ATP Picks: Dusseldorf and Nice

Power Horse Cup

This year, the Dusseldorf event avoids fan confusion by switching to a normal singles event. I can’t say I’m disappointed. As much as I like team events, the World Team Cup never drew the big players and the format was weak. Former World No. 3 Rainer Schuettler has played an active role in continuing the tournament in Düsseldorf. “We want to keep the tournament at this wonderful venue at all costs,” he said.

Let’s break it down:

ATP Level: 250

Surface: Outdoor Clay

Defending Champion: None

Nasty Floater: Dimitry Tursunov – Gets fellow Russian Davydenko first round and could pull off the upset.

Veteran Watch: Jarkko Nieminen – The Flying Finn shows no sign of slowing down and could face Tommy Haas in the 3rd round.

Youngbloods: Grigor ‘Baby Fed’ Dimitrov – He can be put into the category of ‘player to avoid’ now with recent form.

Slumping: Janko Tipsarevic – The Serb has enjoyed success in Dusseldorf in, winning a pair of World Team Championships titles for Serbia in 2009 and 2012. A good omen perhaps?

On Fire: Tommy ‘The Hitman’ Haas -  “I want to give it my best shot, I want to rock Düsseldorf and win the tournament.” Says it all.

My pick: Phillip Kohlschreiber – P.K loves to play in his home country and with his recent form looks favorite. He’ll potentially need to negotiate fellow German Haas in semi-final.

Did You Know? This tournament has changed from a team event to an ATP 250 singles event from 2013.

Open de Nice Côte d’Azur

What a place to play tennis! Tomas Berdych pulls after his exerts in Rome, so veteran Albert Montanes can experience the high life as ‘number 1′ seed. No Almagro either, so a good opportunity for some of the other players to get some silverware this week. French players always excel on home turf (or clay) and I don’t see that changing here. Gilles Simon is playing well, while Edouard Roger Vasselin and Gael ‘Force’ Monfils take wildcards and wildcards they are.

Let’s break it down:

ATP Level: 250

Surface: Outdoor Clay

Defending Champion: Nicolas Almagro – Two time defending champion takes a week off somewhere.

Nasty Floater: Pablo ‘Honey’ Andujar – Came back to form in Madrid and could cause trouble at the bottom of the draw. 

Veteran Watch: Lleyton ‘Rusty’ Hewitt – Gets a wildcard and isn’t too shabby on clay.

Youngbloods: Ricardas Berankis – The quietest of the new breed so far, he’s looking to breakthrough this season with some big wins. Gets Istomin 1st round.

Slumping: Quisner – John Isner and Sam Querry are no dirt devils, so you have to hope they enjoy spending time in France at least.

On Fire: Marcel Granollers – More like hot coals, but he’s found his clay feet of late and should make the semi-finals at least.

My pick: Gilles Simon – Whipped by Federer in Rome, but still playing well and one of the favorites in his home country.

Did You Know? Nice is one of five ATP World Tour events held in France, along with Marseille, Metz, Montpellier and Paris.

Thanks for reading and check back next week for more tips