Gainers and Losers – 2007 season.
Posted by tennisplanet on February 26, 2007
GAINERS:
Roger Federer (SUI): He will finally achieve, what everyone believes only he can, among the current crop: Win the calendar Grand Slam.
Andy Murray (GBR): Will enter the sacred top five in the world. His showing at the majors will reach the semi-final stratosphere. End the year with 5 titles. Current ATP ranking: 13.
Novak Djokovic (SRB): Break the top 10 barrier, and will qualify for the year-end championship at Shanghai. Quarter final or better at the majors. Current ATP ranking: 14.
Richard Gasquet (FRA): Will reach the top 10 in the world, with an impressive quarter-final showing at the majors. Winner of at least 3 titles and contender for top 8 for Shanghai. Current ATP ranking: 16.
Gael Monfils (FRA): Reach the top 20 in the world. Possibly couple of semi-final appearances at ATP Master series. Current ATP ranking: 51.
Sam Querrey (USA): The future of US tennis will break the top 25 mark with stellar performances on faster surfaces. Only 19 years old, at 6’6″, he has immense growth potential. Current ATP ranking: 92.
LOSERS:
Ivan Ljubicic (CRO): Now at 28 years, he will see his ATP ranking slip past the top 10 for good. With a late surge in his career that led him to the no. 3 ranking in the world, he will find it rough, going up against the younger, fresher legs consistently. Current ATP ranking: 8.
James Blake (USA): At 27 now, he had a break-out season last year, reaching the top 4 in the world. Relying heavily on his power game and perfect timing, may not come as easily as in past years. Wear and tear will manifest itself, in gradual slippage of the ranking, particularly as the year ends. May stay within the top ten but Shanghai is out. Current ATP ranking: 6.
Tommy Haas (GER): He is a lighter version of Blake, having gone through many heart-breaking obstacles and nagging injuries. He reached the no. 2 ranking in the world in 2002, but with age against him at 29, it will not be easy to sustain his top performance for the whole year. Current ATP ranking: 9.
Nikolay Davydenko (RUS): He has the most mileage on his wheels. No one on the tour comes even close. He played in 31 tournaments compared to 18 for Federer and 19 for Nadal, from last January to-date. Add to it, that he is almost 28 years old. Getting married recently may be a sign of things to come or not to come. Current ATP ranking: 3.
Fernando Gonzalez (CHI): Had an unbelievable season last year, particularly the second half, reaching the Australian Open final this year. It would be difficult to maintain that physical nature of his game, over a 12 month period, with age catching up to him at 27 years. Current ranking: 5.
David Nalbandian (ARG): Having reached the no. 3 ranking in the world in March, last year, his performance has tapered off. Not having one go-to shot in his arsenal, he relies more on his deft placement and angles, a combination not a perfect recipe for success in the current power game. May possibly retire after the season. Current ATP ranking: 10.
Projected top 10 for December, 2007.
1. R. Federer.
2. R. Nadal.
3. A. Murray.
4. N. Djokovic.
5. M. Baghdatis.
6. N. Davydenko.
7. T. Robredo.
8. T. Berdych.
9. R. Gasquet.
10. A. Roddick.
