Wimbledon "Big 4" Ranking Projections

As Wimbledon gets underway, here is a look at the "Big 4" Ranking projections:

https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=0ArXMd59RqOuFdGUzNVRONjllSHN6RlY1Y1hnNmFudlE&hl=en&output=html

Highlights:
* Nadal will keep his #1 ranking no matter what happens in this tournament
* Although highly unlikely, Federer could drop to #3 if Djokovic outperforms him past the quarterfinal stage

Here are the projected quarterfinal match-ups:
Top half:
[1] Roger Federer (SUI) vs [7] Nikolay Davydenko (RUS)
[3] Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs [5] Andy Roddick (USA)

Bottom half:
[2] Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs [6] Robin Soderling (SWE)
[4] Andy Murray (GBR) vs [8] Fernando Verdasco (ESP)

Nadal's Perfect Clay Season: Back as French Open Champ, Back at No. 1

The biggest question heading into this year's clay season was whether or not Rafa Nadal can end his 11-month title drought and return to form following last year's debacle. It all started with his French Open fourth round shock exit, which in turn, uncovered his knee problems and personal issues among other things.

Nadal answered with a 22-0 record on clay, winning Monte Carlo Masters (def. Verdasco), Rome Masters (def. Ferrer), Madrid Masters (def. Federer), and now French Open #5 (def. Soderling). He also regained the No. 1 ranking he lost to Roger Federer almost one year ago.

Next up: Can Rafa match his 2008 perfect grass season results and extend his winning streak?

French Open Update: Men's Semifinals Preview

[5] R Soderling (SWE) vs [15] T Berdych (CZE)
Head-to-head: 4-3 (0-1 on clay)

Robin Soderling's quarterfinal victory over defending champion Roger Federer is the biggest story of the tournament so far. Not only did Soderling snap Federer's Grand Slam semifinal streak at 23, but he also prevented Federer from keeping the No. 1 ranking outright for at least the next couple of weeks, which would have been enough to eclipse Pete Sampras' all-time record weeks at No. 1.

Soderling's opponent is Tomas Berdych, whose best result this year is advancing to the final at the Miami Masters event by beating Soderling himself in the semis. This is Berdych's first semifinal appearance in a major.

[2] R Nadal (ESP) vs [22] J Melzer (AUT)
Head-to-head: 2-0 (1-0 on clay)

Rafael Nadal is two wins away from (1) a perfect clay-court season, (2) French Open title #5 and (3) regaining the #1 ranking. Sampras fans are rooting for Nadal to go all the way to preserve Pistol Pete's record weeks at No. 1, at least for the time being.

Nadal's opponent is fellow leftie Jurgen Melzer, who came back from two sets down to beat third seed Novak Djokovic in the quarters. Just like Berdych, this is Melzer's first semifinal appearance in a major.