Some big hitters in town for this one including Tsonga, Cilic, Gulbis and Youzhny. Gulbis needs to win some matches at this point.
‘Deliciano’ Lopez played well in Barcelona even though he blew match points against Ferrer but he gets the softer half of the draw with Kohlschreiber. Lots of Germans here as you would expect, so a good chance for them to win a home title, while this could be the last time for German veterans like Tommy ‘Gun’ Haas and Michael Berrer.
The promising new crop include Cedrik Marcel Stebe, Tobias Kamke and Daniel Brands with Stebe my pick to make some noise.
Let’s break it down:
ATP Level: 250
Surface: Clay
Defending Champion: Nikolay ‘The Machine’ Davydenko
Sleeper: Mikhail Youzhny
My pick: Jo Tsonga
Belgrade
We return to the Serbian capital for the ‘Nole Open’, Djokovic’s home town event and run by the world number 1. However, he is not playing this year, which provides everyone else a chance. Only his brother Marko Djokovic is representing Serbia surprisingly.
Born-Dangerous, David Nalbandian, resumes his clay season and is looking to qualify directly for the Olympics by leap frogging fellow Argentines Carlos Berlocq and Juan Ignacio Chela in the rankings. Form players include the Italians Andreas Seppi and Fabio Fognini (finalist in Bucharest last week).
No Querry to defend, and this one is wide open. My pick is Pablo ‘Honey’ Andujar who while played poorly last week is deserving of the top seed.
ATP Level: 250
Surface: Clay
Defending Champion: Sam Querry
Sleeper: Guillermo Garcia-Lopez
My pick: Pablo Andujar
Estoril
A real dirt-fest here with the welcome return of Richard Gasquet who I pick here. However, the fear-hand of Juan Del Potro sits atop the draw like a Gatling gun ready to open fire. His movement on clay is the only question and a player like Wawrinka in his half could hijack that party.
Albert Montanes (winner twice in Estoril) played well last week and although in this 30s now, knows how to win on clay and should not be discounted. Robin Haase looks very dangerous this season and the glorious backhand of Gasquet is my bet to bring home the silverware.
ATP Level: 250
Surface: Clay
Defending Champion: Juan Martin Del Potro
Sleeper: Robin Haase
My pick: Richard Gasquet
Thanks for reading and check back next week for more tips, news and musings!