It’s the week earlier than a Grand Slam, which normally means not excellent issues. With the French Open on the fast horizon, nevertheless, the Geneva match has attracted a tremendous subject. Novak Djokovic accepted a late wild card, whereas Casper Ruud, Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, and Andy Murray are additionally within the draw.
Listed below are my previews and picks for this week’s tournaments in Geneva and Lyon.
Gonet Geneva Open
The place: Geneva, Switzerland Prize cash: 579,320 Euros High seed: Novak Djokovic 2023 champion: Nicolas Jarry (not enjoying)
How sturdy is the Geneva subject? Effectively, the troublesome of this occasion will be summed up by the truth that Djokovic’s opening match may come in opposition to Murray. The highest-ranked Serb may need to get previous both Denis Shapovalov and Tallon Griekspoor simply to achieve the semifinals. Fritz and Jack Draper are amongst those that may face Djokovic within the final 4.
The opposite half of the bracket contains Ruud and Shelton. These two gamers personal first-round byes, however Sebastian Baez can by no means be discounted at any clay-court outfit and others akin to Fabian Marozsan, Alexander Shevchenko, and Flavio Cobolli are able to doing harm. Shelton vs. Cobolli is potential second-round contest, whereas Ruud may match up with Baez within the quarterfinals.
Quarterfinal picks: Novak Djokovic over Federico Coria, Taylor Fritz over Jack Draper, Flavio Cobolli over Fabian Marozsan, and Sebastian Baez over Casper Ruud Semifinals: Fritz over Djokovic and Baez over Cobolli
Last: Fritz over Baez
Open Parc
The place: Lyon, France Prize cash: 579,320 Euros High seed: Ugo Humbert 2023 champion: Arthur Fils (not enjoying)
Draw evaluation: Lyon lacks the star energy of Lyon, however it’s nonetheless a fairly good ATP 250 primarily based on the participant lineup. Ugo Humbert, the highest seed, has seemingly been successful titles in all places relationship again to final fall. The French contingent additionally contains Adrian Mannarino, Gael Monfils, Alexandre Muller, and Richard Gasquet. Muller, who upset Andrey Rublev on his strategy to the fourth spherical of the Rome Masters, is about for an all-French affair with Gasquet in spherical one.
Mannarino often is the third seed, however on clay he isn’t actually an element. The left-hander is in the identical part as an ice-cold Frances Tiafoe, in order that a part of the brackt couldn’t be extra huge open. Jaume Munar and Luciano Darderi are amongst those that shall be trying take benefit. The story is comparable close to the underside of the draw. No. 2 Alexander Bublik isn’t comfy on clay and Monfils (No. 7) has not carried out something notable of late. Consequently, Francisco Cerundolo and Mariano Navone need to be thought of the highest two favorites to earn a ultimate spot.
Quarterfinal picks: Tomas Martin Etcheverry over Dominik Koepfer, Jaume Munar over Luciano Darderi, Francisco Cerundolo over Lorenzo Sonego, and Mariano Navone over Alexander Bublik Semifinals: Etcheverry over Munar and Cerundolo over Navone
Last: Etcheverry over Cerundolo
Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and in addition maintains his personal tennis web site, The Grandstand. You possibly can observe him on Twitter at @Dimonator.
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