*Ed. Note: Peter Bodo is on vacation until August 16th. In his absence, we are proud to present commentary by the TW Tribe.
*What are the criteria for this Top 5 selection? Easy. Four things will get you out of the Young Armada:
- A big title (Masters Series and up)
- Beating the top two players on Tour.
- Blowing out 22 birthday candles.
- Being a surface specialist.
With these guidelines in mind, let's take a look at the kids who didn't make the cut this year:
Thomas "Big Bird" Berdych
(Age: 20, Rank: 14)
In just over a month, Big Bird will turn 21. The big-hitting Czech is already a top-20 UAHAS player, feared and respected by his peers (when The Fed was asked at Wimbledon which opponent he was weary to face, his answer was "Berdych"). And why wouldn't they? Berdych is tall, his footwork is impressive for his size, his forehand is top-10 ready, and he charges the net with authority. As an added bonus, Berdych plays well on all surfaces.
Thomas won Paris-Bercy last year and famously took out Federer in the Athens Olympics. Berdych also has a 2-1 head-to-head record over Nadal (a recent victim). Such credentials take him out of the young gang and straight into the list of U.S Open contenders.
Nicolás "Former RG Dark Horse" Almagro
(Age: 21, Rank: 48)
After winning Valencia and taking a set off Federer, Nicolas was every pundit's dark horse pick to win the French Open. However, Almagro fell to James Blake in the second round. As we all know, getting booted out of the French by an American isn't allowed.
To put it bluntly, Almagro is a year behind the rest of the Young Guns. He's still too impatient and tends to depend too much on his best stroke (forehand). Nicolas' backhand is still crude and, most important of all, he's only a threat on clay. The first half of the 2007 season will be the key for Almagro. Will he take off as a veritable clay specialist? Can he play on the hard stuff?
Mario "HertogenKing" Ancic
(Age: 22, Rank: 8)
Ancic is already 22. He's beaten the top two players and is an all-court threat. None of Mario's peers underestimate his polished game. 'Nuff said. My only quibble with Ancic is his inability to win anything other than s' Hertogenbosh.
The Kid in Capris
(Age: 20, Rank: 2)
Xisca's boyfriend deserves an entry all to himself, no?
*
So, let's cut the foreplay. Here's the Number One Young Gun destined for success at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (I'm never typing that again):
1. Marcos "The Bagman" Baghdatis
(Rank 11, Age: 21)
It may seem bizarre to include Baghdatis on this Young Guns list. After all, Marcos holds the highest rank and the best Grand Slam pedigree of the five. Here are three big reasons for his admission into the Countdown:
- Marcos just turned 21.
- Last year, he had to qualify at Basel.
- Of the five members of this youth posse, he's the only one that carries (somewhat inexplicably) a 0 next to "Career Titles".
Baghdatis is riding high after his tremendous performance at Wimbledon. Many pundits questioned the Bagman's athleticism after his horrific first round match against Alan Mackin. However, Marcos put his act together and made it all the way to the semifinals.
The Bagman has a no-frills attacking style which suits the hard stuff; he can hit winners from anywhere on court and his serve becomes more of a weapon on the fast blue of the Open. Marcos is happy to control a point with his forehand and his speed allows him to get good court positioning. Baghdatis just needs to be patient when he's going through a set-long funk and avoid being tentative at all costs.
It is also worth pointing out that this is the Bagman's third U.S Open. In 2004, his debut year, Marcos took a set off Federer. Due to his high ranking and eventual seed, Baghdatis will avoid the really big guns (Fed & Nadal) until the quarters of the Open. This can only be a good thing since Marcos holds a combined 0-5 record against the two players.
However, should Baggy arrive at the semis with his body intact and his confidence steaming, look out. Baghdatis has the game, the will, and the character to flourish in New York, a city that's certain to embrace him as he tears foes apart with those wonderful, clean strokes and that fan-friendly smile.
--Juan Jose