Monte Carlo
A jewel in the ATP calendar crown this one with more glamor than a Vanity Fair oscar party. Plenty of players call this their home as well, so look to them to play well in comfortable surroundings.
Federer skips out to bring the glamor down a bit but everyone else is pretty much in attendance although Gael ‘Le Flake’ Monfils, Richard Gasquest and David Nalbandian don’t play as well.
I don’t see too many surprises. A Rafa-Nole final is what we all want to see and would set the tone for Rafa’s annual clay demolition. If Nole defeats Nadal on clay here, it would further damage Rafa’s confidence.
Bagel monster (7 so far) Carlos ‘The Jackal’ Berlocq, could be in doubt after he pulled from Casablanca, but he’s one to watch on clay this year. A great chance to Murray to go deep as I don’t see too much to worry about in his quarter of the draw and some nice 1st rounders to watch including the battle of the Croatian Ivans Dodig and Ljubicic and F-Lo squaring off against Wawrinka.
ATP Level: 1000
Surface: Outdoor Clay
My Unseeded Dangermen: Marcel Granollers, Carlos ‘The Jackal’ Berlocq
Defending Champion: Rafael Nadal
My pick: Novak Djokovic
Did You Know?: Players living in Monte Carlo (great tax rate!) include: Novak Djokovic, Marin Cilic, Tomas Berdych, Ivan Ljubicic, Robin Soderling, Radek Stepanek, Mischa Zverev, Sergi Bubka.
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