Roberto Bautista Agut

The five ATP 250 level hard court stops in the run-up to the Australian Open saw five different players claim titles and find form during the first portion of the 2019 season. Here is your look at all of January’s ATP action.

ATP Doha

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Roberto Bautista Agut claimed a 9th career ATP title defeating Tomas Berdych 6-4 3-6 6-3 in the final, after stunning world #1 Novak Djokovic 3-6 7-6(6) 6-4 in the semifinals, one of the best wins of his career. The Spaniard also claimed wins against Matteo Berrettini, Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, and Stan Wawrinka.

It was a great comeback tournament for Berdych who beat Philipp Kohlschreiber, Fernando Verdasco, Pierre Hugues Herbert and Marco Cecchinato. David Goffin and Herbert won the doubles title over Haase/Middelkoop.

ATP Chennai

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Kevin Anderson is a dark horse for the Australian Open title and he was the player to beat in India, capturing the Chennai title 7-6 6-7 7-6 over fellow big serving veteran Ivo Karlovic. Gilles Simon, Jaume Munar, and Laslo Djere also fell to Anderson as he didn’t drop a set until the final. Karlovic, the oldest top level player on tour, defeated Felix Auger Aliassime, Evgeny Donskoy, Ernests Gulbis, and Steve Darcis, a veteran on the comeback trail.

Home heroes Bopanna and Sharan defeated Bambridge/O’Mara in the doubles final.

ATP Brisbane

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Kei Nishikori came through as the favorite in Brisbane, defeating rising Russian Daniil Medvedev 6-4 3-6 6-2 in the final. Nishikori didn’t drop a set prior to the final, racking up wins against Denis Kudla, Grigor Dimitrov, and Jeremy Chardy. Medvedev’s path to the final was defeating Andy Murray, Milos Raonic, and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, three capable and crafty veterans.

Marcus Daniell and Wesley Koolhof beat Ram/Salisbury in the doubles final.

ATP Sydney

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Sydney native Alex De Minaur triumphed at home for his maiden ATP title. The Demon edged tour veteran Andreas Seppi 7-5 7-6 for his 5th straight match win. ADM defeated Dusan Lajovic, Reilly Opelka, Jordan Thompson, and Gilles Simon to reach the final, he didn’t drop a set all week.

The veteran Seppi was happy to find form in what was a challenging tournament for him. Jeremy Chardy, Martin Klizan, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Diego Schwartzman were his victims on the week in some nip and tuck matches.

Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares defeated the Colombians Cabal/Farah in the doubles final.

ATP Auckland

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Tennys Sandgren has a lot of points to defend in Melbourne, but he enters the AO in great form after claiming his first career ATP title. Sandgren won Auckland without dropping a set this week. Sandgren blitzed past Cam Norrie who grew up in Auckland. Max Marterer, Marco Cecchinato, Leonardo Mayer, and Philipp Kohlschreiber were all defeated by Sandgren.

Norrie defeated Benoit Paire, Joao Sousa, Taylor Fritz and J.L. Struff to reach the final. Ben McLachlan/ Jan-Lennard Struff defeated Klaasen/Venus in the doubles final.

Veterans Djokovic, Berdych, and Wawrinka Contesting 2019 ATP Doha
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

The 2019 ATP 250 in Doha, Qatar has Novak Djokovic as the star attraction (including a pairing with brother Marko for doubles), but resurgent veterans Stan Wawrinka and Tomas Berdych are still gunning for the title and have advanced to the quarterfinals. What will the rest of the tournament hold?

Quarters

Novak Djokovic vs Nikoloz Basilashvili

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Both of the seeds advanced to the quarterfinals, with world #1 Djokovic heavily favored against Georgian #1 Basilashvili. Both players have dropped sets this week, with Djokovic’s lost set to Marton Fucsovics a massive surprise. Presuming he’s motivated Djokovic should be too good in this matchup though, after beating Damir Dzumhur and Fucsovics. Basilashvili defeated Albert Ramos and Andrey Rublev.

Stan Wawrinka vs Roberto Bautista Agut

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Tennis fans would love to see a revitalized Wawrinka making waves on tour. The Swiss veteran has a great shot against steady baseliner Bautista Agut after he upset Karen Khachanov in straights and followed that upset with a win against Nicolas Jarry. RBA has been solid, dropping just 5 games in each match (wins against Matteo Berrettini and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez). Wawrinka should be highly motivated though and I have a feeling he’ll rise to the occasion and notch an upset.

Dusan Lajovic vs Marco Cecchinato

Wins against Adrian Mannarino and Ricardas Berankis have lifted Lajovic to the quarters while Marco Cecchinato eased past Sergiy Stakhovsky and then got a walkover into the quarters. Cecchinato is still learning the ropes on hard courts, and though he’s very talented, Lajovic should have a slight edge.

Tomas Berdych vs Pierre-Hugues Herbert

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Both of these players have been disappointing lately, Berdych has been injured and considered retirement, but now he’s come back and earned wins against crafty veterans Philipp Kohlschreiber and Fernando Verdasco. PHH hopes to improve as a singles player this year and a stunning win against a listless Dominic Thiem, followed up by a three set tiebreak win against Max Marterer, will give him a lot of confidence heading into this matchup. Berdych is hard to read right now but he should be favored if he’s fit.

Projected Semifinals
Djokovic d. Wawrinka
Berdych d. Lajovic

This is Djokovic’s title to lose, but if he loses interest Wawrinka or RBA will benefit. I expect Berdych to make a run to the final at this point and fall just short, in what would be a huge result for him.

Projected Final
Djokovic d. Berdych

Final ATP Masters Of The Season in Paris Features Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

The final full field ATP tournament of the season in Paris kicks off Monday as players look to either build for 2019 or finish 2018 in the best form. Here is your look at all the action from the Paris indoor Masters.

Nadal’s Quarter

Presuming he’s fit, Rafael Nadal will be favored against Fernando Verdasco/Jeremy Chardy, Richard Gasquet should be up in the third round at home, Gasquet will be favored against Denis Shapovalov and a struggling Jack Sock. Borna Coric should also make a run, Coric takes on Daniil Medvedev or Pablo Carreno Busta, if he gets past an in-form Medvedev it’ll be Dominic Thiem or Gilles Simon/Lucas Pouille. I’ll take Coric over Simon, with Coric facing Nadal in the quarters.

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Zverev’s Quarter

Alexander Zverev has reached consecutive semifinals, he’ll be heavily favored to reach the quarters in Paris as a path of Frances Tiafoe/Nicolas Mahut, and Diego Schwartzman (or Feliciano Lopez/Alex De Minaur) on deck. Zverev has the best form of anyone in this section and he could reach the quarters without dropping a set.

John Isner takes on Pierre-Hugues Herbert or Mikhail Kukushkin, while Kyle Edmund faces Karen Khachanov/Filip Krajinovic. Khachanov is in good form and I’ll back him to emerge into the quarters defeating Krajinovic, Edmund, and Isner before falling to Zverev.

Federer’s Quarter

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After winning Basel, Roger Federer‘s path to the quarters looks clear with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or Milos Raonic both in poor form and first up, while Fabio Fognini should get past Marton Fucsovics/Benoit Paire before falling to Federer in round 3.

Kei Nishikori just fell to Kevin Anderson in the Vienna file and they should matchup again as Nishikori has just Adrian Mannarino/Ugo Humbert in his way while Anderson has to defeat Nikoloz Basilashvili/John Millman. I’ll take Anderson over Nishikori for a spot in the quarters.

Djokovic’s Quarter

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Novak Djokovic will start against Marco Cecchinato or Joao Sousa, with Stefanos Tsitsipas likely to defeat Peter Gojowczyk/Damir Dzumhur before facing Djokovic in round 3. Djokovic defeating Tsitsipas is the smart choice from this section, though an upset is possible.

I’ll back Roberto Bautista Agut to get past Steve Johnson, Grigor Dimitrov, and Marin Cilic to reach the quarters. Cilic and Dimitrov are struggling, though Cilic should still defeat Philipp Kohlschreiber/Robin Haase in round 2.

Predictions

Quarters

Coric d. Nadal
Zverev d. Khachanov
Federer d. Anderson
Djokovic d. Bautista Agut

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I’ll back Coric and Zverev to continue their form and make a run, Federer and Djokovic look to be on a collision course as well.

Semis
Zverev d. Coric
Djokovic d. Federer

Djokovic will be the favorite in Paris, though Zverev/Coric could certainly take it.

Final
Djokovic d. Zverev

ATP World Tour Continues Tour of China With 500 Stop in Beijing
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

The ATP 500 in Beijing is the third of four ATP stops in China this year, and features a stronger field than the previous two events combined. Here is your look at the action this week.

Top Half:

While he faces credible opposition, under no circumstances should Juan Martin Del Potro not be favored to reach the semifinals as his path of Albert Ramos, Sam Querrey/Karen Khachanov, and likely Borna Coric in the quarters is not incredibly burdensome. Coric opens with Feliciano Lopez, Filip Krajinovic or Mischa Zverev are set to follow. Del Potro is the best form player in this section and the most talented, so he should take it.

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Section 2 is weak and unpredictable, #4 seed Fabio Fognini is in good form but will likely be fatigued, meaning that qualifier Radu Albot has a genuine shot at an upset. Joao Sousa made a semifinal last week and should be favored against a struggling Andrey Rublev. I’ll back Sousa in this section defeating Albot in round 2. Marton Fucsovics should edge Andreas Seppi in round 1, while Marcos Baghdatis is better on hard courts than #8 seed Marco Cecchinato. Sousa over Fucsovics is my pick for the section after Fucsovics defeats Baghdatis.

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Bottom Half:

Section 4 of the draw should see some upsets as I’ll back Roberto Bautista Agut to upset Alexander Zverev in round 1, and Gael Monfils to upset Fernando Verdasco. Monfils should go on to beat Nikoloz Basilashvili/Jack Sock, while RBA will be favored against Malek Jaziri/Yibing Wu. RBA is better than his current unseeded ranking and Monfils has to make a run at some point. RBA over Monfils is my pick in this section.

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I’ll back Kyle Edmund to rebound from a recent slump and have a good tournament, Edmund has a path of Peter Gojowczyk, Matteo Berrettini/Leonardo Mayer, and probably Ryan Harrison/Grigor Dimitrov to reach the semis. I’m not sold on Dimitrov right now, and I’ll take Harrison in an upset. Dusan Lajovic faces fellow qualifier Vasek Pospisil in this section, with Edmund over Harrison my pick.

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Predictions

Semis
Del Potro d. Sousa
Bautista Agut d. Edmund

The Tower of Tandil’s strong season should continue, meanwhile the veteran RBA looks set to have a strong week, though he’ll be an underdog in the final.

Final
Del Potro d. Bautista Agut

Basilashvili and Berrettini Claim First ATP Titles in Hamburg and Gstaad
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

ATP Hamburg

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By a score of 6-4 0-6 7-6 Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili claimed his maiden ATP title, lifting the Hamburg 500 crown against finalist Leonardo Mayer, a player who has made great improvements in his career standing thanks to the Hamburg tournament.

Basilashvili had to battle this week as he came through qualifying with a pair of wins. He then upset Phillipp Kohlschreiber on home clay in three sets, defeated accomplished clay courters Pablo Cuevas and Pablo Carreno Busta in straights, and then edged Nicolas Jarry in three sets in the semis. Against both Jarry and Mayer Basilashvili was bageled in the second set but won anyway as he showed streaky form this week.

Mayer defeated Albert Ramos, Gael Monfils, Diego Schwartzman, and Jozef Kovalik to reach the final, he needed three sets against both DSS and Kovalik, with the win against Kovalik coming in a third set tiebreak.

Peralta and Zeballos defeated Marach/Pavic in the doubles final, concluding the ATP 500 series on clay for 2018.

ATP Gstaad

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In the Gstaad 250 rapidly rising Italian Matteo Berrettini claimed his first title, upsetting Roberto Bautista Agut 7-6 6-4. Berrettini completed the double this week as he won the doubles title with his Italian partner Bracciali against Molchanov/Zelenay in straights.

The 22 year old from Rome has built himself this season and last on the challenger tour and in qualifying. This tournament he got past Radu Albot, Andrey Rublev, Feliciano Lopez, and Jurgen Zopp without dropping a set. The final win meaning he didn’t drop a set all week despite being an underdog in a couple of matches.

RBA put in a solid performance defeated Jaume Munar in three sets, Taro Daniel in straights, and Laslo Djere in three sets to reach the final.

Right now Italian tennis is having a resurgence as Fabio Fognini, Marco Cecchinato, and Berrettini are in good form, particularly on clay, and should form a formidable Davis Cup trio in the ties to come.

Fabio Fognini The Top Seed at ATP Gstaad
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

The ATP 250 in Gstaad is played on clay and will feature a host of European and South American players vying for the title. Here is your full preview, with predictions.

Top Half:

The champion of Bastad, Fabio Fognini, should face off with the in-form Yannick Hanfmann in a challenging round 2 match. Hanfmann has to get past fellow qualifier Jurgen Zopp first. I’ll pick Hanfmann in an upset as Fognini, if he plays, should be fatigued after winning Bastad. I also have Joao Sousa falling in an upset against qualifier Facundo Bagnis, with Bagnis defeating Nicolas Almagro or Marc-Andrea Huesler in the second round. Hanfmann should emerge from the section.

Andrey Rublev should be good enough to get past Matteo Berrettini (or Radu Albot) in round 2, with Guido Pella a player in great form in Umag, defeating Paolo Lorenzi before facing off with countryman Federico Delbonis (or Feliciano Lopez) in round 2. Delbonis is my pick to win the section with Pella likely fatigued.

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Bottom Half:

Presuming he’s fit Roberto Bautista Agut should defeat Jaume Munar or Adrian Menendez-Maceiras to reach the quarterfinals. I have him facing Taro Daniel that stage, as Daniel should get past a struggling Elias Ymer and the Guillermo Garcia-Lopez/Roberto Carballes Baena winner. RBA is the favorite in this section.

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Borna Coric will begin against Laslo Djere or Denis Istomin, Coric has been pedestrian on clay this year and Djere could trouble him. Robin Haase is playing well and should defeat Viktor Galovic, and the Felix Auger-Aliassime/Guido Andreozzi in the second round. Haase over Coric is my pick for this section.

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Predictions

Semis
Delbonis d. Hanfmann
Haase d. Bautista Agut

I’ll back Robin Haase to lift the trophy this week in what should be a week for dark horses to post solid results on the clay.

Final
Haase d. Delbonis

Rafael Nadal Looks to Stay Unbeaten On Clay At ATP Madrid 2018
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

The Madrid Masters 1000 is the second of three ATP Masters on clay, and another chance for Spaniard Rafael Nadal to show off his legendary talents on clay, and for now, extend his unbeaten streak on the surface. Here is your full preview with predictions.

Nadal’s Quarter

Nadal hasn’t lost on clay this year and will open against Gael Monfils or a qualifier, I have him facing countryman Pablo Andujar in round 3. Andujar opens with fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez, presuming he wins that it will be a struggling Diego Schwartzman or Adrian Mannarino in round 2. Nadal over Andujar is the pick for round 3.

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Dominic Thiem will begin against a qualifier or Mischa Zverev, I’ll back Thiem to win that and defeat Pablo Carreno Busta or Borna Coric in round 3 to reach the quarters. The winner of PCB/Coric takes on J.L. Struff or a qualifier in round 2.

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Del Potro’s Quarter

Juan Martin Del Potro should open his clay court season with a win over Damir Dzumhur or Julien Benneteau, I’ll back Richard Gasquet to edge Tomas Berdych and Karen Khachanov/qualifier before falling to Del Potro in the third round.

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Kevin Anderson faces Roberto Carballes Baena or a qualifier, while Roberto Bautista Agut drew Jared Donaldson followed by Yuichi Sugita or Philipp Kohlschreiber. Kohli, a current finalist in Munich, is likely going to face fatigue, and I’ll back Bautista Agut over Anderson in round 3.

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Dimitrov’s Quarter

Grigor Dimitrov will get a big matchup with Milos Raonic or a qualifier, his third round tilt should be a bit easier with Benoit Paire/Lucas Pouiille or Denis Shapovalov/Tennys Sandgren featuring. No one in this section is in great form besides Dimitrov, I have Paire winning a pair of matches before falling to the Bulgarian.

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Kei Nishikori vs. Novak Djokovic is the match of the first round, both players are formerly elite and hoping to return to form with Madrid presenting a great opportunity. I’m more confident in Nishikori right now, and I have him beating Djokovic and Kyle Edmund/Daniil Medvedev to reach round 3. David Goffin has a great shot at making a run if he can get past Hyeon Chung (or Robin Haase) in round 2. I’ll go with Nishikori over Goffin in a challenging section of the draw.

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Zverev’s Quarter

Both Alexander Zverev and his potential 2nd round opponent Stefanos Tsitipas are currently in ATP finals (Munich and Estoril). I’ll go with Zverev to defeat Tsitipas/qualifier and Fabio Fognini to reach the quarters. Fognini opens with Leonardo Mayer, Paolo Lorenzi or Fernando Verdasco will follow.

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America’s #1 and #2 John Isner and Jack Sock are in the same section. I have Sock being upset by Pablo Cuevas, with Cuevas going on to defeat Albert Ramos/Peter Gojowczyk in round 2. Isner should defeat Guillermo Garcia-Lopez or Ryan Harrison to reach the third round, and I’ll go with Isner over Cuevas at that stage.

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Predictions

Quarters
Nadal d. Thiem
Del Potro d. Bautista Agut
Nishikori d. Dimitrov
Isner d. Zverev

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Nadal is the heavy favorite against Thiem, but did lose to him on clay last year. Del Potro and Nishikori should have good weeks, while Isner benefits from his draw.

Semis
Nadal d. Del Potro
Nishikori d. Isner

Look for Nishikori to have a solid week, and Nadal to stay unbeaten on clay, taking home another title.

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Final
Nadal d. Nishikori

Home Hero Alexander Zverev Leads Stacked ATP Munich Field
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

Young guns Alexander Zverev and Hyeon Chung are among the top 4 seeds at the 2018 BMW Open 250 on clay in Munich. Here is your full preview, with predictions.

Top Half:

A semifinalist in Monte Carlo, home favorite Alexander Zverev will start against Marcos Baghdatis or Yannick Hanfmann, with another German likely lurking in the quarterfinals. Yannick Maden takes on Yuichi Sugita, while J.L. Struff takes on qualifier Daniel Masur. Both Struff and Maden are playing well, with Maden close to a breakthrough. I’ll go with Zverev over Struff in an all-German quarterfinal.

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Hyeon Chung and Gael Monfils are both a joy to watch and could meet in the quarterfinals. Chung takes on Mikhail Kukushkin or Matthias Bachinger, while Monfils should get past Mirza Basic before running into Florian Mayer or Martin Klizan. Klizan qualified, and I have his fantastic form helping him get past Mayer, Monfils, and Chung to be a dark horse semifinalist.

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Bottom Half:

Roberto Bautista Agut is slated to take on Marius Copil or Casper Ruud, RBA should defeat Ruud and Philipp Kohlschreiber in the quarters. I have Kohli beating Ivo Karlovic and Mischa Zverev/Andreas Haider-Maurer to reach the quarters.

Fabio Fognini takes on his countryman, Marco Cecchinato in the opening round. Cecchinato just won in Budapest, but Fognini should defeat him and Guido Pella/Marton Fucsovics to reach the quarters. I’ll back Diego Schwartzman to beat Dustin Brown and Max Marterer to get to the same stage, with Fognini reaching the semis.

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Predictions

Semis
Zverev d. Klizan
Bautista Agut d. Fognini

Zverev should be favored to win the title at home, but RBA and Klizan could surprise.

Final
Zverev d. Bautista Agut

2018 ATP Indian Wells Preview and Predictions: It’s Roger Federer’s Title to Lose
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

The 2018 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells starts off the ATP Masters 1000 season. Roger Federer is the top seed and a heavy favorite. Novak Djokovic and Kei Nishikori feature in the field, coming back from injuries. Grigor Dimitrov, Alexander Zverev, and Marin Cilic round out the top 4 seeds. Here is your full preview, with predictions.

Federer’s Quarter

The defending champion Roger Federer should face American Ryan Harrison in round 2 (Harrison beating Federico Delbonis round 1). Look for Federer to continue his undefeated season into round 4, as Filip Krajinovic/Benoit Paire/Mitch Krueger should prove no trouble in round 3.

Adrian Mannarino and Fabio Fognini look set to clash in the third round.Mannarino should beat Marius Copil or Peter Polansky, while Fognini should have the edge against Julien Benneteau/Jeremy Chardy. I’ll back Mannarino on a hard court to reach round 4.

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Hyeon Chung has put together a solid 2018 and I’ll back the young Korean to defeat Lukas Lacko/Dusan Lajovic, and then Tomas Berdych in round 3. Berdych will face Ivo Karlovic/Max Marterer in round 2, Chung is playing better than the veteran Czech this year.

Some of tennis rising stars are in section #4 of the draw. Dominic Thiem should face Greek young gun Stefanos Tsitsipas in round 2, while Denis Shapovalov will face Ricardas Berankis, then Pablo Cuevas. Thiem is the strongest in the section and should beat Shapovalov in round 3.

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Dimitrov’s Quarter

Grigor Dimitrov has an outside shot at taking the IW title. The Bulgarian will face a tricky test in Fernando Verdasco in round 2 (or Guido Pella), with Russia’s Andrey Rublev likely in round 3. These matches should challenge Dimitrov but he should prevail. Rublev faces Reilly Opelka/Taylor Fritz in round 2.

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Roberto Bautista Agut won Dubai and should ease past Jared Donaldson/Evan King, and then Borna Coric in the third round. Coric has a relatively smooth path of Donald Young and Albert Ramos to reach round 3.

A struggling Pablo Carreno Busta faces Horacio Zeballos or Yuichi Sugita in round 2. I’ll back Sugita in an upset. Nick Kyrgios should benefit, presuming he can defeat Steve Johnson/Daniil Medvedev in round 2. Kyrgios over Sugita is my pick for the section.

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The red hot Kevin Anderson looks set to defeat Karen Khachanov/Evgeny Donskoy, and then Damir Dzumhur (or Jiri Vesely/Nicolas Kicker) to reach the round of 16.

Zverev’s Quarter

With both Feliciano Lopez and Jack Sock in mediocre form, Frances Tiafoe should benefit. The Delray champ opens with Ernesto Escobedo, Lopez will follow, with Sock likely in round 3 (presuming Sock beats Thomas Fabbiano/Bradley Klahn in round 2). I’ll back the rising Tiafoe to post a great result.

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Lucas Pouille has been fantastic in 2018, he’ll face his countryman Nicolas Mahut or Yuki Bhambri before most likely facing California’s Sam Querrey in round 3. Querrey has struggled in 2018 and has Mikhail Kukushkin/Mischa Zverev first up. I’ll go with Pouille over Querrey in round 3.

Diego Schwartzman and Peter Gojowczyk both posted solid results in recent weeks. Gojo should defeat Denis Istomin then upset Kyle Edmund in round 2. Edmund has not played since being injured in Australia. Schwartzman is my pick over Marcos Baghdatis/Yoshihito Nishioka. I’ll back Schwartzman over Gojowczyk in round 3.

Alexander Zverev opens with Mikhail Youzhny/Joao Sousa, Zverev is a heavy favorite in his section as Milos Raonic has struggled this year and neither Felix Auger-aliassime nor Vasek Pospisil are playing super well right now either. Zverev over Raonic is the pick.

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Cilic’s Quarter

Veterans David Ferrer and Juan Martin Del Potro could face off in round 3. A struggling Ferrer will need to grind past Tennys Sandgren/Nikoloz Basilashvili in round 2. Del Potro must defeat J.L. Struff or Alex De Minaur. Del Potro will be the heavy favorite to reach round 4.

Kei Nishikori will be a heavy favorite against Leonardo Mayer/Victor Estrella, and then he should run into Novak Djokovic. Djokovic returns from injury against Cam Norrie or Taro Daniel. Nishikori is a tougher test and I don’t trust Novak’s fitness right now. Accordingly, I’ll go with Nishikori over Djokovic.

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Gael Monfils opens with Matt Ebden, he should win that and defeat a struggling John Isner to reach round 3. The Pierre-Hugues Herbert/Gilles Simon winner should be favored against a struggling Gilles Muller. Monfils over Simon is my pick in round 3.

Tim Smyczek or Laslo Djere will be first up for Philipp Kohlschreiber. Marin Cilic faces Viktor Troicki/Marton Fucsovics in his first match. Cilic over Kohlschreiber is the most realistic outcome in this section.

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Predictions

Round of 16
Federer d. Mannarino
Thiem d. Chung
Bautista Agut d. Dimitrov
Anderson d. Kyrgios
Pouille d. Tiafoe
Zverev d. Schwartzman
Del Potro d. Nishikori
Cilic d. Monfils

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Federer, Cilic, Pouille, and Del Potro should be relative favorites. The remaining matchups could go either way but form favors the victors above.

Quarters
Federer d. Thiem
Anderson d. Bautista Agut
Pouille d. Zverev
Del Potro d. Cilic

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Except for Federer’s match, these three potential quarterfinals would be crackers. I’ll back Anderson’s serve, Pouille’s form, and JMDP’s power.

Semis
Federer d. Anderson
Del Potro d. Pouille

Fans would love a Federer vs. Del Potro final, I’ll go with Federer to retain the IW title.

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Final
Federer d. Del Potro

Del Potro and Bautista Agut Rise Up to Capture ATP 500 Level Titles
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

ATP Acapulco

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Juan Martin Del Potro won his biggest title in 5 years as he eased past Kevin Anderson 6-4 6-4 in the final. Anderson didn’t appear entirely fit in the final and Del Potro handled his big serve with relative ease.

JMDP defeated Mischa Zverev, David Ferrer (in 3 sets), Dominic Thiem, and Alexander Zverev to reach the final, the last three wins high quality results for the veteran Argentine. Anderson reached his third ATP final of the year by defeating Radu Albot, Adrian Mannarino, Hyeon Chung, and Jared Donaldson, the win over Donaldson coming in three sets.

Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares won doubles against the Bryan brothers.

ATP Dubai

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It was Roberto Bautista Agut’s finest week on the ATP Tour yet. The 29 year old Spaniard defeated Lucas Pouille 6-3 6-4 in the final, and dropped just one set on the week. Despite a weakened field in Dubai, RBA still scored quality wins against Florian Mayer, Pierre-Hugues Herbert, Borna Coric, and Malek Jaziri to reach the final. Jaziri’s dream run in the Middle East coming up short despite upsetting Grigor Dimitrov, Robin Haase, and Stefanos Tsitsipas in consecutive matches.

Pouille defeated Ernests Gulbis, Karen Khachanov, Yuichi Sugita, and Filip Krajinovic to reach the final, dropping sets against everyone but Gulbis and showing his mettle in key third setters. His results in Dubai resulted in his third final of 2018 as the Frenchman has been roaring this year.

Jean-Julien Rojer and Horia Tecau defeated Cerretani/Paes in the doubles final.

ATP Sao Paulo

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Fabio Fognini staved off a valiant effort from the rising Nicolas Jarry to take the Sao Paulo 250 final 1-6 6-1 6-4. The result is the 5th career ATP title for the Italian #1 who wrapped up the golden swing with straight set wins over Joao Domingues, Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, and Pablo Cuevas to reach the final.

Jarry had a remarkable golden swing, gaining ranking points by reaching the quarters or better in the three tournaments that he played. He had a very tough week in Sao Paulo as he played five three set matches in total. Dusan Lajovic, Guido Pella, Albert Ramos, and Horacio Zeballos were the players who stood in his path, and he took them all down, winning over Pella and Ramos in third set tiebreaks. Jarry rises to #61 in the rankings, a new career high.

Maximo Gonzalez and Federico Delbonis defeated Koolhof/Sitak in the doubles final.

Tennis Atlantic

Because Matches Are Never Played in the Media Tent

All posts tagged Roberto Bautista Agut

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Veterans Djokovic, Berdych, and Wawrinka Contesting 2019 ATP Doha @QatarTennis

Final ATP Masters Of The Season in Paris Features Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic

ATP World Tour Continues Tour of China With 500 Stop in Beijing @ChinaOpen

Basilashvili and Berrettini Claim First ATP Titles in Hamburg and Gstaad

Fabio Fognini The Top Seed @SwissOpenGstaad

Rafael Nadal Looks to Stay Unbeaten On Clay @MutuaMadridOpen

Home Hero Alexander Zverev Leads Stacked @BMWOpenbyFWU Field

2018 ATP Indian Wells Preview and Predictions: It’s Roger Federer’s Title to Lose @BNPParibasOpen

Del Potro and Bautista Agut Rise Up to Capture ATP 500 Level Titles

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