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Previewing the men Hard to pick against Sampras
Posted: Thursday June 22, 2000 12:46 PM
Sports Illustrated staff writer Jon Wertheim breaks down the men's draw at this year's Wimbledon, predicting how the seeds will fare and looking at some dark horses and intriguing opening matchups. Click here for the women's draw, and don't forget to check back Monday when Wertheim will begin filing daily reports from London. First off, let's raise a cup of Pimm's to the folks at the All England who have the good sense to depart from the rankings when making their seeding selections. Regardless of his standing in the points race, it simply makes no sense to award a seeding to Franco Squillari, who has won one career match at Wimbledon. (Just as it made no sense for Pete Sampras, a perennial Roland Garros flame-out, to be seeded second in Paris.) Yes, Wimby's seedings require some subjectivity; but in the end, this common-sense approach is best for tennis. 1. Pete Sampras: True, all good things must come to an end. But how can you bet against a player who has won six times since 1993? Barring injury -- no small caveat, of course -- it says here we see a four-Pete for tennis' newest affianced.
3. Magnus Norman: French Open finalist is a player for sure. But his shaky volleying and undistinguished serve will be his downfall here. If he gets by Mark Woodforde in his first match, his draw opens up. Still, he won't live up to his lofty seeding. By the way, think the tabloids will ask him about Martina Hingis? 4. Gustavo Kuerten: Sufficiently athletic and hard-hitting to win on grass, but he's due for a post-French letdown. Reached quarters last year -- and will be lucky to replicate that in 2000. 5. Yevgeny Kafelnikov: Still peeved about choke job in Paris. The good news is that he's positioned in the weakest quadrant of the draw and stands a fair chance of reaching the semis. 6. Cedric Pioline: No one's ever gone broke over- or underestimating the play of Pioline. After a disappointing French, one of the game's most athletic players should be ready for redemption on grass. 7. Lleyton Hewitt: Spirits have to be high after defeating Sampras at Queen's Club. Again, you like the athleticism and the fight in the dog, but you wonder about the impotent serve. Faces potentially tough first-round match against Jan-Michael Gambill. 8. Tim Henman: Hasn't lost before the quarters here since 1995. If he gets by Ivanisevic in Round 2, he still has to face Philippoussis and Agassi just to reach the semis. 9. Thomas Enqvist: Should be a better grass-court player than he is. A cushy draw should help him here. 10. Mark Philippoussis: Hasn't been the same player since last year's knee injury here against Sampras. Will go as far as the serve takes him -- which could, conceivably, be all the way to the final. 11. Richard Krajicek: If his knees are giving him any trouble, he'll be lucky to survive Wayne Arthurs in Round 2. 12. Pat Rafter: Generous seeding assumes shoulder is on the mend. The serve may still lack punch but exquisite volleys and athleticism could win him a few matches. 13. Nicolas Kiefer: Seems to have a mental hold over Tommy Haas, his first-round foe. Otherwise, he's nobody's grass-court impresario. 14. Greg Rusedski: Looking to end silent spring. The good news is that he drew Vince Spadea in the first round. 15. Marat Safin: Without question, he's ready for his close-up. But this isn't the place. 16. Nicolas Lapentti: Hard to believe there weren't other players more deserving of final seed. First-round matches to watchNicolas Kiefer-Tommy Haas: Two-tonic feud. Wayne Ferreira-Wayne Arthurs: Wayne will win. Karol Kucera-Juan Carlos Ferrero: If Kucera wins, can he beat Sampras after having eliminated Agassi in second round of French? Dangerous floatersWayne Arthurs: It's all about the serve. Goran Ivanisevic: For old-time's sake. Juan Carlos Ferrero: Spanish parvenu deserves better treatment after reaching French semis than to draw Sampras in Round 2. Max Mirnyi: The serve alone is worth two rounds. Andrei Medvedev: If only for his post-match ruminations. Predictions Semifinals: Sampras-Pioline, Kafelnikov-Philippoussis
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