Nalbandian’s comeback- Sao Paulo

After a tough 2012 which despite injuries [ he missed the last quarter of the season] still saw him defeat the likes of Simon, Tipsarevic, Tsonga, F.Mayer and Monaco David Nalbandian seems more or less back in track. He purposedly missed the Oz swing to prepare Davis Cup fully ( though he just played doubles he looked great w/Zeballos in defeating Kas/Kamke) and then flew to Sao Paulo, where he has reached the final in emphatic fashion ( he had a great win vs #11 Almagro in the QF’s, saving a matchpoint and winning in the 3rd set TB with a trademark BH winner return). He faces rusty Nadal on the F, so there’s definitely a chance. With an Argentina vs France tie coming up, this return of David is very needed for Argentina hopes of clinching the Davis Cup, which has been running away from them in the last few years ( they were runner-up in 2007, 2008 and 2011). I think that winning Davis Cup would be the perfect ending for Nalby’s career, so good luck David!

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga awful season vs Top-10’s.

– Throughout the course of the years, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has been regarded as one of the most dangerous players for the Top-5 out there, among with Soderling, Berdych or Nalbandian & Davydenko on their prime, but he was also tagged as a player who could lose to nearly anyone on a bad day. But this changed radically this season, as he has been awful vs Top-10 players all year long ( a record of 1/15!) , but his consistency vs lesser players has made him stay in the Top-10 ( he has only been defeated 10 times by a non Top-10 player). Now we’ll some stastics from him vs Top-10’s.

Overall record by season vs Top-10’s:

2012: 1/15 [ 6,25%].
2011: 10/13 [ 43,47%].
2010: 1/5 [ 16,66%].
2009: 5/5 [ 50%].
2008: 8/5 [ 61,53%]
2007: 0/3 [ 0%].
Previously to 2007: 1/1 [ 50%].

Overall record: 26/47 [ 35,61%].

Losses not to Top-10 players this season:

1- #26 Nishikori- Australian Open R4.
2- #74 Nalbandian- Indian Wells R4.
3- #11 Isner- Davis Cup QF’s.
4- #15 Simon- Monte-Carlo QF.
5- #134 Haas- Munich R2.
6- #20 Dolgopolov- Madrid R3.
7- #69 Dodig- Queens R3.
8- #47 Chardy- Toronto R2.
9- #52 Klizan- US Open R2.
10- #58 Malisse- Valencia R1.

Losses not to Top-10 players on his Top-20 seasons:

2011: 11.
2010: 11 ( though he missed half of the season).
2009: 15.
2008: 8 ( missed again half of the season).

Top-10 players he has lost this year to:

1. Djokovic- 5 times ( Masters Cup RR, Beijing F, Olympics QF, Roland Garros QF & Rome QF).
2- Berdych- 3 times ( Masters Cup RR, Stockholm F & Shangai QF).
3- Del Potro- 2 times ( Dubai QF & Marseille SF).
4- Murray- 2 times ( Masters Cup RR & Wimbledon SF).
5- Ferrer- 1 time ( Paris QF).
6- Nadal- 1 time ( Miami QF).
7- Isner- 1 time ( Winstom Salem SF).

Took two sets off Djokovic in RG ( even had two MP’s), a set off Berdych in Stockholm, a set off Murray in Wimbledon SF, a set off Nadal in Miami & a set off Isner in Winston Salem.

Also, he had the same wins on tour this year as in 2011, 55.

Let’s see how he fares vs Top-10 players on 2013, he has got a coach after nearly two years without one ( he hired Roger Rasheed, former coach of Hewitt & Monfils), I think we all wish the frenchman gets back to his best level, in which he was a real trouble for the Top-4’s.

Toronto: The Master of Opportunities

– Toronto seemed already like a very open Masters-1000 with the withdrawals of Federer, Nadal ( sidelined with knee injury since Wimbledon R2), Ferrer, Almagro, Verdasco, Roddick.., and with the early results of the tournament ( Tsonga, Del Potro, Simon and Nishikori were out early) the draw became very weak, and it got even worse when Murray withdrew before playing his R3 match vs Milos Raonic, seeded for the first time on a Masters 1000.

Stanislas Wawrinka Head to Head vs Top-3 players

– Stanislas Wawrinka is considered a very talented player ( decent serve, spectacular backhand and very solid forehand, apart from having decent volleys and movement, especially on clay). The only thing that keeps Stan off Top-10 is his mentality, and results vs Top-3 players, whom against he always has chances but never capitalizes. We will see his H2H vs current Top-3 players: