Read Nick’s breakdown, and pick the match! Send in your prediction (with the score and the winner) to info@nickbollettieri.com and the person that is closest will receive a Bollettieri Prize Pack!!

Congratulations to Cory Billig for winning!!

Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA)

Novak Djokovic (SRB)
Height:  5’10”
Weight: 176 lbs.
D.O.B:  05/22/1987 (20 years old)
Turned Pro:  2003
Current Ranking: 3
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
2007 Titles: Adelaide, Miami, Estoril, Canada, and Vienna
2007 Australian Open: R16-4th Round
Grand Slam results: 2007 US Open finalist, 2007 French Open and Wimbledon semifinalist, and 2006 French Open quarterfinalist.

Djokovic comes into the finals riding a huge wave of confidence. He has yet to lose a set, and just did the unthinkable: beat Roger Federer in a Grand Slam. This is his second career Grand Slam final (lost to Federer in the 2007 US Open), but his first one where he will be the favorite.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA)
Height: 6’2”
Weight:  200 lbs.
D.O.B: 04/17/1985  (22 years old)
Turned Pro: 2004
Current Ranking: 38
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
2007 Titles: None
2007 Australian Open: 1st Round
Grand Slam results: Fourth-round at 2007 Wimbledon, Third-round at 2007 US Open

Tsonga has surprised everyone (including me) with his amazing run to the finals. He has defeated four players in the top fifteen (Murray, Gasquet, Youzhny, and Nadal) and looks every bit as comfortable as a seasoned veteran. This is his first career Grand Slam final, and once again he will be the underdog.

The Match-Up:

This is the first career meeting between these two very talented youngsters. This is also the first Men’s Grand Slam final since the 2005 French Open (Nadal vs. Puerta) where both players are looking to win their first Grand Slam title. Both players like to stand on or near the baseline, but are capable of coming into the net. Tsonga has served exceptionally well throughout the tournament, and has 29 more aces than Djokovic. If he is able to use his serve to win big points at crucial times, that will take a lot of pressure off of him.

What we don’t know is what is going on in each of their heads. Both players have had huge victories and must feel like they are destined to win this event. Tsonga, especially, must feel like he is in a storybook!

Here is who I give the edge to for each stroke:

Forehand – Tsonga has a very slight edge
Backhand – Djokovic
Volleys – Even
Serve – Tsonga
Movement – Tsonga
Mental Approach – Even

Djokovic has got to end this match quickly. If you watched the Federer/Djokovic match you saw that he was having some breathing problems, and no one really knew what was going on. If there are long rallies and the match goes five sets, this could be a factor. It is going to be a great match, and I cannot wait to see it!

Nick’s Pick – Djokovic in 3, either in 4, Tsonga 5

Here is how you are picking the match and some of your comments:

Djokovic - 66%

Tsonga - 33%


"Beat the conga for Tsonga!! You’ve got to love the run this kid is having he’s got enough emotion to electrify half of Australia! I wanted to write in earlier about Jo-Wil but like you Nick I was too afraid his energy would get the best of him. And then we have the coolest cube in the glass Novak Djokovic he took everything that Roger had and wrapped him up neatly with the rest of his unfortunate victims on the road to the finals. I’m going to go with the cool head over the hot hand with this one and take Novak in 4 sets (2-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-3). I also feel Tsonga is capable of nearly anything at this point even a possible repeat of the thrashing he gave Nadal either way I can’t wait to watch!!"