Men's Singles Champion: Novak Djokovic (1st seed, Serbia)
As the top seed and a former champion (2011), the Djoker would be a solid choice to take the title even if the draw gods had not smiled upon him. But smile they did. The rest of the Big Four - Andy Murray (2nd, UK), Roger Federer (3rd, Switzerland) and Rafael Nadal (5th, Spain) - are all on the other side of the draw. As such, Djokovic won't have to play any of them before the final. He is nowhere near the lock that Rafa is in Paris but he should be the man to beat.
Women's Singles Champion: Na Li (6th, China)
Because picking Serena Williams (1st, USA) is too easy right now. For starters, the Williams sisters own Wimbledon. Venus and Serena have each won the singles title five times and they've also won the doubles title together five times. Venus isn't playing this year so Serena isn't entered in the doubles draw which means she'll be well-rested. Plus, the 31-year-old is playing as well as she has in years, having just come off a title run at the French. Picking against her is crazy. I'm just the guy to do it...
Na Li is one of my favorites, a thoroughly charming player who has proven she can win Slams given the chance. Her title at Roland Garros in 2011 was one of the best stories in tennis of the past few years. If Williams stays hot, no one else stands a chance. If she falls, someone's gotta be there to pick up the pieces. Why not Li?
Did we see Nai Li in an earlier Squid post described as having an excellent sense of humor and grace?
ReplyDeleteYup, she's the one!
DeleteI meant Na.
DeleteI didn't even catch that.
DeleteI was a copy ed for two years. It was a great job. Was just thinking about a funnyish story from that time the other night.
DeleteShare, please!
Delete:) Okay, here goes.
DeleteColin Powell had visited the city and an article ran on the front page of the Borderland section calling him an important 'pubic figure.' This was just before I was hired. Well, after that, the desk was drilled to comb the Borderland front page for errors within an inch of their lives. The week I started working the graveyard was shortly after the snafu so, like I said, we were really being drilled on making sure the text of the articles was mortification-free.
Well, our eyeballs were practically bleeding one night when we put the paper, featuring critical articles on local education and standardized testing to bed. Next evening, we're called into a meeting. Head of the copy desk has been reamed utterly. The main headline contained a major misspelling of an acronym in enormous typeface: TASS Testing (instead of TAAS.)
Someone actually wrote that, and six copy eds -- some of us extremely proficient at what we do -- all missed it. In huge bold type across the center above the fold.
Ha! It's still better than "pubic figure."
DeletePubic figure was pre-tty bad.
DeleteI had a job as administrative assistant to a headhunter once upon a time. I had to scan a candidate's resume and "sunna cum laude" came out as something I'd rather not even type! I was very grateful to catch it before my boss saw it.
DeleteThank goodness! Now *that* would be mortifying.
DeleteLook, I'm gonna sign back up for the Coffeehouse. But if my posting and comments are all off on the timing around Friday, now you have some idea why (cross-blog comment.) And that's not even the real reason my time is going to be disrupted in a few days! It has to do with the birthdays of two siblings and my parents' 40th wedding anniversary. They are renewing their vows.
Anyway, here's to trying my best to get 'my house' in order!
Hooray! Glad to have you. Do what you need to do.
DeleteI agree with you on Serena. I love your dark horse pick. Na Li is one of my favorites, too. I love her post match interviews.
ReplyDeleteLi could walk away from tennis tomorrow, head held high. Like Serena, she is 31. There are younger players who probably have a better chance. But wouldn't it be great?
Delete