Jan Kodes of the Czech Republic, the 1973 Wimbledon champion and 1970-71 French Open champion, is the author of the new book JAN KODES: A JOURNEY TO GLORY FROM BEHIND THE IRON CURTAIN, a one-of-a-kind coffee table book featuring incredible, never-been-published historic photos. The book, featuring many anecdotes and stories about Czech tennis including Martina Navratilova, Ivan Lendl and others, is available for $35.96 on amazon.com here: http://www.amazon.com/Jan-Kodes-Journey-Behind-Curtain/dp/0942257685/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1280583452&sr=8-1 Jan also was a singles runner-up at the US Open in 1971 and in 1973.
The North American hard court events leading into the 2010 US Open has featured several different winners and, in particular, some great play from American Mardy Fish, especially his run to the final in Cincinnati. This year’s US Open will be a very interesting event and most players know quite well that because the tournament is played over two weeks and with best-of-five set matches, it is that much more difficult.
Rafael Nadal is more confident playing on clay and grass courts and I am not sure if he can go all the way to at the US Open this year. Novak Djokovic is losing his temper and concentration quickly. Andy Roddick loves the US Open and needs to defend his standing in the game badly. Thomas Berdych and Robin Soderling are not quite ready to a major title just yet I believe. This is very tough to say who will win, but if I would have to make a predicition, I would go for Roger Federer, since he is most mentally tough of all of the top players.
Andy Murray is playing very well and he could get to the finals if he stays cool and believes in himself. Can he stay mentally tough and take the pressure? If Roger is beaten somehow early in the tournament, then we would see great challenge from rest of the draw to fill the void and try to take the title. Can he lose? Maybe, but to who? To Berdych again as at Wimbledon? An upset loss by Federer would help to determine a new champion in Flushing Meadows.
Go out and get some tickets and we will see what happens over the next two weeks!
By Jan Kodes