ATP Picks: Barcelona and Bucharest

Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell

Staged at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona-1899, the oldest Spanish tennis club, the Barcelona Open BancSabadell, Trofeo Conde de Godo, celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2012. The ATP World Tour 500 clay-court tournament is one of the most important events in Spanish tennis and on the Barcelona social calendar.

Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell

Let’s break it down:

ATP Level: 500

Surface: Outdoor Clay

Defending Champion: Rafael Nadal - He has won his past 34 matches at the event and goes for title number 8.

Nasty Floater: Tommy Robredo – With his comeback win in Casablanca 2 weeks ago, Tommy’s in form and could face Dimitrov in round 2.

Veteran Watch: Albert Montanes – Another seasoned Spaniard, who’s shown some form. He gets a wildcard into the event.

Youngbloods: Ricardas Berankis – Of all the youngbloods, he’s taking his time to shine but of late is performing well.

Slumping: Bernard ‘Atomic’ Tomic – Verdasco gets a pass this week, so it goes to the unpredictable Aussie, although clay is clearly not his surface.

On Fire: Grigor Dimitrov – Fed 2.0 took a set off Nadal in Monte Carlo, which is like winning the tournament. He’s coming of age.

My pick: Rafael Nadal – His closest rival here on clay is David Ferrer, who he owns 17-4. You do the math.

Did You Know? Spaniards have won the past 10 editions, with Rafael Nadal lifting the trophy seven times in the past eight years.

Watch: Barcelona Behind the Scenes

BRD Nastase Tiriac Trophy

Located in south-east Romania, Bucharest is the nation’s capital city and industrial and commercial center. The ATP World Tour 250 tournament, held since 1993, changed its name to the BRD Nastase Tiriac Trophy in 2011 in honor of its two iconic ambassadors Ilie Nastase and Ion Tiriac.

3-time champion Gilles Simon at the BRD Nastase Tiriac Trophy

Let’s break it down:

ATP Level: 250

Surface: Outdoor Clay

Defending Champion: Gilles Simon – Has a 15-1 record and shooting for a 4th title here. He’s as good a Romanian here.

Nasty Floater: Jarkko Nieminen – The Flying Finn is a tough nut to crack for anyone and comes into the event with some big wins last week.

Veteran Watch: Victor Hanescu – Now 31, the clay specialist still has a great backhand and at his home event, will be fired up.

Youngbloods: David Goffin – Likes clay and gets a reasonable draw. He needs to put some wins together after a slow start.

Slumping: Janko Tipsarevic – Lost some confidence recently, so a 25o tournament might be the tonic for him to get some mojo back.

On Fire: Fabio Fognini – Could be tired after his run in Monte Carlo but he made everyone take notice last week.

My pick: Gilles Simon – A 4th title beckons for the deceptively effective Frenchman.

Did you Know: The Palace of the Parliament is the largest building in Europe and the second largest in the world.

Watch: Bucharest Uncovered

Thanks for reading and check back next week for more tips!