Dec. 13, 2007 - PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

As the season has ended, TOPSPIN TOP PICKS lists the 7 players who has made 2007 tennis a good and entertaining sport

7. VENUS WILLIAMS. She proved herself as the classic champion. Her low ranking at the beginning of the season didn't hinder her from winning...and Wimbledon at that of all the majors.
6. NOVAK DJOKOVIC. Nole is not universally liked. However, no one can deny his talent and his wit. Amidst the controversies of fixed-matches, doping, poisoning...the Djoker is always there to keep tennis fun. His lethal backhand...his spot-on impersonations...his flirting with the Maria Sharapova...his shirtless victory celebrations...he is absolutely the most colorful persona in tennis now.
5. ANA IVANOVIC. Since 2005, people has perceived that it would only take a matter of time before this youngster break into the scene. But it turned out, 2006 was a letdown. 2007 was a different story however. Now ranked 4, it is nice to have a hot girl who is universally likable as well in the top 10. With the exit of Kim Clijsters, Ana is certainly the newest sweetheart.
4. MARIO ANCIC. He has been very unfortunate this season with injuries and illness. Who knows how he would have performed in French Open, Wimbledon and US Open if he was not sidelined. With the massive talent and passion, clinging on a top-60 ranking, who would not root for this guy? He will definitely start 2008 as both the underdog and the dark horse.
3. ROGER FEDERER. Number 1 for the 4th straight year...a looming recognition as the best of all time...chilling out with Pete Sampras and Tiger Woods...'nuff said.
2. JUSTINE HENIN. Hardenne or no Hardenne, everyone knows she is great. But 2007 is the year she establishes herself as the female counterpart of Federer. She dominated the womens singles. Representing a new era in WTA, the egoistic challenges of the Williams sisters proved futile against Justine.
1. DAVID FERRER. This Spaniard has been too modest with his self-deprecating claim of being the worst top-100 player ever. And with his successful run towards the end of the season, his top 5 ranking just became the sweetest. Subject to his performance next season, David Ferrer is arguably the "nice guy" version of an in-form Lleyton Hewitt.

And now...2007's letdowns:
Serena Williams - she's still a champion...but a bitter one
Marcos Baghdatis - his mobbing fans didn't help him this year
Fernando Gonzalez - has been one of the most inconsistent this year; tries too hard to impress the crowd
Martina Hingis - not a graceful exit for such an accomplished player

Oct. 22, 2007 - BEST REPERTOIRE

This week TOPSPIN TOP PICKS countdowns the players who possesses the variety of shots. These players are the ones who can achieve great success on any surface, and has all all weapons to use aganist the toughest of opponents.

7. FABRICE SANTORO - where players are called exhibitionists, he puts himself in a different level -- magician.
6. JUSTINE HENIN - with her little frame, you wouldn't think she can even hit an ace. But she does! And the groudstrokes to back it up are just on-the-spot! Just imagine what more she can do if she also has the Williams' ape-long limbs.
5. JUAN CARLOS FERRERO - if he can only cut down on his errors, he can be up there with the big guys. Apart from the groundstrokes, "The Mosquito" is believed to have one of the best lob shots.
4. AMELIE MAURESMO - Her backhand can do many things, whether backcourt or forecourt.
3. MARIO ANCIC - injuries and kissing diseases aside, Mario is supposed to be, well, Super Mario! He has one of the most well rounded games. Towering at 6'5", his serve seems like coming from up a tree. Then he can battle it out with big groundstrokes from the baseline. Yet, when he comes to the net, he has the gentlest of hands, and executes a neat volley.
2. ROGER FEDERER - people might find him boring, in as far as being overly predictable as the winner. However, the means is more important than the end. Beyond him writing his name in every historic list, it never gets old to watch him how specifically he dismantles his opponents. He makes amazing shots that are hard to imitate.
1. NOVAK DJOKOVIC - beyond the offcourt goofiness, what makes Nole great is his mind. He is like the class clown who is the library geek as well. Very few players know how to use their head when put up in tight matches. He has all sorts of shots at the back of his head, ready to be pulled up when the need arises. Whatever you throw at him, he's got answers.

Now for the letdowns. These players need to enrich their armory.
Jelena Jankovic - she has very sharp groundstrokes. If she can only pull off consistent great serves, she could be considered one very well-rounded player.
Andy Roddick - takes another beating in this week's countdown yet again. This guy has been as flat as his failed volleys are.

Sept. 19, 2007 - BEST RIVALRIES

Best Rivalries

This week, TOPSPIN TOP PICKS presents the top 7 match-ups of this generation. People have argued that this era is all Federer, hence a boring one. However, I believe that tennis is still as entertaining as ever with these rivalries.

7. FEDERER vs GASQUET - The young Frenchman is one of those who can put on a challenge agaisnt Roger. I wouldn't place Gasquet in the league of Monfils, Murray and Baghdatis. As far as defeating Federer is concerned, I think he belongs with Nadal and Djokovic. Besides, it is magnificent to see an exchange of the best one handed backhands in the tour.
6. SHARAPOVA vs IVANOVIC - They may not be Henin or Davenport, but they are a lot more than sorority girls. Okay, they're not the greatest players, but they're hot! What dude wouldn't enjoy watching these 2 play against each other?
5. SANTORO vs A top 10 player - This veteran, despite closing on the retirement age, still has the magic. Top 10 players can only wish to have his touch for lob shots, around the net post, between the legs, flying racket, over, up, and under almost just about anything in the court.
4. HENIN vs V.WILLIAMS - These 2 practically should be the number 1 and 2 women's player of the world. Henin is starting to become the Federer of WTA. Thus, it takes someone of Venus' calibre to give Henin a challenge. And this is a farcry from the match up between Henin and the younger (and bitter) Serena Williams.
3. DJOKOVIC vs FEDERER - Nole has been one of the few this year to defeat the undefeatable. It is so tempting to say that Batman finally found the Joker.
2. FEDERER vs NADAL - Who else has a lopsided head to head advantage over Federer? With Nadal, we can always be sure that Federer will be somewhat pushed, at least to differ from his other matches. And with consistent amazing improvements from Rafa on all surfaces, who knows how much longer can Federer own the hard and grass courts.
1. NADAL vs DJOKOVIC - I dare to say that the most exciting match up of this generation does not involve the world number 1. Instead, it's all about his 2 challengers. It's about who will rightfully inherit King Roger's throne. These 2 youngsters have the most potential to create a tenseful grandstand with brilliant exchange of all kinds of shots. Not to mention Nole's mainstay impersonation of Rafa (entertaining, but may start to get old already).

Now for the letdowns:
FEDERER vs RODDICK - so much media attention is always given to this, and yet, Roddick cannot stand up to the challenge, especially the pre-Connors days. Just look at their head to head now.
HENIN vs SERENA WILLIAMS - Win or lose, Serena's attitude is just annoying, 'nuff said.

Aug. 12, 2007 - THE FAST AND THE CURIOUS

Wonder who are the fastest movers on the courts? TopSPIN Top Picks lists them down. This week, let us make it quick.

7. Patty Schnyder - Has one of the best baseline coverage among the girls.
6. Fabrice Santoro - Brilliant anticipation of the ball; his speed is rare for his age.
5. Roger Federer - Watch the footwork...lithe as a gazelle.
4. Lleyton Hewitt - Marriage and child slowed him down...but still one of the fastest.
3. Janko Tipsarevic - Would run everything down. Smalls guys really are quicker movers.
2. Sebastien Grosjean - Again, smalls guys really are quicker movers.
1. Rafael Nadal - Was not called Raging Bull for nothing.

Now, who are the ones furthest from the list?
Maria Sharapova and Ana Ivanovic - those gorgeous long legs aren't as useful on the court as on the catwalk.
Marat Safin - Again, small guys really are quicker movers.

Let me guys know what you think...

July 28, 2007 - COUNTDOWN THE LINE

TOPSPIN TOP PICKS

TopSPIN Top Picks lists the 6 players who best executes the down-the-line (DTL) shot...a very potent weapon for baseline power rallies.

6. Richard Gasquet - His athleticism allows him to squeeze in brilliant DTLs on the run.

5. David Nalbandian - This Argentine has the best two-handed backhand down-the-line shot. His controlled swing, and strong non-dominant left hand, have been key to his surefire winners. Moreover, his DTLs are often disguised, leading the opponent caught at the wrong footing.

4. Justine Henin - Clearly, her backhand is majestic. Crosscourt...down the line...name it, she can hit it.

3. Ana Ivanovic - Since this girl rose to fame, thanks to Grand Slam and Tier I strong appearances, people grew fond of her cinderella "empty swimming pool" story. Tennis court scarcity in Serbia has led a young Ana to train on an empty swimming pool, the tile walls of which are too close to the playing area, so that hitting DTLs require so much more skill. This poor situation eventually paid off, as she now is able to finish off her opponents with effortless DTLs.

2. Rafael Nadal - No ball is not returnable for Rafa. He can cover all corners of the court, to the frustration of his opponents. And despite the hustling and dashing, trust that he can squeeze in a perfect DTL winner. How many times have we seen him executing a great running passing shot? In addition, he hits the balls with unbelievable amount of spin making the ball bounce off to a direction that bids farewell to the opponent.

1. Roger Federer - Who else? It never fails to amuse us watching him make fun of his opponents running from corner to corner. Though it's easiest to attribute his perfect DTL to his big yet controlled swings, a big role is actually played by his footwork. He is always early, gaining the ability to dictate ball direction.