Draw:
(1) Federer vs BYE
Acasuso vs Q
Ferrer vs Wawrinka
Ferrero vs (14) Cilic
(12) Soderling vs Hewitt
Vassallo Arguello vs Becker
Q vs Querrey
(5) Roddick vs BYE
(3) Murray vs BYE
Almagro vs Sela
(WC) Safin vs (WC) Ginepri
Troicki vs (16) Stepanek
(11) Verdasco vs Garcia-LOpez
Hanescu vs Q
Lopez vs Melzer
(6) Del Potro vs BYE
(8) Davydenko vs BYE
Blake vs Kunitsyn
Andreev vs Kiefer
(WC) Odesnik vs (9) Simon
(15) Robredo vs Chardy
(WC) Isner vs Haas
Q vs Serra
(4) Djokovic vs BYE
(7) Tsonga vs BYE
Kohlschreiber vs Q
Q vs Petzschner
Berdych vs (10) Gonzalez
(13) Monfils vs Karlovic
Zverev vs Mathieu
Q vs Seppi
(2) Nadal vs BYE
Preview:
The tail-end of back-to-back Masters Series 1000 events is upon as us the focus shifts to North America and the Cincinnati Masters. Defending champion is Andy Murray who defeated Novak Djokovic in the 2008 final. For whatever reason this tournament is probably my least favourite of all the MS tournaments but I’m still really looking forward to it.
As usual with these tournaments there are some outstanding first round matches on the cards. Ferrer v Wawrinka is a beauty, as is Juan Carlos Ferrero v Cilic. After a lay-off it will be interesting to see whether Soderling can recapture his form and he meets Lleyton Hewitt first up. After being slated to meet in Montreal but eventually not doing so due to the retirement of Soderling, Berdych and Gonzalez will finally meet in what should be a gem. Really hoping Sam Querrey can get a win first up against qualifier Lu, it’s one of tonight’s two feature night matches. If he does manage a win he’ll then face Roddick, pretty awful luck for Sam who must have come into these MS events with such confidence.
As for the main contenders, Roger Federer appears borderline disinterested in playing these tournaments as his sole focus is on the Slams. I don’t give him much of a chance especially when you consider he’s got a pretty tough opponent in the 3rd round. One of four quality players in Wawrinka, Cilic, JCF and Ferrer will be Federer’s 3rd round opponent. If he wins though, as he probably will, Roddick awaits in the Quarters. Given Andy’s form and the fact he beat him at this very tournament just last year, I like his chances of doing so again.
Nadal is slowly working his way back from injury and while I’m not as quick to write him off as I was last week, I don’t think he’s truly ready yet. He’s looking at Tsonga in the Quarters but Karlovic could be a sneaky chance at progressing though to meet him in the 3rd round. Worth noting that Karlovic made the Semi’s at Cincinnati last year. Andy Murray appears to be the logical choice. While back-to-back MS tournaments are physically demanding, he did reach both the Indian Wells and Miami finals in March/April. Helping his cause initially is a favourable draw; he won’t meet an opponent capable of troubling him until Verdasco in the Quarters.
The one man I haven’t spoken of is Novak Djokovic. His form is sketchy, his confidence absolutely shot however as per usual he should again be able to knock off weak opponents early. He should have minimal trouble reaching the Quarters where Davydenko/Simon will await. After I promised myself I wouldn’t after seeing him struggle through Montreal I can’t believe I’m going to again be sucked into predicting a successful week for Novak but I can’t help but like his draw.
Prediction: Roddick def. Djokovic
You wouldn’t be wrong if you came to the assumption that Murray would be my tip to win however I’m going with Roddick. Murray’s form on hard courts this year has been incredible, all that’s missing is a Grand Slam and he’ll get his chance soon enough. Perhaps the only thing stopping him here is fatigue because with Del Potro having to withdraw his bracket looks a lot easier. I think Roddick will beat Federer and then ride that wave of confidence to beat Murray. In all likelihood, and assuming they actually do meet, whoever wins the Murray/Roddick SF will win the title. As for Djokovic reaching the final, I can’t believe I’m doing it again. I just think he’s got a dream draw to the Semi’s and I expect either Tsonga/Nadal to await and they will be exhausted by the time they face Novak.
(1) Federer vs BYE
Acasuso vs Q
Ferrer vs Wawrinka
Ferrero vs (14) Cilic
(12) Soderling vs Hewitt
Vassallo Arguello vs Becker
Q vs Querrey
(5) Roddick vs BYE
(3) Murray vs BYE
Almagro vs Sela
(WC) Safin vs (WC) Ginepri
Troicki vs (16) Stepanek
(11) Verdasco vs Garcia-LOpez
Hanescu vs Q
Lopez vs Melzer
(6) Del Potro vs BYE
(8) Davydenko vs BYE
Blake vs Kunitsyn
Andreev vs Kiefer
(WC) Odesnik vs (9) Simon
(15) Robredo vs Chardy
(WC) Isner vs Haas
Q vs Serra
(4) Djokovic vs BYE
(7) Tsonga vs BYE
Kohlschreiber vs Q
Q vs Petzschner
Berdych vs (10) Gonzalez
(13) Monfils vs Karlovic
Zverev vs Mathieu
Q vs Seppi
(2) Nadal vs BYE
Preview:
The tail-end of back-to-back Masters Series 1000 events is upon as us the focus shifts to North America and the Cincinnati Masters. Defending champion is Andy Murray who defeated Novak Djokovic in the 2008 final. For whatever reason this tournament is probably my least favourite of all the MS tournaments but I’m still really looking forward to it.
As usual with these tournaments there are some outstanding first round matches on the cards. Ferrer v Wawrinka is a beauty, as is Juan Carlos Ferrero v Cilic. After a lay-off it will be interesting to see whether Soderling can recapture his form and he meets Lleyton Hewitt first up. After being slated to meet in Montreal but eventually not doing so due to the retirement of Soderling, Berdych and Gonzalez will finally meet in what should be a gem. Really hoping Sam Querrey can get a win first up against qualifier Lu, it’s one of tonight’s two feature night matches. If he does manage a win he’ll then face Roddick, pretty awful luck for Sam who must have come into these MS events with such confidence.
As for the main contenders, Roger Federer appears borderline disinterested in playing these tournaments as his sole focus is on the Slams. I don’t give him much of a chance especially when you consider he’s got a pretty tough opponent in the 3rd round. One of four quality players in Wawrinka, Cilic, JCF and Ferrer will be Federer’s 3rd round opponent. If he wins though, as he probably will, Roddick awaits in the Quarters. Given Andy’s form and the fact he beat him at this very tournament just last year, I like his chances of doing so again.
Nadal is slowly working his way back from injury and while I’m not as quick to write him off as I was last week, I don’t think he’s truly ready yet. He’s looking at Tsonga in the Quarters but Karlovic could be a sneaky chance at progressing though to meet him in the 3rd round. Worth noting that Karlovic made the Semi’s at Cincinnati last year. Andy Murray appears to be the logical choice. While back-to-back MS tournaments are physically demanding, he did reach both the Indian Wells and Miami finals in March/April. Helping his cause initially is a favourable draw; he won’t meet an opponent capable of troubling him until Verdasco in the Quarters.
The one man I haven’t spoken of is Novak Djokovic. His form is sketchy, his confidence absolutely shot however as per usual he should again be able to knock off weak opponents early. He should have minimal trouble reaching the Quarters where Davydenko/Simon will await. After I promised myself I wouldn’t after seeing him struggle through Montreal I can’t believe I’m going to again be sucked into predicting a successful week for Novak but I can’t help but like his draw.
Prediction: Roddick def. Djokovic
You wouldn’t be wrong if you came to the assumption that Murray would be my tip to win however I’m going with Roddick. Murray’s form on hard courts this year has been incredible, all that’s missing is a Grand Slam and he’ll get his chance soon enough. Perhaps the only thing stopping him here is fatigue because with Del Potro having to withdraw his bracket looks a lot easier. I think Roddick will beat Federer and then ride that wave of confidence to beat Murray. In all likelihood, and assuming they actually do meet, whoever wins the Murray/Roddick SF will win the title. As for Djokovic reaching the final, I can’t believe I’m doing it again. I just think he’s got a dream draw to the Semi’s and I expect either Tsonga/Nadal to await and they will be exhausted by the time they face Novak.
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