2018 ATP Marrakech Preview and Predictions: Clay Court Action Returns With the Grand Prix Hassan II Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic
The ATP 250 tournament in Morocco heralds the return of clay on the ATP tour as the race for the French Open begins anew. Here is your full preview with predictions for Africa’s only ATP stop.
Top seed Albert Ramos should be skilled enough on clay to defeat Amine Ahouda and J.L. Struff/qualifier to reach the quarters. At that point he should meet either his countryman Pablo Andujar, who comes off a challenger title, or Alexandr Dolgopolov. Both Dolgo and Andjuar are returning from injuries, and they open with qualifiers. I’ll go with Ramos over Andujar in the quarters.
Philipp Kohlschreiber is in good form as he takes on out of shape shotmaker Lamine Ouahab. Nikoloz Basilashvili takes on Matteo Berrettini in the other contest in this section. Kohlschreiber, presuming he’s fresh enough, should win it over Berrettini to reach the quarters. Robin Haase and Joao Sousa are options in the quarters, I’ll back Sousa over a qualifier and Haase/Mirza Basic before falling to Kohli.
Kyle Edmund has struggled in his return from injury thus I have him losing to Jiri Vesely in the opening round. I’ll back Andreas Seppi over Radu Albot and Vesely to reach the quarters coming off of Davis Cup. Paolo Lorenzi is my dark horse this week, he feasts on 250’s on clay like this and his path of Mischa Zverev, and Marton Fucsovics/Malek Jaziri is not overly imposing. Lorenzi over Seppi is my pick in the quarters.
The strongest section of the draw features Benoit Paire vs. Gilles Simon, with Paire as my choice. Roberto Carballes Baena vs. Max Marterer, Thomas Fabbiano vs. Richard Gasquet, and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez vs. a qualifier. Gasquet has struggled badly as of late but I’ll stick with him against Fabbiano and Garcia-Lopez. Paire should beat Marterer and Gasquet to reach the semis.
Predictions
Semis Ramos d. Kohlschreiber
Paire d. Lorenzi
I’ll go with Paire this week in a really open field. Kohlschreiber should be facing fatigue, while Ramos and Lorenzi may not be sharp enough.
Despite having to play on the road France came away the victor in all but one singles rubber to win 3-1. Lucas Pouille was the national hero with wins over Andreas Seppi and Fabio Fognini to win the tie. His win against Seppi came in 5 sets, while against Fognini he needed 4 sets. Fognini beat Jeremy Chardy in the lone singles win for Italy, while Fognini and Simone Bolelli were trounced by Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut in the doubles rubber.
Rafael Nadal featured in a big way but David Ferrer emerged the hero as Spain triumphed over Germany 3-2. Nadal didn’t drop a set against Philipp Kohlschreiber and Alexander Zverev, but Germany kept the tie alive thanks to wins by Zverev against Ferrer and Tim Puetz/J.L, Struff over the Lopez brothers in doubles. After Nadal won the stage was set for Kohlschreiber vs. Ferrer to decide the tie. Despite his decline at the ATP level Ferrer grinded away for multiple hours to emerge the victor 7-5 in the 5th set. Neither veteran was poor, but Spain’s hopes remain alive for perhaps a final Davis Cup title for their golden generation.
Marin Cilic won twice without dropping a set (d. Dmitry Popko and Mikhail Kukushkin), and even though Kukushkin upset Borna Coric on Friday, the doubles win for Ivan Dodig and Nikola Mektic all but sealed the tie for Croatia as they outmatched Timur Khabibulin and Aleksandr Nedovyesov.
Strong play from John Isner and Sam Querrey against Joris De Loore and Ruben Bemelmans setup Ryan Harrison and Jack Sock to close out the tie with a doubles win against Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen. Belgium came into the tie outgunned, and the end result was no surprise as team USA remains a great contender for the 2018 Davis Cup title.
Action outside the World Group
Argentina, Columbia, India, Uzbekistan, Czech Republican, Sweden, Bosnia, and Austria advanced to the World Group Playoffs for 2018. Austria being the biggest surprise of that bunch as Andrey Rublev and Evgeny Donskoy disappointed in a big way at home.
Spain vs. Germany Highlights 2018 Davis Cup Quarterfinal Matchups Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic
The Davis Cup quarterfinals feature a host of top European sides along with team USA hoping to make it one step further towards the 2018 Davis Cup final. Here is your full preview, with predictions.
An experienced Italian side will battle on clay against the title favorites France. Lucas Pouille takes on Andreas Seppi, while Fabio Fognini is slated to face Jeremy Chardy in the opening ties. Those early ties should decide things, while the French have an edge in doubles with Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut opposite Simone Bolelli/Paolo Lorenzi. Italy at home has a chance, but I’ll back a strong French side.
On clay in Spain, Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer lead the Armada against a strong German side in the tie of the weekend. Alexander Zverev will look to strengthen his credentials as the top player for his country. Philipp Kohlschreiber is also on hand, while the Lopez brothers is set to face Tim Puetz/J.L. Struff in doubles. On clay Nadal and Ferrer should be too tough and Spain looks positioned to advance.
Marin Cilic and Borna Coric make the home Croatian side favorites on clay against Kazakhstan. The Kazakh’s play strong as a team led by Mikhail Kukushkin, but Dmitry Popko, Timur Khabibulin, and Aleksandr Nedovyesov are simply not strong enough against Cilic and Coric. Ivan Dodig and Nikola Mektic are on hand for doubles. Croatia should win easily.
John Isner and Sam Querrey are on home soil in Nashville on hard courts against a weak Belgian side. Ryan Harrison and Jack Sock are also on hand, while Joris De Loore, Ruben Bemelmans, and Sander Gille/Joran Vliegen counter for Belgium. Anything but a USA sweep would be a shock.
In Europe/Africa Group 1 Jiri Vesely and the Czech Republic takes on Dudi Sela in Israel, the Ymer brothers lead Sweden against Joao Sousa and Portugal, Martin Klizan and Damir Dzumhur feature in the Slovakia vs. Bosnia tie, and a strong Russian side looks to close out Austria with Andrey Rublev and Daniil Medvedev leading the charge.
Colombia vs. Brazil, Indian vs. China, and Argentina vs. Chile also feature, with Diego Schwartzman and Nicolas Jarry squaring off in Argentina on clay.
Wins Today at Volvo Car Open Set Up Quarterfinal Match Between Friends Kasatkina and Goerges Tony Callaio, Tennis Atlantic
Daria Kasatkina, 2018 Volvo Open (Photo: Tony Callaio)
CHARLESTON, S.C—Thursday started with the round of 16 ready to go including the 2017 defending Volvo Car Open champion and No. 3 seed, Daria Kasatkina.
Kasatkina took on 13th seed, Irina-Camilia Begu taking her out fairly easily 6-2, 6-1 in an afternoon match.
Daria Kasatkina, 2018 Volvo Open (Photo: Tony Callaio)
Next up for Kasatkina is WTA tour friend, 5th seed Julie Goerges. Goerges took out one of the tour’s rising stars in Naomi Osaka from Japan.
Regarding Kasatkina’s upcoming match with her friend Goerges, Kasatkina said, “Tough to say because she’s really aggressive, she’s serving well. She has a very aggressive forehand, very solid backhand. To beat her for sure, I have to show something special and to play not like go on court just to play. I think it’s going to be a good match.”
Julia Goerges, 2018 Volvo Open (Photo: Tony Callaio)
Goerges started out slow in the first set against Osaka eventually getting to a tiebreak. Goerges outscored Osaka 7 to 4 in the tiebreak, taking the first set, 7-6.
The second set was a bit easier time for Goerges before closing it out 6-3.
Julia Goerges, 2018 Volvo Open (Photo: Tony Callaio)
“I saw that her body language changed in the second set,” Goerges said. “She was, I think a little bit frustrated that she couldn’t take the opportunities she had in the first set and she really let me back in.”
Windy Wednesday at Volvo Car Open Leaves 16 Standing Steve Fogleman, Tennis Atlantic
The winds picked up on Wednesday at the Volvo Car Open in Charleston, South Carolina and swept 16 players into the third round. It also swept a few seeded players out of the action.
Naomi Osaka hasn’t dropped a set yet and looked good in a 6-3, 7-6(8) win over Laura Siegemund on Stadium court. Osaka opens today’s schedule against Julia Goerges, who needed three sets to dispatch Kristie Ahn yesterday.
Naomi Osaka (Photo: Tony Callaio)
Irina Begu beat American Claire Liu, 6-4, 6-2 yesterday and will face defending champ Daria Kasatkina.
Alize Cornet (Photo: Tony Callaio)
Looking to book a spot in the quarterfinal is today’s “Quartier Francaise” matchup: Top seed Caroline Garcia vs. compatriot Alize Cornet. Cornet has looked strong this week as she notched another quick straight sets victory, this time over Polona Hercog. I think Cornet has a good chance of notching the upset tonight.
Camila Giorgi (Photo: Tony Callaio)
Camila Giorgi stepped up her game to overcome a resurgent Daria Gavrilova in three sets yesterday and earned the right to play Madison Keys, who needed three sets to dispatch Lara Arruabuena.
Fanny Stollar (Photo: Tony Callaio)
Johanna Konta was one and done after Fanny Stollar dominated her in straight sets. Stollar is on to the round of 16 for the second year in a row here. Stollar plays Kiki Bertens this afternoon.
The big upset of the day was reserved for Petra Kvitova and the best thing you could say about the match is that Kvitova never saw it coming. After she grabbed a routine 6-1 first set, Kvitova seemed the spectator and lost the last two sets badly to Kristyna Pliskova, 6-1. 6-3. Pliskova draws Elena Vesnina.
RESULTS – APRIL 4, 2018 Women’s
Singles – Second Round
K. Pliskova (CZE) d [2] P. Kvitova (CZE) 16 61 63
[5] J. Goerges (GER) d K. Ahn (USA) 26 64 76(1)
[Q] F. Stollar (HUN) d [6] J. Konta (GBR) 63 64
[7] M. Keys (USA) d L. Arruabarrena (ESP) 61 36 63
[8] A. Sevastova (LAT) d [Q] C. Dolehide (USA) 75 67(5) 61
[9] A. Barty (AUS) d T. Maria (GER) 46 63 62
[10] N. Osaka (JPN) d L. Siegemund (GER) 63 76(8)
C. Giorgi (ITA) d [11] D. Gavrilova (AUS) 62 26 63
[12] K. Bertens (NED) d A. Krunic (SRB) 64 62
[13] I. Begu (ROU) d [Q] C. Liu (USA) 64 62
[14] A. Cornet (FRA) d P. Hercog (SLO) 62 63
[WC] S. Errani (ITA) d [15] M. Buzarnescu (ROU) 36 76(5) 62
[16] E. Vesnina (RUS) d T. Townsend (USA) 64 61
B. Pera (USA) d [LL] D. Yastremska (UKR) 76(4) 16 64
Women’s
Doubles – First Round
K. Bondarenko (UKR) / A. Krunic (SRB) d [4] B. Krejcikova (CZE) / K. Siniakova (CZE) 62 16 10-5
M. Buzarnescu (ROU) / H. Watson (GBR) d [WC] M. Doi (JPN) / C. Mchale (USA) 36 63 10-8
ORDER OF PLAY – THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2018 VOLVO CAR STADIUM start 11:00 am
[5] J. Goerges (GER) vs [10] N. Osaka (JPN)
[13] I. Begu (ROU) vs [3] D. Kasatkina (RUS)
C. Giorgi (ITA) vs [7] M. Keys (USA)
[12] K. Bertens (NED) vs [Q] F. Stollar (HUN)
Not Before 7:00 pm
[1] C. Garcia (FRA) vs [14] A. Cornet (FRA)
A. Kudryavtseva (RUS) / K. Srebotnik (SLO) vs [2] B. Mattek-Sands (USA) / A. Sestini Hlavackova (CZE)
ALTHEA GIBSON CLUB COURT start 11:00 am
[8] A. Sevastova (LAT) vs [9] A. Barty (AUS)
Not Before 12:00 noon
B. Pera (USA) vs [WC] S. Errani (ITA)
[16] E. Vesnina (RUS) vs K. Pliskova (CZE)
[3] A. Klepac (SLO) / M. Martínez Sánchez (ESP) vs [WC] L. Arruabarrena (ESP) / S. Errani (ITA)
Naomi Osaka, 2018 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)
Volvo Car Open Heats Up as Round 1 Winds Down Steve Fogleman, Tennis Atlantic
The weather heated up in Charleston in yesterday and so did the level of play at the first round of the Volvo Car Open in Charleston. Alize Cornet was the first winner of the day, a quick 6-1, 6-2 victory over Kateryna Bondarenko. Polona Hercog looked strong in her debut match over Maryna Zanevska, 6-1, 6-4. The ugliest score of the day had to be Aleksandra Krunic’s 6-2, 6-2 whipping of Bethanie Mattek-Sands. I’d seen Mattek-Sands practice a couple of times this week and she looked tentative and way less than 100%.
Polona Hercog, 2018 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)
Naomi Osaka looked very much like she still has a hot streak in her as she closed the door on Jen Brady, 6-4, 6-4 on Billie Jean King stadium court.
Caroline Dolehide proved her qualifying was no fluke as she advanced to the second round by way of a 5-7, 6-0, 6-4 upset over Johanna Larsson. Dolehide meets Anastasia Sevastova in round 2.
Laura Siegemund, 2018 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)
Laura Siegemund, 2018 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)
Laura Siegemund is back to her winning ways in Charleston and was pretty ecstatic about the whole affair. After finishing off Natalia Vikhlyantseva, 7-5, 6-2, she made a bee line for her coach and gave him a warm hug, the likes of which you’d expect if she’d won a final.
RESULTS – APRIL 2, 2018
Women’s
Singles – First Round
[10] N. Osaka (JPN) d J. Brady (USA) 64 64
[11] D. Gavrilova (AUS) d O. Jabeur (TUN) 16 64 63
[12] K. Bertens (NED) d V. Cepede Royg (PAR) 64 61
[14] A. Cornet (FRA) d K. Bondarenko (UKR) 61 62
[15] M. Buzarnescu (ROU) d [Q] V. Lapko (BLR) 64 00 Retired
V. Lepchenko (USA) d A. Petkovic (GER) 64 75
P. Hercog (SLO) d [Q] M. Zanevska (BEL) 61 64
A. Krunic (SRB) d [WC] B. Mattek-Sands (USA) 62 62
[Q] F. Stollar (HUN) d [Q] F. di Lorenzo (USA) 75 61
B. Pera (USA) d J. Cepelova (SVK) 62 62
C. Giorgi (ITA) d [Q] S. Soler-Espinosa (ESP) 61 64
L. Siegemund (GER) d N. Vikhlyantseva (RUS) 75 62
C. Mchale (USA) d Z. Diyas (KAZ) 64 62
[Q] C. Dolehide (USA) d J. Larsson (SWE) 57 60 64
Women’s
Doubles – First Round
[3] A. Klepac (SLO) / M. Martínez Sánchez (ESP) d A. Rosolska (POL) / A. Spears (USA) 61 63
[WC] L. Arruabarrena (ESP) / S. Errani (ITA) d T. Maria (GER) / K. Pliskova (CZE) 64 75
VOLVO CAR OPEN – CHARLESTON, USA
$800,000
APRIL 2 – 8, 2018
ORDER OF PLAY – TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2018
VOLVO CAR STADIUM start 10:00 am
S. Kenin (USA) vs [9] A. Barty (AUS)
K. Ahn (USA) vs S. Stosur (AUS)
E. Bouchard (CAN) vs [WC] S. Errani (ITA)
[1] C. Garcia (FRA) vs V. Lepchenko (USA)
Not Before 7:00 pm
C. Mchale (USA) vs [3] D. Kasatkina (RUS)
[1] G. Dabrowski (CAN) / Y. Xu (CHN) vs R. Atawo (USA) / A. Groenefeld (GER)
ALTHEA GIBSON CLUB COURT start 10:00 am
H. Watson (GBR) vs T. Townsend (USA)
[16] E. Vesnina (RUS) vs M. Brengle (USA)
L. Davis (USA) vs T. Maria (GER)
K. Siniakova (CZE) vs K. Pliskova (CZE)
COURT 3 start 10:00 am
[Q] C. Liu (USA) vs M. Linette (POL)
[13] I. Begu (ROU) vs [Q] G. Garcia Perez (ESP)
N. Melichar (USA) / K. Peschke (CZE) vs A. Kudryavtseva (RUS) / K. Srebotnik (SLO)
S. Aoyama (JPN) / Z. Yang (CHN) vs [2] B. Mattek-Sands (USA) / A. Sestini Hlavackova (CZE)
COURT 4 start 11:00 am
B. Haddad Maia (BRA) vs L. Arruabarrena (ESP)
M. Adamczak (AUS) / L. Kichenok (UKR) vs N. Kichenok (UKR) / An. Rodionova (AUS)
As the rest of Charleston went to church on Easter Sunday, some chose to go to the Church of Tennis Island. We heard eight rousing sermons of triumph and perseverance in the face of adversity on that sunny Sunday in the outdoor chapels of the Family Circle Cup Tennis Center as eight women advanced to the main draw of the Volvo Car Open.
Fanny Stollar, 2018 Volvo Car Open
Fanny Stollar was back. In fact, Fanny is a perfect name in an Easter story. Stollar flew through the first set against Ulrikke Eikeri and the crowd started thinking this was going to be a short service. Then, Eikeri roared back in the second, jumping out to a 3-0 lead before Stollar ended the service 6-1, 6-4. After the match, in which she played much better tennis than Saturday, she wasn’t answering my questions, stopping only to sign a tiny fraction of the autographs requested by fans. I’m not sure if she wasn’t well or if she is just in her own little zone, but most players in Charleston are friendlier to the fans.
Francesca Di Lorenzo was workmanlike in her 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 victory over Alla Kudryavtseva on Althea Gibson stadium court. The young American and former Ohio State standout (thanks Colette Lewis!) also played a better match than she did in the opening qualifying round. After dropping the first set, she kicked her game into high gear and the match was never in doubt thereafter. Her next opponent is none other than Fanny Stollar.
Maryland’s Sophie Chang went up 5-0 in the first set of her match against Silvia Soler-Espinosa and then the Spaniard also turned on the afterburners and took the match 3-6, 6-1, 6-0. All in all, it was a good weekend for the 20-year-old Chang, who was playing her first ever qualifying for a premier event.
Caroline Dolehide has the USTA clay in Orlando to thank for her winning ways over the weekend. She beat Misaki Doi of Japan in straight sets and will play Johanna Larsson this afternoon.
Kayla Day and Georgina Garcia Perez put on a marathon match and it was the Spaniard who prevailed in 3 tight sets. Today, Garcia Perez meets Camila Giorgi.
Yes, the sermons were long, but they were never boring. And the best part about this religion is that it’s not reserved for Sundays. The revival tent will be here all week.
VOLVO CAR OPEN – CHARLESTON, USA
$800,000
APRIL 2 – 8, 2018
RESULTS – APRIL 1, 2018
Women’s
Qualifying Singles – Second Round
Qualifying – [3] V. Lapko (BLR) d [WC] J. Pegula (USA) 75 64
Qualifying – [5] C. Dolehide (USA) d [10] M. Doi (JPN) 76(7) 63
Qualifying – [7] G. Garcia Perez (ESP) d [12] K. Day (USA) 62 67(3) 64
Qualifying – [8] M. Zanevska (BEL) d [9] D. Yastremska (UKR) 76(4) 26 63
Qualifying – C. Liu (USA) d [11] I. Bara (ROU) 76(5) 36 62
Qualifying – [14] S. Soler-Espinosa (ESP) d S. Chang (USA) 36 61 61
Qualifying – F. Stollar (HUN) d [16] U. Eikeri (NOR) 61 64
Qualifying – F. di Lorenzo (USA) d A. Kudryavtseva (RUS) 46 61 61
ORDER OF PLAY – MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2018 VOLVO CAR STADIUM start 10:00 am
K. Bondarenko (UKR) vs [14] A. Cornet (FRA)
V. Lepchenko (USA) vs A. Petkovic (GER)
J. Brady (USA) vs [10] N. Osaka (JPN)
A. Krunic (SRB) vs [WC] B. Mattek-Sands (USA)
ALTHEA GIBSON CLUB COURT start 10:00 am
C. Mchale (USA) vs Z. Diyas (KAZ)
[11] D. Gavrilova (AUS) vs O. Jabeur (TUN)
[Q] S. Soler-Espinosa (ESP) vs C. Giorgi (ITA)
J. Larsson (SWE) vs [Q] C. Dolehide (USA)
COURT 3 start 10:00 am
B. Pera (USA) vs J. Cepelova (SVK)
[12] K. Bertens (NED) vs V. Cepede Royg (PAR)
[Q] V. Lapko (BLR) vs [15] M. Buzarnescu (ROU)
[3] A. Klepac (SLO) / M. Martínez Sánchez (ESP) vs A. Rosolska (POL) / A. Spears (USA)
COURT 4 start 10:00 am
L. Siegemund (GER) vs N. Vikhlyantseva (RUS)
[Q] F. Stollar (HUN) vs [Q] F. di Lorenzo (USA)
Not Before 2:00 pm
P. Hercog (SLO) vs [Q] M. Zanevska (BEL)
T. Maria (GER) / K. Pliskova (CZE) vs [WC] L. Arruabarrena (ESP) / S. Errani (ITA)
VOLVO CAR OPEN – CHARLESTON, USA
$800,000
April 2 – 8, 2018
Women’s Singles
First Round
[1] C. Garcia (FRA) – Bye
V. Lepchenko (USA) vs. A. Petkovic (GER)
P. Hercog (SLO) vs. [Q] M. Zanevska (BEL)
K. Bondarenko (UKR) vs. [14] A. Cornet (FRA)
[12] K. Bertens (NED) vs. V. Cepede Royg (PAR)
A. Krunic (SRB) vs. [WC] B. Mattek-Sands (USA)
[Q] F. Stollar (HUN) vs. [Q] F. di Lorenzo (USA)
[6] J. Konta (GBR) – Bye
[4] S. Stephens (USA) – Bye
B. Pera (USA) vs. J. Cepelova (SVK)
E. Bouchard (CAN) vs. [WC] S. Errani (ITA)
[Q] V. Lapko (BLR) vs. [15] M. Buzarnescu (ROU)
[11] D. Gavrilova (AUS) vs. O. Jabeur (TUN)
[Q] S. Soler-Espinosa (ESP) vs. C. Giorgi (ITA)
B. Haddad Maia (BRA) vs. L. Arruabarrena (ESP)
[7] M. Keys (USA) – Bye
[5] J. Goerges (GER) – Bye
K. Ahn (USA) vs. S. Stosur (AUS)
L. Siegemund (GER) vs. N. Vikhlyantseva (RUS)
J. Brady (USA) vs. [10] N. Osaka (JPN)
[13] I. Begu (ROU) vs. [Q] G. Garcia Perez (ESP)
[Q] C. Liu (USA) vs. M. Linette (POL)
C. Mchale (USA) vs. Z. Diyas (KAZ)
[3] D. Kasatkina (RUS) – Bye
[8] A. Sevastova (LAT) – Bye
J. Larsson (SWE) vs. [Q] C. Dolehide (USA)
L. Davis (USA) vs. T. Maria (GER)
S. Kenin (USA) vs. [9] A. Barty (AUS)
[16] E. Vesnina (RUS) vs. M. Brengle (USA)
H. Watson (GBR) vs. T. Townsend (USA)
K. Siniakova (CZE) vs. K. Pliskova (CZE)
[2] P. Kvitova (CZE) – Bye
