Osaka Vs Kvitova and Nadal Vs Djokovic. Who’s the pick?

The finals are set! It’s Osaka Vs Kvitova and Nadal Vs Djokovic.

Petra Kvitova has not lost a set on the way to the final. She easily beat Amanda Anisimova, Ashleigh Barty and Danielle Collins in her last three rounds. She goes in as the favorite against Naomi Osaka who had to go 3 sets in 3 of her 6 matches. Though I expect Osaka to put up a good fight, this is Kvitova’s lose.

Nadal has been in beast mode, running over opponents like he does on clay. With an improved serve and a healthy body, he has looked very good. His win against Stefanos Tsitsipas, who has a game similar to Roger Federer, was impressive to say the least. Djokovic had a couple of tough matches but was in fantastic form in the semi final against Lucas Pouille. Djokovic appeard to have an injury in the earlier rounds but clarified in the post match interview after the semi final that he is fine. It should be an interesting final. Djokovic can counter Nadal’s offensive but I think Nadal is playing at such high level that he wins this one.

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Andy’s Reads – Kvitova’s Persistence and Tennis Algorithms

Here are my morning tennis reads: 

Amelie Mauresmo helps Lucas Pouille to Australian Open semis (BBC).

Two years an attack by a knife-wielding home intruder Petra Kvitova is in a grand slam final again (Channel News Asia).

Spanish player Pablo Carreño Busta has an epic meltdown on court after losing a five hour match (People)

At 45, Leander Paes is not slowing down (Eurosport).

Can you predict your opponent’s next shot? This algorithm can (Tech Xplore)

 

Continue ReadingAndy’s Reads – Kvitova’s Persistence and Tennis Algorithms