We are more than half way through the clay court campaign and this week we will be the last time we see the top players before they head to Paris for the second major of the year. At this stage of the season it seems that Rafa and Novak have picked up from where they left off last year when they were dominating grand slams before Rafa's injury. Novak scored a massive win in Monte Carlo where he interrupted Rafa's eight year reign in the principality but Nadal has come back strongly taking to titles in the last three weeks including the Masters 1000 title in Madrid. So can either of them get the win this week to take all the momentum to Roland Garros? Let's look at how the two can expected to perform this week.
Rafa Nadal has arguably been the best player on the tour this season. Since his comeback from a seven month lay off he has been in the final of every event he's taken part in and won five titles including two Masters 1000 titles. He leads the field in tour wins which is remarkable considering he didn't play until late February. He wasn't at his best for much of last week but we can attribute that to the altitude which usually causes him problems but his performance in the final was stunning. I expect him to beat Ferrer in this week's quarter final and set up a possible mouth watering clash with Djokovic in the semi finals.
Djokovic himself has been imperious this season. Winning the Australian Open and Monte Carlo crowns have been the highlights but a recent ankle injury has slightly hampered his form. A loss early to Grigor Dimitrov last week was out of character for the Serb but the extra time off will have allowed him more time to acclimatise himself with surroundings in Rome and be in top shape for this week. The draw hasn't been kind to him but that doesn't worry me and I think he will get over the in form Wawrinka and Tomas Berdych on his way to a semi finals.
Andy Murray has talked a good game lately but now is the time to show his true qualities. A few years back he lacked a lot of the qualities needed to reach the top. Now he lacks just one. Aggression. We see it at times playing lesser opponents on hard courts but when it really matters he is too passive. This makes no sense because when he plays aggressive he is right up there with Novak and Rafa. On clay he is way too defensive. Nobody wins the French Open slicing the ball more than they hit top spin. He got what was coming to him against Wawrinka in Monte Carlo and he paid for his lack of competitive playing time when Berdych beat him last week. The draw this week gives him a golden opportunity to reach his first clay court final but can he take advantage of it?
Roger Federer suffered an early loss to Kei Nishikori last week while trying to defend his Madrid title and needs a good week here to be considered a contender in Paris. Federer has taken a long break until now and will be hoping to be in top shape heading into the Summer where there are a lot of tournaments there for the taking, especially Wimbledon and the US Open. I think Roger will be in trouble all week here because there is danger in almost every round and for that reason I don't see him winning the title here.
There are three players in the field this week that I think can have huge seasons. At the start of the season I believed Tomas Berdych and Juan Martin Del Potro could be potential grand slam winners and I still think that. Both are playing some exceptional tennis this year and have the ability to compete with the very best at the best events especially Wimbledon and the US Open. Another man has joined them. Stanislas Wawrinka has been at his very best this season and made a big statement last week showing he can compete on clay too with a superb run to the final of Madrid.
All three have a chance to further their season with wins this week. Unfortunately for Wawrinka and Berdych they will have to do it the hard way to win this week being placed in Djokovic and Nadal's half but Del Potro has a real chance. He could face Murray in a quarter final and Federer in a semi final and I would expect him to win both of those matches. The problem for him could be an early meeting with Nicolas Almagro who might be able to spring a surprise. Almagro himself is capable of reaching a semi final or final this week but consistency can be a problem for the Spaniard.
Grigor Dimitrov has pushed Nadal close on clay and beaten Djokovic so could he challenge for the title this week? I don't think so. I've seen him have good weeks before and follow it up with early exits and I think we will again this week. I think Jo-Wilfried Tsonga could be a relatively surprising finalist this week. Clay has never been his strongest surface but he can still beat a lot of players on the dirt. I would give him a real chance of getting to a final this week.
Outside of those players mentioned I don't see anybody else winning this week. The winner will come from the top half semi final battle. I think Nadal and Djokovic will meet this week and battle it out for crucial momentum ahead of Roland Garros. The conditions favour Nadal in the sense that it will play as a traditional clay court with a bit of wind. However, the arena suits Novak. There isn't as much room for defending at the back of the court and that will allow Djokovic play aggressively and get quick points. I think the semi final meeting between these two will be sensational but I think Rafa will come through a tight three set match. In the final he could meet anyone but I'm going to say Del Potro defies his lack of recent match practice to make a final appearance.
Tuesday 14 May 2013
Friday 10 May 2013
Madrid Masters Quarter Finals
The first four quarter finals were previewed last night and here we have the final four. These matches are all very competitive and could go either way so let's see who we think will still be playing tomorrow.
Sara Errani vs Ekaterina Makarova
This one is very tricky to call. I think Errani is certainly the better clay court player but Makarova has been playing very well this week. She's beaten Azarenka and Bartoli and is playing very well. I like Makarova and I think she is a fantastic player but you've got to be so mentally tough to beat Errani on this surface. I'm not sure she will be able to live with the fiery Italian. Errani is someone who can win this tournament and I think she'll be around on semi final day. Errani in three.
Ana Ivanovic vs Angelique Kerber
Ivanovic is on the way up and is playing some super tennis right now. I really like the way she is playing and I don't think it will be long before she is competing for majors again. Kerber is having a good season results wise but her form is very up and down. Her match with Kuznetsova was such a huge win for her I think it could be the turning point in her season. How she won it I'll never know but she did and I'm hoping that's the point we'll look back at in a few months as the moment she turned her form around. She would relish a shot at Sharapova again tomorrow and I don't think Ivanovic will stand in the way of that. Kerber in two.
Stanislas Wawrinka vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
This one will go the distance. They've met four times and the recurring theme of this rivalry is final set deciders. Tsonga has the better of their record winning three times including a few weeks ago in Monte Carlo. I like Wawrinka a lot this week. He has been playing some super tennis and the way he dismantled Dimitrov in the final two sets yesterday was impressive. Wawrinka is a man who can disrupt the top five and with Federer gone he would certainly fancy his chances of making a final here. I think Wawrinka goes into this as the favourite and he is starting to show he can cope with the added pressure. Wawrinka in three.
Andy Murray vs Tomas Berdych
This one is going to be short and sweet in my opinion. Murray has serious problems on this surface and although he got away with it against Mayer and Simon, he will be in trouble against Berdych. Murray's movement isn't up to scratch on this clay. He struggles with sliding and is off balance hitting shots. The biggest problem he faces is he is far to defensive. You cannot win clay court matches against top players by constantly slicing the ball and looping it into the court. You have to hit the ball, you need top spin and depth. When you play Simon and Mayer on clay, if you aren't the aggressor you need to look at how you're playing the game. Berdych has been super this week and although clay might not be his favoured surface the altitude is helping him this week. He will employ the same tactics he did when he faced Murray at the US Open. He will attack the second serve and step inside the baseline to hit ground strokes to hurt Murray. All their meetings on clay have been comfortable and this will too. Berdych in two.
Sara Errani vs Ekaterina Makarova
This one is very tricky to call. I think Errani is certainly the better clay court player but Makarova has been playing very well this week. She's beaten Azarenka and Bartoli and is playing very well. I like Makarova and I think she is a fantastic player but you've got to be so mentally tough to beat Errani on this surface. I'm not sure she will be able to live with the fiery Italian. Errani is someone who can win this tournament and I think she'll be around on semi final day. Errani in three.
Ana Ivanovic vs Angelique Kerber
Ivanovic is on the way up and is playing some super tennis right now. I really like the way she is playing and I don't think it will be long before she is competing for majors again. Kerber is having a good season results wise but her form is very up and down. Her match with Kuznetsova was such a huge win for her I think it could be the turning point in her season. How she won it I'll never know but she did and I'm hoping that's the point we'll look back at in a few months as the moment she turned her form around. She would relish a shot at Sharapova again tomorrow and I don't think Ivanovic will stand in the way of that. Kerber in two.
Stanislas Wawrinka vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
This one will go the distance. They've met four times and the recurring theme of this rivalry is final set deciders. Tsonga has the better of their record winning three times including a few weeks ago in Monte Carlo. I like Wawrinka a lot this week. He has been playing some super tennis and the way he dismantled Dimitrov in the final two sets yesterday was impressive. Wawrinka is a man who can disrupt the top five and with Federer gone he would certainly fancy his chances of making a final here. I think Wawrinka goes into this as the favourite and he is starting to show he can cope with the added pressure. Wawrinka in three.
Andy Murray vs Tomas Berdych
This one is going to be short and sweet in my opinion. Murray has serious problems on this surface and although he got away with it against Mayer and Simon, he will be in trouble against Berdych. Murray's movement isn't up to scratch on this clay. He struggles with sliding and is off balance hitting shots. The biggest problem he faces is he is far to defensive. You cannot win clay court matches against top players by constantly slicing the ball and looping it into the court. You have to hit the ball, you need top spin and depth. When you play Simon and Mayer on clay, if you aren't the aggressor you need to look at how you're playing the game. Berdych has been super this week and although clay might not be his favoured surface the altitude is helping him this week. He will employ the same tactics he did when he faced Murray at the US Open. He will attack the second serve and step inside the baseline to hit ground strokes to hurt Murray. All their meetings on clay have been comfortable and this will too. Berdych in two.
Madrid Masters 1000 Quarter Finals
It's quarter final time in Madrid and we have eight thrilling matches to enjoy in Friday's action. We've been treated to some incredible tennis so far and although the big four haven't been firing on all cylinders, the supporting cast are certainly doing their bit to entertain the lively crowd. We're going to preview the first four matches and see who we think will be around on semi final day.
Rafael Nadal vs David Ferrer.
These two have had a long but one sided rivalry and on this surface, it's pretty simple to guess who will win this one. Not since 2004, their very first meeting, has Ferrer got the better of Nadal on clay. Since then they've met fourteen times and Rafa has won them all. In fact it's been five years since Ferrer won a set on clay against Rafa and when they met at the French Open last year he won just five games. Nadal is simply incredible on this surface with so few ever able to challenge him. Ferrer won an epic encounter with Tommy Haas today but Nadal is a beast he cannot tame. Rafa Nadal in two.
Serena Williams vs Anabel Medina Garrigues.
This one should be relatively straight forward for Serena given the huge power advantage she has over the Spaniard. Medina-Garrigues is no doubt a better clay court player than Serena but the problem she faces is trying to match Serena's groundstrokes and protecting her own serve. It's tough to break Serena so holding your own serve is crucial. Putting her under early pressure is key for Garrigues but I just don't see her having success. Serena in two.
Maria Sharapova vs Kaia Kanepi.
This one has potential to be an upset but if Maria is on form then it should be one she comes through. Kanepi has missed a lot of action this year and that worries me here. Sharapova has an aura about her that wins her a lot of matches but I don't think she is as unbeatable as she seems especially on clay. Her second serve is very poor and if she is under pressure her first serve goes too. Kanepi will try to expose that but I don't think she has it in her to successfully attack the Russian. I do think Sharapova is vulnerable on clay because of her movement and serve and somebody like but she should remain in the tournament for at least a day longer. Maria in two.
Kei Nishikori vs Pablo Andujar.
This match isn't hard to call. Nishikori is starting to show what he is made of and after beating Federer he isn't going to throw that away by losing to Andujar. The Spaniard is no pushover though. He knows his way around a clay court and can provide trouble. Like all the Spaniards he won't hand you a win, you have to go and win it. That will suit Nishikori, who likes to play an aggressive game. He handled the occasion very well against Roger today and I think he could be about to break the top ten. Winning tomorrow will be another step towards the top. Nishikori in two.
Rafael Nadal vs David Ferrer.
These two have had a long but one sided rivalry and on this surface, it's pretty simple to guess who will win this one. Not since 2004, their very first meeting, has Ferrer got the better of Nadal on clay. Since then they've met fourteen times and Rafa has won them all. In fact it's been five years since Ferrer won a set on clay against Rafa and when they met at the French Open last year he won just five games. Nadal is simply incredible on this surface with so few ever able to challenge him. Ferrer won an epic encounter with Tommy Haas today but Nadal is a beast he cannot tame. Rafa Nadal in two.
Serena Williams vs Anabel Medina Garrigues.
This one should be relatively straight forward for Serena given the huge power advantage she has over the Spaniard. Medina-Garrigues is no doubt a better clay court player than Serena but the problem she faces is trying to match Serena's groundstrokes and protecting her own serve. It's tough to break Serena so holding your own serve is crucial. Putting her under early pressure is key for Garrigues but I just don't see her having success. Serena in two.
Maria Sharapova vs Kaia Kanepi.
This one has potential to be an upset but if Maria is on form then it should be one she comes through. Kanepi has missed a lot of action this year and that worries me here. Sharapova has an aura about her that wins her a lot of matches but I don't think she is as unbeatable as she seems especially on clay. Her second serve is very poor and if she is under pressure her first serve goes too. Kanepi will try to expose that but I don't think she has it in her to successfully attack the Russian. I do think Sharapova is vulnerable on clay because of her movement and serve and somebody like but she should remain in the tournament for at least a day longer. Maria in two.
Kei Nishikori vs Pablo Andujar.
This match isn't hard to call. Nishikori is starting to show what he is made of and after beating Federer he isn't going to throw that away by losing to Andujar. The Spaniard is no pushover though. He knows his way around a clay court and can provide trouble. Like all the Spaniards he won't hand you a win, you have to go and win it. That will suit Nishikori, who likes to play an aggressive game. He handled the occasion very well against Roger today and I think he could be about to break the top ten. Winning tomorrow will be another step towards the top. Nishikori in two.
Thursday 9 May 2013
Madrid Masters: Three to Watch
There are three stand out games in Madrid today and all three could go either way. We're going to have a quick look at those games and see who we think will make it through.
Tommy Haas vs David Ferrer
This is a match I am really looking forward to. Ferrer is such a good clay court player but hasn't been at his best in recent weeks. He doesn't seem to have the confidence he usually does. On the other hand Tommy Haas is in great form. He's consistent and getting some very impressive wins. Nine times out of ten I would pick Ferrer to win this one in straight sets but this is the perfect time for Haas to meet Ferrer on clay. Haas won the title in Munich last week while Ferrer was mauled in the final of Oeiras. It usually takes something special to beat Ferrer on clay and Haas is something special. I certainly wouldn't want to miss this one. I'm going to go for the upset and say Haas to win a memorable match. Tommy Haas in three.
Andy Murray vs Gilles Simon
This one could be another very good match. Murray has a huge dominance in their head to head having won the last ten but Simon is playing some very good tennis right now while Murray isn't. He was pushed hard by Florian Mayer in his first match and looked very sluggish. A lot of commentators were commenting on how good Murray's slice backhand was. Well that's all well and good but you don't win on clay slicing the ball. If you're not the aggressor playing Mayer on clay then you really need to look at how you're playing. If Murray plays passively throughout the clay court campaign then he better be prepared for some beatings. Wawrinka exposed that game when he curshed Murray in Monte Carlo and I could see something similar happening against Berdych if he did beat Simon. If Simon plays aggressively he could win it but he often falls into a passive game himself against Murray. It will be interesting to watch and should provide good entertaining rallies. Andy Murray in three.
Stanislas Wawrinka vs Grigor Dimitrov
This one should be one of the best matches of the tournament. Dimitrov beat Djokovic in the last round prompting the premature predictions of him breaking the top ten this year and winning multiple majors. I am a huge fan of Dimitrov and always have been but winning one match against Djokovic doesn't change the mental and physical problems he has. This is still the man that suffered cramp after two hours of playing tennis in Monte Carlo. It's also the man who double faulted four times when serving for the set against Murray and done the same thing a week later against Djokovic. Wawrinka was in a similar position a few years back. He was being tipped for greatness but never had the consistency. This year seems to be a lot different. He is hitting the ball as well as anyone and he's doing it week in week out. I think he is in a far better position at the moment than Dimitrov to crack the top ten and compete in the latter stages of the majors. Dimitrov is one for the future and he should someday reach the top but this match will bring him back down to earth. Stanislas Wawrinka in two.
Tommy Haas vs David Ferrer
This is a match I am really looking forward to. Ferrer is such a good clay court player but hasn't been at his best in recent weeks. He doesn't seem to have the confidence he usually does. On the other hand Tommy Haas is in great form. He's consistent and getting some very impressive wins. Nine times out of ten I would pick Ferrer to win this one in straight sets but this is the perfect time for Haas to meet Ferrer on clay. Haas won the title in Munich last week while Ferrer was mauled in the final of Oeiras. It usually takes something special to beat Ferrer on clay and Haas is something special. I certainly wouldn't want to miss this one. I'm going to go for the upset and say Haas to win a memorable match. Tommy Haas in three.
Andy Murray vs Gilles Simon
This one could be another very good match. Murray has a huge dominance in their head to head having won the last ten but Simon is playing some very good tennis right now while Murray isn't. He was pushed hard by Florian Mayer in his first match and looked very sluggish. A lot of commentators were commenting on how good Murray's slice backhand was. Well that's all well and good but you don't win on clay slicing the ball. If you're not the aggressor playing Mayer on clay then you really need to look at how you're playing. If Murray plays passively throughout the clay court campaign then he better be prepared for some beatings. Wawrinka exposed that game when he curshed Murray in Monte Carlo and I could see something similar happening against Berdych if he did beat Simon. If Simon plays aggressively he could win it but he often falls into a passive game himself against Murray. It will be interesting to watch and should provide good entertaining rallies. Andy Murray in three.
Stanislas Wawrinka vs Grigor Dimitrov
This one should be one of the best matches of the tournament. Dimitrov beat Djokovic in the last round prompting the premature predictions of him breaking the top ten this year and winning multiple majors. I am a huge fan of Dimitrov and always have been but winning one match against Djokovic doesn't change the mental and physical problems he has. This is still the man that suffered cramp after two hours of playing tennis in Monte Carlo. It's also the man who double faulted four times when serving for the set against Murray and done the same thing a week later against Djokovic. Wawrinka was in a similar position a few years back. He was being tipped for greatness but never had the consistency. This year seems to be a lot different. He is hitting the ball as well as anyone and he's doing it week in week out. I think he is in a far better position at the moment than Dimitrov to crack the top ten and compete in the latter stages of the majors. Dimitrov is one for the future and he should someday reach the top but this match will bring him back down to earth. Stanislas Wawrinka in two.
Madrid Masters 1000: Thursday
Action is underway in Madrid today but there are still a number of games left to go and we're here to have a look at some of them and see who can expect a quarter final spot.
Rafa Nadal and Mikhail Youzhny are up next in the men's in what I think will be a very one sided match. Nadal may not have been at his brilliant best against Paire but it's not easy find your rhythm in your first match here. The altitude changes the way the ball flies through the air and with a game under his belt I think Rafa will be much better today. Youzhny beat Almagro yesterday which was no great surprise because he has never lost to the Spaniard. This one will be a different story. Rafa in two.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Fernando Verdasco do battle later today in what has the potential to be an upset. Verdasco has got some surprising wins this week but I don't see his run continuing. Tsonga had a very good win over Robin Haase last night and I think he will get a very good win here. Verdasco has the capability to win this one if he is on form but I just don't see him bringing consistency to the court again today. Tsonga in three.
Roger Federer faces a tricky match against Kei Nishikori today. Federer might be the world number two but his lack of matches worries me. Nishikori is playing very well this season and he will fancy his chances today. Federer looked good against Stepanek but there were times he seemed to struggle and that worries me today. I think he will be in good stead for the French Open but he is vulnerable this week. It's hard to go for Nishikori to win so I'll say Federer to win but I wouldn't be one bit surprised to see Nishikori cause a shock.
Daniela Hantuchova faces Kaia Kanepi in what should be a real battle. These two have both had very good wins this week and will be confident. I like Hantuchova but I think she's going to struggle today. She has a 3-1 record against the Estonian but her three wins were more than four years ago. Kanepi won their last meeting 6-3 6-1 and I think she will get the job done today. Kanepi in three.
Sara Errani takes on Varvaro Lepchenko in an intriguing battle later today. Lepchenko made an impact at Roland Garros last year and certainly knows her way around a clay court but she faces the ultimate warrior today in Errani. The Italian is one of the best clay court players on the tour but Lepchenko has beaten her on clay only a few weeks ago, in straight sets. Errani is someone I think could make a final this week and despite her record against Lepchenko I think she will get a straight sets win of her own today. Errani in two.
Ekaterina Makarova got a surprise win over an out of sorts Azarenka yesterday and faces Marion Bartoli today. Two players having average seasons and in desperate need of something to kick start their year. Bartoli is a great fighter but I think she'll meet her match in Makarova. I like Ekaterina to get through this one in a tough encounter. Makarova in three.
Rafa Nadal and Mikhail Youzhny are up next in the men's in what I think will be a very one sided match. Nadal may not have been at his brilliant best against Paire but it's not easy find your rhythm in your first match here. The altitude changes the way the ball flies through the air and with a game under his belt I think Rafa will be much better today. Youzhny beat Almagro yesterday which was no great surprise because he has never lost to the Spaniard. This one will be a different story. Rafa in two.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Fernando Verdasco do battle later today in what has the potential to be an upset. Verdasco has got some surprising wins this week but I don't see his run continuing. Tsonga had a very good win over Robin Haase last night and I think he will get a very good win here. Verdasco has the capability to win this one if he is on form but I just don't see him bringing consistency to the court again today. Tsonga in three.
Roger Federer faces a tricky match against Kei Nishikori today. Federer might be the world number two but his lack of matches worries me. Nishikori is playing very well this season and he will fancy his chances today. Federer looked good against Stepanek but there were times he seemed to struggle and that worries me today. I think he will be in good stead for the French Open but he is vulnerable this week. It's hard to go for Nishikori to win so I'll say Federer to win but I wouldn't be one bit surprised to see Nishikori cause a shock.
Daniela Hantuchova faces Kaia Kanepi in what should be a real battle. These two have both had very good wins this week and will be confident. I like Hantuchova but I think she's going to struggle today. She has a 3-1 record against the Estonian but her three wins were more than four years ago. Kanepi won their last meeting 6-3 6-1 and I think she will get the job done today. Kanepi in three.
Sara Errani takes on Varvaro Lepchenko in an intriguing battle later today. Lepchenko made an impact at Roland Garros last year and certainly knows her way around a clay court but she faces the ultimate warrior today in Errani. The Italian is one of the best clay court players on the tour but Lepchenko has beaten her on clay only a few weeks ago, in straight sets. Errani is someone I think could make a final this week and despite her record against Lepchenko I think she will get a straight sets win of her own today. Errani in two.
Ekaterina Makarova got a surprise win over an out of sorts Azarenka yesterday and faces Marion Bartoli today. Two players having average seasons and in desperate need of something to kick start their year. Bartoli is a great fighter but I think she'll meet her match in Makarova. I like Ekaterina to get through this one in a tough encounter. Makarova in three.
Wednesday 8 May 2013
Madrid Masters 1000: Wednesday Preview
The Madrid Masters 1000 is underway and we've seen some thrilling tennis in the first few days. This event has been seen as yet another chapter of the Rafa-Novak rivalry but Grigor Dimitrov put paid to that when he beat Djokovic yesterday. Rafa gets his campaign underway tomorrow. So far the main contenders for the women's draw have made safe passage through but it's only a matter of time before we see some real upsets. So let's have a look at some of tomorrow's matches.
Rafa Nadal vs Benoit Paire.
These two met for the first time a few weeks ago and Rafa brushed the Frenchman aside. With Djokovic gone I think Nadal will see himself as unstoppable this week. Paire won't provide him with any trouble and Rafa should win it very comfortably. Rafa in two sets.
Kei Nishikori vs. Viktor Troicki.
This one could be tricky. Nishikori is without doubt the better player but he can throw in some poor days. Troicki looked like someone who could be a regular top fifteen player but he's fallen from that status now. I don't see him getting the better of Nishikori tomorrow. The talent gap between these two should be apparent from the start. Nishikori in two.
Tomas Berdych vs Jerzy Janowicz.
This one is going to be massive. Two players who play aggressively battling it out at altitude. I expect this to be filled with winners and aces but it should be the Czech star who comes through. Berdych is someone who can break into the top four if he can continue his form over the last eight months. Janowicz needs to find a consistency in his game and until then he will struggle to get deep into tournaments. Take Berdych to come through in two tight sets.
Tommy Haas vs. Tommy Robredo.
This is the match I am most looking forward to tomorrow. Haas has been turning back the clock since returning to the tour last year and is hitting top form again. He beat Djokovic en route to the Miami semi finals and won the title in Munich last week before destroying a quality player today in Andreas Seppi. Robredo himself is coming back to his best after injury. He has also shown he still has what it takes to compete on the tour. Expect some top quality hitting and long rallies in this one. Like their first meeting 13 years ago, we're going for Haas in three.
Stan Wawrinka vs. Santiago Giraldo.
I'm eager to see how this game goes also. It might seem straight forward for Wawrinka given his form but we've never quite seen the Swiss star show the consistency associated with top ten players. Stan has the potential to break the top ten and possibly the top five if he can continue his form. He's arguably been one of the best players this year and picked up an impressive title in Oeiras last week beating Ferrer on clay. I'd expect him to win this in two and prove he is not going away lightly anymore. Stan in two.
In other men's games we expect Juan Monaco to beat Kevin Anderson, Nicolas Almagro to get his first win over Mikhail Youzhny and comfortable wins for Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and David Ferrer.
Carla Suarez Navarro vs. Kaia Kanepi.
This one should be a close match with the pair having split their four meetings so far. The home crowd and clay courts are in favour of Suarez-Navarro. Kanepi is a strong player but I think she will be in trouble tomorrow. They met last week in the semi finals of Oeiras and the Spaniard won in straight sets. We expect the same tomorrow. Navarro in two.
Ana Ivanovic vs. Laura Robson.
Many people might be expecting an upset here after Robson beat Radwanska in the last round but I don't see it. Robson is not the player she's been made out to be. There are far too many faults in her game and she isn't doing enough to eradicate them. Here serve is very poor and aggressive players like Ivanovic will take advantage of that. She has talent and that will get her wins but she needs consistency to ever make it to the top. Ivanovic is returning to her best form and she should win this in two.
Victoria Azarenka vs. Ekaterina Makarova.
Makarova can get wins over top players but I don't see it happening tomorrow. Azarenka is the best player in women's tennis and despite not having a lot of match practice on clay recently I think she will have a good week here to begin her preparations for the French Open. She had a great win over an in form Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the opening round and that will have her sharp to win this one in two.
Angelique Kerber vs. Svetlana Kuznetsova.
This one is the game of the day. Two players I like a lot going head to head. Kuznetsova is a former French Open champion and is one of the best clay court players on the tour. The problem she faces tomorrow is Kerber has the ability to hit through her. I think Kerber has potential to go deep at Roland Garros and proving herself on clay beforehand is crucial to that. In what should be a very tight game, I expect Kerber to sneak through.
In other games we expect wins for Maria Kirilenko, Julia Goerges and Petra Kvitova.
Rafa Nadal vs Benoit Paire.
These two met for the first time a few weeks ago and Rafa brushed the Frenchman aside. With Djokovic gone I think Nadal will see himself as unstoppable this week. Paire won't provide him with any trouble and Rafa should win it very comfortably. Rafa in two sets.
Kei Nishikori vs. Viktor Troicki.
This one could be tricky. Nishikori is without doubt the better player but he can throw in some poor days. Troicki looked like someone who could be a regular top fifteen player but he's fallen from that status now. I don't see him getting the better of Nishikori tomorrow. The talent gap between these two should be apparent from the start. Nishikori in two.
Tomas Berdych vs Jerzy Janowicz.
This one is going to be massive. Two players who play aggressively battling it out at altitude. I expect this to be filled with winners and aces but it should be the Czech star who comes through. Berdych is someone who can break into the top four if he can continue his form over the last eight months. Janowicz needs to find a consistency in his game and until then he will struggle to get deep into tournaments. Take Berdych to come through in two tight sets.
Tommy Haas vs. Tommy Robredo.
This is the match I am most looking forward to tomorrow. Haas has been turning back the clock since returning to the tour last year and is hitting top form again. He beat Djokovic en route to the Miami semi finals and won the title in Munich last week before destroying a quality player today in Andreas Seppi. Robredo himself is coming back to his best after injury. He has also shown he still has what it takes to compete on the tour. Expect some top quality hitting and long rallies in this one. Like their first meeting 13 years ago, we're going for Haas in three.
Stan Wawrinka vs. Santiago Giraldo.
I'm eager to see how this game goes also. It might seem straight forward for Wawrinka given his form but we've never quite seen the Swiss star show the consistency associated with top ten players. Stan has the potential to break the top ten and possibly the top five if he can continue his form. He's arguably been one of the best players this year and picked up an impressive title in Oeiras last week beating Ferrer on clay. I'd expect him to win this in two and prove he is not going away lightly anymore. Stan in two.
In other men's games we expect Juan Monaco to beat Kevin Anderson, Nicolas Almagro to get his first win over Mikhail Youzhny and comfortable wins for Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and David Ferrer.
Carla Suarez Navarro vs. Kaia Kanepi.
This one should be a close match with the pair having split their four meetings so far. The home crowd and clay courts are in favour of Suarez-Navarro. Kanepi is a strong player but I think she will be in trouble tomorrow. They met last week in the semi finals of Oeiras and the Spaniard won in straight sets. We expect the same tomorrow. Navarro in two.
Ana Ivanovic vs. Laura Robson.
Many people might be expecting an upset here after Robson beat Radwanska in the last round but I don't see it. Robson is not the player she's been made out to be. There are far too many faults in her game and she isn't doing enough to eradicate them. Here serve is very poor and aggressive players like Ivanovic will take advantage of that. She has talent and that will get her wins but she needs consistency to ever make it to the top. Ivanovic is returning to her best form and she should win this in two.
Victoria Azarenka vs. Ekaterina Makarova.
Makarova can get wins over top players but I don't see it happening tomorrow. Azarenka is the best player in women's tennis and despite not having a lot of match practice on clay recently I think she will have a good week here to begin her preparations for the French Open. She had a great win over an in form Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the opening round and that will have her sharp to win this one in two.
Angelique Kerber vs. Svetlana Kuznetsova.
This one is the game of the day. Two players I like a lot going head to head. Kuznetsova is a former French Open champion and is one of the best clay court players on the tour. The problem she faces tomorrow is Kerber has the ability to hit through her. I think Kerber has potential to go deep at Roland Garros and proving herself on clay beforehand is crucial to that. In what should be a very tight game, I expect Kerber to sneak through.
In other games we expect wins for Maria Kirilenko, Julia Goerges and Petra Kvitova.
Wednesday 1 May 2013
ATP Munich
The BMW Open is one of the finest ATP 250 events around with a number of the top players entering looking for some form ahead of the back to back Masters 1000 events in Madrid and Rome. So let's have a look at who the main contenders for the title are.
The top seed for this event is Serbia's Janko Tipsarevic but as I said in the last few week, I don't think he is playing well enough to win. He is too inconsistent and with his style of play you can't afford inconsistency. I wouldn't be surprised to see him beaten before the weekend here. Second seed Marin Cilic is already eliminated after suffering defeat against fellow Croat Ivan Dodig. Dodig is a potential danger in the quarter finals but again I don't see enough consistency in his game to be crowned winner on Sunday.
Leading the German challenge this week are two serious contenders in Tommy Haas and defending champion Phillip Kohlschreiber. Kohlschreiber has been far from his best this season but playing in front of his home fans at a venue where he has won twice before makes him a threat. Haas has once again defied his age to prove last season was no fluke as he continues to climb the rankings. Having made it to a final and a Masters 1000 semi final already this year he is one worth watching this week.
An early obstacle for Haas is Latvian Ernests Gulbis who has been in fantastic form since he quit smoking and drinking and decided to fully commit to tennis. With a title already to his name this season he will see a real chance to bag a second one this week. Aleksandr Dolgopolov has been poor all season but is capable of turning it around in the blink of an eye and if he does then he could be worth watching.
Although there were 28 names in the field, I do believe I have mentioned the winner already. It's not easy to look ahead and pick one player but I think the winner of this title will be the winner of the Ernests Gulbis-Tommy Haas match. They face off tomorrow and I see the winner of that meeting Kohlschreiber in the final. Gulbis is at 4/1 currently, while Haas is at 6/1. Kohlschreiber is at 2/1. If I had to pick one I'd go for Haas.
The top seed for this event is Serbia's Janko Tipsarevic but as I said in the last few week, I don't think he is playing well enough to win. He is too inconsistent and with his style of play you can't afford inconsistency. I wouldn't be surprised to see him beaten before the weekend here. Second seed Marin Cilic is already eliminated after suffering defeat against fellow Croat Ivan Dodig. Dodig is a potential danger in the quarter finals but again I don't see enough consistency in his game to be crowned winner on Sunday.
Leading the German challenge this week are two serious contenders in Tommy Haas and defending champion Phillip Kohlschreiber. Kohlschreiber has been far from his best this season but playing in front of his home fans at a venue where he has won twice before makes him a threat. Haas has once again defied his age to prove last season was no fluke as he continues to climb the rankings. Having made it to a final and a Masters 1000 semi final already this year he is one worth watching this week.
An early obstacle for Haas is Latvian Ernests Gulbis who has been in fantastic form since he quit smoking and drinking and decided to fully commit to tennis. With a title already to his name this season he will see a real chance to bag a second one this week. Aleksandr Dolgopolov has been poor all season but is capable of turning it around in the blink of an eye and if he does then he could be worth watching.
Although there were 28 names in the field, I do believe I have mentioned the winner already. It's not easy to look ahead and pick one player but I think the winner of this title will be the winner of the Ernests Gulbis-Tommy Haas match. They face off tomorrow and I see the winner of that meeting Kohlschreiber in the final. Gulbis is at 4/1 currently, while Haas is at 6/1. Kohlschreiber is at 2/1. If I had to pick one I'd go for Haas.
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