Siggi Bucher |
| Good health will help Argentine Nalbandian. |
Tim Henman:
Although the feeling exists here that the Britain rolled all his
dice in Paris and London, he does have a good draw to the semis.
Should Henman get there, he'll be re-inspired.
Nicolas Massu: There will come a
time when this 10th-seed Chilean is worthy of being mentioned
in the same breath as Marcelo Rios, if he can make some serious
noise here. He could also get his clock cleaned by Guga in the
first round.
Seb Grosjean: If he can trip up
Safin and Roddick gets upset early, the smart Frenchman has a
very reasonable shot at the final.
David Nalbandian: The Argentine
is still far to young to be called chronically injured, but he
hasn't been truly healthy all year. However, he loves hard courts
and could find his level quickly.
Nicolas Kiefer: An excellent summer
for the all-courter. As long as he doesn't have to face nemesis
Roddick, he has an outside shot at the final.
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