CAMELOT FANTASIES

Predictions by the Experts:

OK. We have a tale of two Jons.

May 14, 2014

 I believe it was a French philosopher who put it best: "You win at Roland Garros eight times in nine years and you're the favorite the 10th year -- no matter how shaky your results leading up."

I think for the men, you have to go with Nadal based on his track record alone. Add in his encouraging play in Madrid, Novak Djokovic's uncertain status and the fact that playing best-of-five sets helps the better player. Nadal is clearly vulnerable and beatable. ("There for the taking," is how one coach recently put it to me.) Be that as it may, there's a big gap between that and actually taking down the king.

As for the women, Serena Williams is similarly situated. I would take the field against her -- which is rare -- but she remains the favorite. Mine, anyway.

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/tennis/news/20140514/rafael-nadal-roger-federer-kei-nishikori-tennis-mailbag/#ixzz32imUZLGM


Jon Wertheim>INSIDE TENNIS
French Open men's seed report: Is this Djokovic's year? May 23, 2014

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/tennis/news/20140523/french-open-men-preview-rafael-nadal-roger-federer/#ixzz32ihSGO00

Singles picks
Semifinals: Rafael Nadal vs. Stan Wawrinka; Novak Djokovic vs. Tomas Berdych
Final: Rafael Nadal vs. Novak Djokovic
Winner: Novak Djokovic
Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/tennis/news/20140523/french-open-men-preview-rafael-nadal-roger-federer/#ixzz32ihJhd2T

I don't know about this prediction. Wertheim is taking Berdych to beat Federer on clay at the French Open? I don't think so.