From: shun@cbnewsh.cb.att.com (shun.cheung)
Subject: Re: More '93 Predictions
Organization: AT&T
Date: Sat, 12 Dec 1992 00:43:40 GMT

In article <1992Dec11.154131.18982@jhunix.hcf.jhu.edu> stein_gs@jhunix.hcf.jhu.edu (Glenn S Stein) writes:
>In article <77992@hydra.gatech.EDU> cs30@prism.gatech.EDU (SMITH,CHRISTOPHER G) writes:

>> + Seles will stay #1 all year again.  Biggest threat from Graf will come
>>   early in the year.
>
>Since Steffi didn't play in Australia last year, she has tons of points to
>gain there, but not enough to over come Monica.  Your prediction is probably
>right.

Even though Graf wins the Australian Open, she won't have that many
points to gain (maybe 10). In any case, Seles and Graf will probably
win most if not all the Grand Slam titles and have a firm grip of the
top two ranking positions.

>> + Sabatini falls short at the French Open again.  Sanchez Vicario will
>>   overtake Sabatini in the rankings (#3) at least for a short while in
>>   1993.
>
>All Sabatini needs is a slow start in 1993 as she won 5 tourneys in the
>first four months of 1992.

Since there will again be a lot of tournaments in Gaby's favorite
locations early in the year, the chance is that she will do well again.
My only question is that how many people will predict Sabatini winning
the French Open. (I am NOT saying that Gaby has no chance; she is just
not the favorite IMO.) With her improved game and good consistency,
Sanchez has a very good chance of taking over the #3 spot.

>> + Watch for a Capriati turnaround by this Summer (probably still not ready
>>   to win a GS title in 1993 though).
>
>Well, I think she'll finally win one.

Eventually, maybe, but I doubt it very much in 1993. Capriati is in
danger of burning out. There was a long article about Capriati in the
NY Times in November, and I found what I read disturbing. Essentially,
Capriati's potential is greatly exaggerated and is a victim of all
the hype and pressure her receives.

>> + Candidates for top 10 entry this year: McNeil (for the 2nd time),
>>   Coetzer, Magdalena Maleeva.
>
>I think Pierce will make it at some point, too.  Your three have very good
>chances, too.

I doubt very much that McNeil, at 28, will improve much. She had a
great VS Championship but didn't play well even the week before that.
Pierce will most likely make it to the top 10. Anke Huber will probably
make it back to the top 10 and stay there next year.

>> + No specific predictions for the men's side.  However 1993 could provide
>>   some of the most exciting tennis in years, with Becker, Agassi,
>>   Stich, and Ivanisevic on the upswing, and Sampras, Edberg, and Courier
>>   hanging tough.

For Becker, Agassi and Stich, it really depends on their mental attitude.
Just compare Agassi's performance at the Davis Cup last week and at
the Grand Slam Cup this week; he was like two totally different players.
I happen to agree with Drysdale on this: Sampras and Stich, and I would
add Becker too, are the most talented players. But talent is only one of
several factors that determine a player's results. I hate to say this,
but Edberg will have more and more problems on his favorite fast surfaces
from the growing number of big servers.
-- 
-- Shun Cheung,    electronic: shun.cheung@att.com    voice: (908) 615-5135
     HR 1A-304, AT&T Bell Labs, 480 Red Hill Road, Middletown, NJ, 07748 USA
Newsgroups: rec.sport.tennis