SportsNation Blog Archives
Rafael Nadal
Is this the real rivalry?
The Australian Open final will be the eighth Grand Slam in a row won by either Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal. It's the third final in a row that will pit them against each other.
Are we in a golden age of tennis?
Either Djokovic, Nadal or Roger Federer won 26 of the past 27 Grand Slam titles (the lone outlier being Juan Martin del Potro in the 2009 U.S. Open).
Does No. 1 have something to prove?
Djokovic had a year for the ages in 2011, winning three Grand Slam titles, but do you need to see a strong start to 2012 to believe he's the best?
Last year marked the first time since 2003 that Roger Federer wasn't a part of the final match at the U.S. Open. Was that the beginning of a trend, or a one-year break from normalcy? With Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal both nursing ailments, could the last chance be the best chance for Federer to continue his streak of years with at least one Grand Slam win? SN: Rank men's contenders
Will Novak Djokovic shrug off shoulder?
Novak Djokovic has lost just twice this season, but one came when he retired in the final in Cincinnati in his last Open tuneup, citing a right shoulder injury.
Roger Federer or Andy Murray?
Roger Federer recently turned 30, and tennis players rarely win Slams past that point. Then again, at least in recent times, neither do Brits like Andy Murray, who is still looking for a first Slam.
What about Andy Roddick?
Djokovic is ailing, Rafael Nadal has blisters on his feet and burned fingers, and Federer is old. Do we hear a door opening for No. 21 Andy Roddick?
What's the perfect match?
Djokovic is ranked No. 1, won the Australian Open and Wimbledon and has generally owned 2011. But is he the player you want to see in a marquee match?
Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd are listed as probable on the "SportsNation" TV injured list. Go ahead and start them on your fantasy team this week.
Argue the hot topics of the day and vote on the biggest stories from the world of sports. The show airs on ESPNEWS at 4 p.m. and ESPN2 at midnight ET.
Note: Broadcast voting results as of this afternoon (ET).
Who has the better fist pump?
Does Rafael Nadal, king of clay and thorn in Roger Federer's side, or Tiger Woods, rival of Ernie Els, have the better celebratory gesture?
How many games will the Cowboys win this season?
More than nine? Fewer than nine? Nine exactly? Emmitt Smith pegs the team at seven wins if the coach and QB don't improve.
Is Memphis a good fit for Allen Iverson?
A.I., using that newfangled Twitter service, said Wednesday that he's going to play for the Grizzlies. One fan predicted a team that averages zero assists.
Will Brett Favre start 16 regular-season games?
The Vikings were quick to toss their other QBs under the bus for him, and he's only one game from a tie for the NFL's longest games played streak.
Which team will win the Titans-Steelers game?
LenDale White is unapologetic for stomping on the Terrible Towel last season, which has Steelers fans frothing at the mouth.
What is "SportsNation" TV, and how do you make your voice heard? Read about the new ESPN show that features fan opinions with calls, tweets, polls, rankers and more.
It's a bad year to be a Russian woman or a man named Andy at the U.S. Open. Unfortunately, since Andy Murray's surprising fourth-round loss eliminated the last of either category, that maxim doesn't offer much insight on what's to come in the Big Apple. Luckily, SportsNation bloggers like bball4life578 are here to assist with predictions.
"The Cinderella story continued for the US teenage sensation in Oudin as she took out Nadia Petrova after in 3 sets after a horrible first set. Wozniacki did the same against Svetlana Kuznetsova the other night, so something's got to give. Watching Wozniacki, her second serve is very weak and she'll have to go against a crowd which will be 100 percent behind Oudin as well as a feisty opponent in Oudin. Count me in as a believer in Oudin. I think her Cinderella story continues into the finals." -- Read the full post.
Oudin's match is Wedneday's headliner, but it's not the only Open story. Rafael Nadal lost the first set of his fourth-round match but survived (with a fist pump that has Colin Cowherd and Michelle Beadle wondering if you think he's surpassed Tiger Woods on at least that count -- watch it here). And after fans in the stands backed Kim Clijsters against Venus Williams, will the comeback mom be the crowd favorite against Serena Williams?
- Phenomenon check? Only one in five voters plans to watch Oudin's quarterfinal.
- 48 percent of SN says neither Murray nor Dinara Safina will ever win a Grand Slam title.
- Chat: Live from the U.S. Open with Bonnie Ford and Greg Garber, 4 ET.
- Vote: Are you rooting for Serena Williams or Kim Clijsters in their semifinal?
“Kim Clijsters is BACK and she WILL BE THE 2009 OPEN CHAMP (hopefully against Oudin)..I would love to see Melanie win it all though, but I am not keeping my hopes up on her yet.. But Kim will beat Serena and take it all.
” -- 49erlakeshow
“Oudin has the potential to make it to the final, but the winner will be either Serena or Kim.
” -- fx772k1
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