We’re all over Europe and ‘Hotlanta’ starting with…
Hamburg
The tour sees a bigger event this week with the 500 level German Tennis Championships. Lots of players on a roll heading into this one with last week’s finalists Almagro, Cilic and Monaco all present.
Let’s break it down:
ATP Level: 500
Surface: Clay
Defending Champion: Gilles Simon – Fresh from fending off the WTA with his prize money comments, he has to fend off a tough field.
Nasty Floater: Tommy Robredo – Still no decent ranking, so he’s embedded in the draw. Could face Cilic 3rd round.
Veteran Watch: Tommy ‘Gun’ Haas - In Germany and highly dangerous.
Up and Coming: Tobias Kamke – Talented German could give Almagro a test in round 1.
Slumping: Nikolay Davydenko – The Machine used to dominate these types of tournaments. Now fighting to avoid Challengers.
On Fire: Marin Cilic – Makes the transition from grass to clay with ease.
My pick: Nicolas ‘Dirt Devil’ Almagro – It may not be a 250 event, but I think he squeaks it.
Did You Know? The Rothenbaum Tennis Center, which features a retractable roof stadium seating 13,200 spectators – making it the largest centre court in Germany.
Atlanta
Roddick returns to the source of his first ATP title and it’s a who’s who of US tennis. It’s gonna get hot in Georgia!
Let’s break it down:
ATP Level: 250
Surface: Outdoor Hard
Defending Champion: Mardy Fish – Still troubled by ilness but played well at Wimbledon. Going for a hat-rick of titles here.
Nasty Floater: Brian Baker – Who else right? The dream continues.
Veteran Watch: James ‘Breaking Back’ Blake – Get’s Harrison round 1 and will look to prove experience over youth.
Up and Coming: Marinko Matosevic – The young Aussie has some game and could cause Fish a fright in round 2.
Slumping: Donald Young – ‘Should’ play well in his home state. We’ll see.
On Fire: Rajeev ‘Dodge’ Ram – A great run at Newport, can the Sampras clone keep it going?
My pick: Andy Roddick – Memories of past glory should do it for Andy this week.
Did You Know? This tournament used to be played on clay.
Gstaad
The popular Swiss event packs quality with last week’s finalist all here including Ferrer, Granollers and Tipsarevic.
Let’s break it down:
ATP Level: 250
Surface: Outdoor Clay
Defending Champion: Marcel Granollers – Playing well but will have to defend against the best in Ferrer.
Nasty Floater: Ernests Gulbis – A born floater. His big win at Wimbledon is still fresh.
Veteran Watch: Feliciano ‘F-Lo- Lopez - Not having a good year but gets a decent draw.
Up and Coming: Grigor Dimitrov – Winning matches and with style. Remind you of anyone?
Slumping: Bernard ‘Atomic’ Tomic – A tough draw, so he will need to catch fire or he’s back on the couch.
On Fire: Janko ‘The Reader’ Tipsarevic – Won last week and gets a cupcake draw.
My pick: Stanislas Wawrinka - At home in Switzerland could get the juices flowing. He’s due a title on clay.
Did You Know? Roger Federer was presented with a cow during a homecoming celebration in 2003 after winning his first Wimbledon title.
Thanks for reading and check back next week for more picks and amusement!
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