No Nadal, Can Any One Beat Federer? My Picks Say YES

(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Moments ago Rafeal Nadal announced he will not be physically able to play in the Wimbledon Championships this year. The injury would have stopped him from winning the tournament if he did play, but with him officially out the top of the bracket is completely open.

I never have and never will like Nadal, but he knew he was pretty badly hurt and should have pulled out a couple of days ago. The bracket is now in place and can not be adjusted. Luckily the two best players and everyone's pick for the final (Federer and Murray) are on different sides of the bracket. This was a tough decision for Nadal, but he should have announced after his loss to Lleyton Hewitt yesterday that he was out. I personally am happy as a tennis fan to have an event without out Nadal, but it hurts the appeal of the event and may in turn hurt the interest.

As i usually like to do I now give you all my picks for the Final 16 and on for this Grand Slam Event. First though It will be a Williams sisters final again on the Women's side with Serena taking the Championship.

Here is the way the Final 16 will look...

Lleyton Hewitt vs. 23 Radek Stepanek

-It will not be easy for Hewitt vs. Ginepri, who ever he gets in round 2 and Tursnov, but I like the way he is playing. Stepanek will surprise Ferrer after both roll to the Third round. In this match I like Lleyton to keep it going HEWITT in 4.

12 Nikolay Davydenko vs. 6 Andy Roddick

-This is the most likely matchup to happen in Round 4. Who will beat either of these two in the first three rounds. I believe Andy's ankle is OK and if it is he will roll to face Davydenko. I actually like Odesink to win 2 matches then fall to Andy. In this match if Andy is ok he survives, RODDICK in 5.

3 Andy Murray vs. 14 Marat Safin

-I love this match on paper and I am hoping to see it, but both have road blocks. Gulbis is a very good player but hasn't fired like he should have yet, Murray will get by him. Safin is looking at Rochus who is playing will now and Wawrinka who is the biggest Crapshot out there, but I like him to get. In the Match though the crowd pushes MURRAY on in 4.

10 Fernando Gonzalez vs. Nicolas Kiefer

- Weak part of the draw for me. Gonzo is playing well now and should roll. I love James Blake but he has to prove to me again how good he is. I think he falls to Gonzo in 4 in round 3. The bottom part is weak. Simon is a good player but i don't love his game. Kiefer is playing well and he is the most experienced here. In the match though GONZO rolls in 3.

5 Juan Martin Del Potro vs. 24 Tommy Haas

- I think the only player in the draw that could stop this from happening is Cilic. I like Marin but he is inconsistent and hasn't done much at Wimbledon. No one beats Del Potro early, but he does fall here to one of the hottest players in HAAS in 4.

15 Tommy Robredo vs. 28 Mardy Fish

- The biggest question here is how is Djokovic phsically and mentally? The next question is who can take advantage of him if he plays subpar? I think Mardy is ready he plays good on grass and he has to get those big serves going. If Novak plays good he should beat Mardy but I like the upset. Robredo should win the top half by default. I want to pick Mardy in the match but ROBREDO is playing well now so he wins in 5.

7 Fernando Verdasco vs. 9 Jo-Wilfred Tsonga

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