ATP Picks: Beijing and Tokyo

The Beijing Olympic Green Tennis Center is one tricked out venue featuring three main courts built to represent lotus flowers as an emblem for the Beijing Olympics. The field is pretty tricked out too but Djokovic withdrew last minute and Tsonga takes his place as number 1 seed. The ever unpredictable Monfils also retired with an injury.

Someone who has not won a title since 2009(!) is Tomas ‘T-Berd’ Berdych and this could be a good opportunity for him on his favorite indoor courts to prove a point if he can negotiate his opening match against Melzer. Cilic and Anderson, early 1st round winners are on a crash course in a bottom half stacked with quality indoor players such as Youzhny and Ljubicic.

Let’s break it down:

Surface: Outdoor Hard
Defending Champion: Novak Djokovic
Qualifiers to Watch: Philipp Kohlschreiber
Dark Horse: Tomas Berdych
My pick: Jo Tsonga

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The Japan Open is one of the oldest tournaments on the calendar and features a pretty loaded draw as well. Nadal returns to play home favorite Go Soeda with a tough quarter including last week’s winner in Malaysia Tipsarevic. Another home favorite Kei Nishikori could give Ferrer a fright. Finalist last week, Baghdatis, who incidentally holds a 3-1 winning record against Murray will be a good 1st rounder.

My man Nalbandian could meet Murray in the 3rd round and there is American interest with Fish and Bogomolov.

Let’s break it down:

Surface: Outdoor Hard
Defending Champion: Rafael Nadal
Qualifiers to Watch: Dudi Sela
Dark Horse: Milos Raonic
My pick: Rafael Nadal

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