There is a lot of tennis action this week as players are ramping up towards the Australian Open. Some of the big name players are in Doha, because that is where the big money is this week. While others look for more competitive matches and better preparation for the year’s first major.
Doha
Seeds
#1 – Nadal
#2 – Federer
#3 – Murray
#4 – Roddick
Besides the top 4 seeds, not a lot of other players who could compete with them at this tournament. Nadal could have a tricky quarterfinal against Gael Monfils, but I fully expect each seed to make it through to the semis. I will be more interested in the Nadal – Roddick semi, as Murray and Federer played last week, and whatever happens this week between them really has no bearing on the Aussie. I want to see if Larry Stefanki has had any impact on Roddick yet, like he did for Gonzo.
Winner – Nadal
Brisbane
Seeds
#1 – Djokovic
#2 – Tsonga
#3 – Verdasco
#4 – Soderling
This tournament has a much deeper field, with Berdych, Fish, Gasquet, and Stepanek rounding out the seeds, not to mention Mathieu, Gulbis, Baghdatis, Ancic, and Querrey as well. All of these second tier players are looking to get in matches in Australia to help them prepare for the heat of the Aussie Open. With so many even and talented players, it is hard to predict who will make the semis, it is almost a pick em’.
Winner – Gasquet
Chennai
Seeds
#1 – Davydenko
#2 – Wawrinka
#3 – Cilic
#4 – Karlovic
Nothing much of interest at this tournament really. The only thing I am curious to see is how former and current UVA players Somdev Devvarman and Sanam Singh do with the wild cards they have received.
Winner – Cilic
