Adrian Mannarino

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Roger Federer and Stefanos Tsitsipas Among Winners At End of ATP Season

Posted by Admin on October 28, 2018
Posted in: Antwerp, ATP, Basel, Moscow, Stockholm, Vienna. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Roger Federer and Stefanos Tsitsipas Among Winners At End of ATP Season
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

It’s been an exciting couple of weeks on European indoor hard courts as the ATP season winds down. Here is your look at recent results.

ATP Antwerp

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Kyle Edmund came back from a set down and needed two tiebreaks to defeat veteran Gael Monfils in the Antwerp 250 final. Edmund got a walkover against Ilya Ivashka in the quarters but needed straight set wins against Albert Ramos and Richard Gasquet to make the final. It’s Edmund’s first title of 2018.

Monfils, who has suffered through a poor season, defeated Ruben Bemelmans, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (in 3 sets), Vasek Pospisil, and Diego Schwartzman to reach the final.

Nicolas Mahut and Edouard Roger-Vasselin teamed up to defeat Demoliner/Gonzalez in the doubles final.

ATP Moscow

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Home hero Karen Khachanov won his second ATP title of the season, defeating Adrian Mannarino in a 6-2 6-2 drubbing. Lukas Rosol, Mirza Basic, and Daniil Medvedev also lost to Khachanov, with Medvedev dropping the semifinal match in three sets.

Mannarino blitzed past Evgeny Karlovisky, Marco Cecchinato, Egor Gerasimov, and Andreas Seppi to reach the final, continuing his credible run of results after hitting age 30.

Americans Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram combined to win the doubles title defeating Mirnyi/Oswald.

ATP Stockholm

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Young gun Stefanos Tsitsipas continued his rise on the ATP tour, defeating Ernests Gulbis 6-4 6-4, after previously scoring wins against John Millman, Philipp Kohlschreiber, and Fabio Fognini. The win is the maiden ATP title for Tsitsipas.

Gulbis making the final is a blast from the past, now 30, he reached his first ATP final since 2014. He came through qualifying then defeated Mikael Ymer, Denis Shapovalov, Jack Sock, and John Isner showing he can still be a factor at the ATP level.

Brits Luke Bambridge and Jonny O’Mara combined to win the doubles title defeating Koolhof/Daniell

ATP Basel

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7-6 6-4 was the scoreline as Roger Federer won ATP title #99, this one in his home country of Switzerland against Marius Copil after previously dropping sets against Filip Krajinovic and Gilles Simon. Federer was hot and cold this week as he also scored wins against J.L. Struff, and Daniil Medvedev. In the end though he once again lifted the trophy in Basel and now has a shot to take title 100 before the year’s end.

Copil reached his second career ATP final, as he’s had a breakthrough 2018.  Copil qualified then defeated Ryan Harrison, Marin Cilic, Taylor Fritz, and Alexander Zverev to reach the final. The wins against Cilic and Zverev both of elite quality, as we should see Copil burst into the ATP top 50 next season.

Dominic Inglot and Franko Skugor defeated the Zverev brothers in the doubles final.

ATP Vienna

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Tour veteran Kevin Anderson won his second ATP title of 2018, defeating Kei Nishikori in straight sets after previously defeating Nikoloz Basilashvili, Borna Coric, and Fernando Verdasco to reach the final, Jurgen Melzer surrendered a walkover in round 2. Nishikori continued his solid season with wins against Frances Tiafoe, Karen Khachanov, Dominic Thiem, and Mikhail Kukushkin. The win against Thiem was a big one as Thiem was playing in his home tournament in Vienna.

Joe Salisbury and Ken Skupski defeated Mike Bryan and Edouard Roger-Vasselin in the doubles final.

 

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Grass Court Season Concludes With ATP 250 @TennisHalloFame

Posted by Admin on July 15, 2018
Posted in: ATP, Newport, Steen Kirby. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Grass Court Season Concludes With ATP 250 Newport
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

The ATP 250 in Newport at the Tennis Hall of Fame concludes the grass court season and begins the North American summer of tennis. Here is your look at all the action.

Top Half:

Adrian Mannarino will begin against James Duckworth or Jordan Thompson, Mannarino is a great grass court player so he should beat Thompson and Gilles Muller to reach the semis. Muller’s path is Marcos Baghdatis, then Marcel Granollers or a qualifier. While Muller is usually good on grass, his poor form means Mannarino has a decided edge.

Steve Johnson did not have a good grass court season, but back in the States he should get past a qualifier or Christian Harrison before running into Alex De Minaur, one of the breakthrough young guns this year and a player who did have a great grass season. De Minaur should eke past the big serving Ivo Karlovic, then defeat Dudi Sela or a qualifier, with De Minaur favored to emerge from this section.

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Bottom Half:

Mischa Zverev should ease past Donald Young/Vasek Pospisil and then defeat Denis Kudla after Kudla defeats Ruben Bemelmans and Ramkumar Ramanathan/qualifier. Zverev has won a title on grass this year and he has a great shot to do it again if he can get past a tough grass court player in Kudla.

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Matt Ebden faces Bjorn Fratangelo or Tim Smyczek then should run into Sergiy Stakhovsky in the quarters. Stako will face Jason Jung, coming off success on the challenger tour, then Nicolas Mahut or Ryan Harrison, with Harrison likely falling victim to a tough section full of good grass court players. Ebden vs. Zverev is my bottom half semifinal.

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Predictions

Semis
Mannarino d. De Minaur
Zverev d. Ebden

Any of these four players could emerge as champion on this surface, but Mannarino and Zverev should make the final with Zverev continuing his recent success to lift another title.

Final
Zverev d. Mannarino

Mischa Zverev Wins Maiden ATP Title while Dzumhur Claims Third in Wimbledon Warm Up

Posted by Admin on June 30, 2018
Posted in: Antalya, ATP, Eastbourne, Steen Kirby. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Mischa Zverev Wins Maiden ATP Title while Dzumhur Claims Third in Wimbledon Warm Up
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

ATP Eastbourne

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By a score of 6-4 6-4 Mischa Zverev, a 30 year old tour veteran and for many years an ATP Challenger Tour journeyman, stepped up and captured his first ATP title, defeating Lukas Lacko in the final. Zverev, contesting a third career final, edged Lacko after previously dropping just a set this week. In his opening match he needed 3 sets to defeat Nicolas Jarry but things got easier from there as his serve and volley game led him past Steve Johnson, Denis Shapovalov, and Mikhail Kukushkin to reach the final.

Lacko, normally a challenger player, found form at the ATP level to defeat Roberto Quiroz, Diego Schwartzman, Cam Norrie, and Marco Cecchinato, dropping just a set to Schwartzman prior to the final. Despite their success at this 250 level tournament, it would be surprise if Zverev or Lacko featured in a major way at Wimbledon.

British pairing Bambridge/O’Mara defeated the Skupski brothers in the doubles final.

ATP Antalya

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#2 seed Damir Dzumhur won his third career ATP title, defeating Adrian Mannarino 6-1 1-6 6-1 in an hour and a half final on grass courts in Turkey. The 250 level title continues to confirm Dzumhur’s rise on tour as the Bosnian slipped past Marius Copil then eased past Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Jiri Vesely to reach the final.

Mannarino having never won an ATP title, was hungry but came up just short. The quirky Frenchman defeated Ricardas Berankis, Joao Sousa, and Gael Monfils, upsetting Monfils in three sets to reach the final.

Demoliner/Gonzalez defeated Dutch pairing Arends/Middelkoop in the doubles final.

Gael Monfils Looks To Get Back on Track @Antalyaopen 250

Posted by Admin on June 24, 2018
Posted in: Antalya, ATP, Steen Kirby. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Gael Monfils Looks To Get Back on Track at the Antalya Open 250
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

The Antalya Open 250 is one of two final ATP warm up tournaments for Wimbledon and one of the last opportunities to gain ATP points on grass this season. Here is your look at all the action in Turkey this week.

Top Half:

Adrian Mannarino played good enough in Queens to suggest he’ll defeat Evgeny Donskoy/Ricardas Berankis in round 2 and then get past Florian Mayer or Joao Sousa in the quarters. I have Mayer defeating Mirza Basic in round 2, after Basic defeats Paolo Lorenzi.

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Gael Monfils vs Robin Haase looks to be the matchup in quarterfinal #2. Monfils should find form to defeat a qualifier or Marcos Baghdatis, while Haase needs to defeat a qualifier and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez or a qualifier. I’ll go with Monfils to win the quarterfinal contest.

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Bottom Half:

Marius Copil should have a good tournament with only Cem Ilkel and Damir Dzumhur standing in his path to the quarters. I’ll back Yuichi Sugita to continue his good form from Queens and defeat Guido Pella and Federico Delbonis/Pierre-Hugues Herbert and reach the quarters. Sugita over Copil is my pick at that stage.

Fernando Verdasco has a nice draw with Jiri Vesely/Jordan Thompson in the way in round 2, and Dusan Lajovic or a qualifier/Nikoloz Basilashvili/Roberto Carballes Baena awaiting in the quarters. Verdasco should win this section.

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Predictions

semis
Mannarino d. Monfils
Sugita d. Verdasco

Sugita just seems due for success in a smaller ATP tournament like this (he won the title last year), though Mannarino could just as easily take the title. Sugita beat him in the final last year.

final
Sugita d. Mannarino

Grass Court Season Kicks off With @LibemaOpen 250 in the Netherlands

Posted by Admin on June 10, 2018
Posted in: ATP, Den Bosch, Steen Kirby. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Grass Court Season Kicks off With Libema Open 250 in the Netherlands
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

If you are tired of the red clay, you’re in for a treat starting Monday. The ATP grass court season begins with the 250 stop in the Netherlands that is a joint event with the WTA. Here is your look at the field with predictions for the week ahead.

Top Half:

The second round match between Frenchmen Adrian Mannarino and Jeremy Chardy looks to be a great one. Chardy has to defeat Guillermo Garcia-Lopez first to get there. I’ll go with Mannarino to find his form back on a faster surface and reach the quarters. At that stage Italy’s Andreas Seppi should be his opponent. Seppi will need to edge Mackenzie McDonald and Vasek Pospisil or Alex Bolt to get that far. Mannarino is my pick to reach the semis.

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Matt Ebden is my dark horse pick this week. Pierre-Hugues Herbert comes off a doubles final in Paris and Gilles Muller is struggling (his round 1 and 2 opponents). Presuming he beats Muller he should defeat fellow journeyman Yuichi Sugita in the quarters. Sugita gets Nikoloz Basilashvili in round 1 (he struggles on grass), with Marius Copil or Aljaz Bedene to follow, both beatable opponents.

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Bottom Half:

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Tournament favorite Richard Gasquet draws Evgeny Donskoy or qualifier Franko Skugor in round 2. Gasquet should win and also defeat Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarters. The Greek opens with local wild card Tallon Griekspoor, Malek Jaziri or Max Purcell will follow.

Ivo Karlovic vs. Robin Haase looks like a crucial round 1 match. I’ll back the struggling veteran Karlovic to win that and also defeat Marcos Baghdatis or Bernard Tomic to reach the quarters. Tomic has a great chance in theory, but he’s far from consistent these days. Look for Karlvoic to face Daniil Medvedev in the quarters. Medvedev is good on grass and should upset Fernando Verdasco in round 2 after defeating Yuki Bhambri in round 1. I’ll back Karlovic to reach the semis.

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Predictions

Semis
Mannarino d. Ebden
Gasquet d. Karlovic

Mannarino beating Gasquet would be an upset but I’m not convinced Gasquet’s entirely fit and Mannarino is the type of player who badly needs points at the faster court tournaments like this.

Final
Mannarino d. Gasquet

Will Mannarino Man Up and Win First ATP Tour Level Title?

Posted by Admin on February 17, 2018
Posted in: ATP, New York, New York Open. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment
Adrian Mannarino

Adrian Mannarino

UNIONDALE, N.Y—Adrian Mannarino is a curious case. At 29, he’s playing some of his best tennis yet and he’s achieved a career high ranking at #25. But somehow, he’s earned less than $5 million on the pro tour and is the only player in the New York Open semifinals who has never hoisted a champions trophy at an ATP Tour level event.

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He can take care of both of those things here in New York in two matches. A title would vault Mannarino into the top 20 and the $119,000 winner’s check will put him just over $5,000,000 in career earnings. He’ll face Sam Querrey this afternoon, and although Querrey is ranked higher than Mannarino, the Frenchman has owned the American in their three prior meetings, including straight sets in Cincinnati last summer.

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It’s impressive enough to make the fourth round at Wimbledon, but I’m sure Mannarino would like some tour level hardware and I can’t imagine him not being motivated today in the semis.

Mannarino in 3.

Inaugural @NewYorkOpen 250 Features Kevin Anderson and Top Americans Including Ryan Harrison

Posted by Admin on February 11, 2018
Posted in: ATP, New York, New York Open, Steen Kirby. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Inaugural ATP New York 250 Features Kevin Anderson and Top Americans Including Ryan Harrison
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

The inaugural New York Open, a 250 on indoor hard courts in Long Island, New York, features black courts, most of the top American men on tour, and top seed Kevin Anderson, who was a finalist at the 2017 US Open in New York City. Who will find success at the first edition of this tournament?

Top Half:

Kevin Anderson reached the final in his only other ATP tournament this season, the 250 in Pune, and expectations are he’ll match that in New York. Anderson opens with a qualifier or Mackenzie McDonald. McDonald recently made a challenger final in Dallas, but Anderson will be the favorite. AO boys champion Sebastian Korda will make his ATP main draw debut against fellow young gun Frances Tiafoe. Nikoloz Basilashvili takes on Dudi Sela, Basilashvili over Tiafoe is my pick for round 2, with Anderson winning a quarterfinal against Basilashvili.

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John Isner will be happy to back on North American hard courts, where he makes a majority of his living. Isner looks set to face Kei Nishikori in the quarterfinals. He’ll need to beat Radu Albot/qualifier, to get there. Nishikori, coming back from injury and with a recent challenger title in the bag, faces Noah Rubin, with Victor Estrella/Evgeny Donskoy to follow. Nishikori, presuming he’s moving along with his comeback efforts, is my pick against Isner in the quarters.

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Bottom Half:

Sam Querrey has been poor to start 2018, but he’ll be the favorite against Matt Ebden or Mikhail Youzhny. I’ll back Ryan Harrison against Donald Young, Jared Donaldson/Ivo Karlovic, and Querrey. Harrison has points to defend this week, and though Karlovic and Querrey are tough, they are far from unbeatable right now.

Peter Gojowczky has dark horse potential, and he should at least beat a qualifier. Adrian Mannarino is the favorite to reach the quarters though. I’ll back Steve Johnson to beat a qualifier and then Jeremy Chardy/qualifier before falling to Mannarino in the quarters.

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Predictions

Semis
Anderson d. Nishikori
Harrison d. Mannarino

Anderson plays well on this surface, and should be fitter than Nishikori. Harrison at home should have a good week, but Anderson should be the favorite to take home the title with this unbalanced draw.

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Final
Anderson d. Harrison

Stan Wawrinka The Star at @sofiaopentennis 2018

Posted by Admin on February 5, 2018
Posted in: ATP, Sofia, Steen Kirby. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Stan Wawrinka The Star at ATP Sofia 2018
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

Here is your look at the 2018 Diema Xtra Sofia Open, an ATP 250 indoor hard court tournament in Bulgaria, one of the few ATP tour stops in Eastern Europe.

Top Half

Despite struggling on his return to the tour from injury in Melbourne, Stan Wawrinka is very much the man in Sofia. Wawrinka, presuming he’s fit, should be able to fire past wild card Alexander Donski or a qualifier, and then Denis Istomin/Viktor Troicki in the quarters (wild card Adrian Andreev and a qualifier are also options).

Max Marterer reached the third round in Melbourne, Malek Jaziri and Joao Sousa/Dimitar Kuzmanov isn’t the easiest path, but I’ll still back him to reach the quarters opposite his countryman Philipp Kohlschreiber. Kohli takes on Sergiy Stakhovsky or a qualifier in round 2 after struggling to start the season. Marterer over Kohlschreiber is my upset pick for the tournament.

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Bottom Half

A couple of Davis Cup participants could reprise their matchup in the semifinals if things go according to plan. Adrian Mannarino takes on Marcos Baghdatis or Mikhail Kukushkin, who also played DC this weekend. From there he would face either Evgeny Donskoy or Lukas Lacko in the quarters. I have Lacko beating Donskoy and Radu Albot/qualifier before falling to Mannarino.

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Robin Haase fell to Mannarino in the Davis Cup on the weekend, he faces Marius Copil, Blaz Kavcic/Laslo Djere will follow. He should reach the quarters but I’ll back Gilles Muller to beat Andreas Seppi/Mikhail Youzhny and Haase to reach the semis.

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Predictions

Semis
Wawrinka d. Marterer
Muller d. Mannarino

Muller has a great shot to take the title, but Wawrinka is the best player in the field, even at 80% of his abilities. Presuming he’s gotten enough practice in since losing in Melbourne, Wawrinka is the favorite.

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Final
Wawrinka d. Muller

Alexander Zverev’s Germany and Team USA Surge into Davis Cup Quarterfinals

Posted by Admin on February 5, 2018
Posted in: Davis Cup, Steen Kirby. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Alexander Zverev’s Germany and Team USA Surge into Davis Cup Quarterfinals
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

Davis Cup action concluded on Sunday with one major upset and some otherwise interesting action on the weekend, highlighted by Germany upsetting Australia on the road, and Team USA dealing with a tricky road test against Serbia. Here is your full recap.

France d. Netherlands 3-1

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Despite Thiemo De Bakker’s opening rubber upset of Adrian Mannarino, the French team staved off the upset minded Dutch thanks to a big win from Mannarino against Robin Haase in five sets on Sunday. Richard Gasquet had beaten Haase on Friday, and Haase and Jean-Julien Rojer fell in doubles against Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert on Saturday. The defending champions remain alive and face Italy on the road next.

Italy d. Japan 3-1

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Fabio Fognini won a pair of five set matches, the first over Taro Daniel, and the second over Yuichi Sugita to push Italy through to the quarters. Fognini also won the doubles rubber paired with Simone Bolelli, and Sugita’s win over Andreas Seppi was the only joy for the home Japanese side. The weekend of Davis Cup was likely tiring for Fognini, but perhaps will inspire him on the ATP tour in coming weeks.

Spain d. Great Britain 3-1

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Cam Norrie came back from 2 sets down on clay to stun Roberto Bautista Agut, despite having practically no professional experience on the surface. He temporarily gave the underdog Brits hope. Spain didn’t let that hope go much further though, Albert Ramos beat Norrie on Sunday, and Liam Broady on Friday, and Pablo Carreno Busta/Feliciano Lopez beat Dominic Inglot/Jamie Murray in doubles. Spain hosts Germany next.

Germany d. Australia 3-1

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Alexander Zverev pulled off consecutive gutsy wins against Alex De Minaur (in five sets) and Nick Kyrgios to propel Germany into the quarterfinals. Kyrgios beat J.L. Struff in his other singles match, but a massive result for Struff and his partner Tim Puetz in doubles against Matthew Ebden and John Peers was perhaps what swung the entire tie.

Kazakhstan d. Switzerland 4-1

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Despite lacking in big name talent, Kazakhstan continues to produce results in the Davis Cup. It was a live rubber sweep for the Kazakh’s, Dmitry Popko and team leader Mikhail Kukushkin beat Henri Laaksonen and Adrian Bodmer in singles, and then Timur Khabibulin and Aleksandr Nedovyesov sealed the tie with a doubles win against Marc-Andrea Huesler/Luca Margaroli. The dead rubbers were split.

Croatia d. Canada 3-1

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Croatia’s Borna Coric scored wins against Canada’s Vasek Pospisil and Denis Shapovalov in singles to send his country into the quarters opposite Kazakhstan. Shapovalov’s victory over Viktor Galovic ended up being of no importance, as Pospisil and Daniel Nestor fell in doubles from 2 sets to love up against Marin Cilic and Ivan Dodig. Playing on the road, and on clay, was too much for Canada.

USA d. Serbia 3-1 

Team USA will host Belgium after Sam Querrey, John Isner, and Ryan Harrison/Steve Johnson dominated a weak Serbian side on the road, and on clay. Laslo Djere, Dusan Lajovic, and Miljan Zekic/Nikola Milojevic all went down in defeat. Johnson lost a dead rubber.

Belgium d. Hungary 3-2

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The defending finalists were tested by Hungary, but prevailed, Ruben Bemelmans and David Goffin gave the Belgians a 2-0 lead after defeating Marton Fucsovics and Attila Balazs. The Hungarian pair defeated Bemelmans and Joris De Loore in doubles, but Goffin sealed the tie with a win against the rising Fucsovics.

Action outside the world group

Ties in America’s group 1 were set for round 2, Argentina will face Chile, and Brazil will travel to Colombia. In Asia, India faces China and Uzbekistan will take on Pakistan. In Europe it will be Israel traveling to the Czech Republic, Sweden hosting Portugal, Slovakia against Bosnia, and Austria facing Russia.

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2018 @sydneytennis Preview and Predictions: Simon and De Minaur Look to Continue Momentum

Posted by Admin on January 6, 2018
Posted in: ATP, Steen Kirby, Sydney. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

2018 ATP Sydney Preview and Predictions: Simon and De Minaur Look to Continue Momentum
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

The Sydney International, a 250 on hard courts, is one of the final two ATP tournaments before the 2018 Australian Open. it doesn’t have an elite field by any measure but it is wide open for a new ATP champion to emerge.

Top Half:

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It’s a great draw for wild card Jordan Thompson, Thompson faces dirtballer Paolo Lorenzi, who hasn’t won a match since the US Open last year, then he should go up against top seed Albert Ramos, who isn’t the most comfortable on hard courts either. Gilles Simon was an effective brick wall in Pune, he took home the title and presuming fitness he should defeat Jared Donaldson. Given the fatigue factor I have him falling to Philipp Kohlschreiber in the quarters. Kohlschreiber had a solid year on hard court last season and he should be fresher than Simon and also better than Thompson.

Alexandr Dolgopolov played very well in Brisbane, winning a pair of matches and reaching the quarters. His first round opponent Viktor Troicki is struggling so he should win that and also defeat Italy’s Fabio Fognini, another streaky player on hard courts. Adrian Mannarino had a career year in 2017 winning 33 matches at the ATP level and he should build on that in 2018. I have Mannarino making a run, beating a qualifier, Alex Bolt/qualifier, and Dolgopolov to reach the semis.

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Bottom Half:

Wild card John Millman has a solid draw to look forward to, Gilles Muller continues to struggle and he’s the #2 seed. Millman should beat a qualifier and then Muller to slide into the quarters opposite Benoit Paire. I back Paire to defeat Aljaz Bedene and Mischa Zverev/Leo Mayer to reach the quarters. Paire played well in Pune reaching the semis. I’ll pick Paire to reach the semis, he certainly has the ability.

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Diego Schwartzman didn’t win a match in Brisbane, but Feliciano Lopez was disappointing on hard courts last year and didn’t start the year great either. I’ll back Schwartzman to reach the quarters opposite Fernando Verdasco. Verdasco has a tough opening match against Brisbane semifinalist Alex De Minaur who will have the fans fully in his corner. Fatigue should play a factor though, and Verdasco finished 2017 strong and played solid in Doha. Look for Verdasco to defeat J.L. Struff or Damir Dzumhur in round 2, and then Schwartzman in the quarters.

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Predictions

Semis
Mannarino d. Kohlschreiber
Verdasco d. Paire

Mannarino’s steadily improving and tricky game should earn him an ATP title this week in a wide open field. Verdasco has a great forehand against Paire’s amazing backhand and that match could go either way.

Final
Mannarino d. Verdasco