Getting a little late start on this one because of it starting today, but here we go.
Seed Report
1. Tsonga
Not sure if they removed all the fire hydrants from the city, but Tsonga took a wildcard to come here and that should mean he's at least looking to do a little damage. It's not going to be easy straight off with Baghdatis likely to be his 1st match. If he gets through that trick though, the semifinals look achievable with only Anderson and maybe Ryan Harrison [depending on his brain power this week] as potential ones to watch out for. Still, he's a clear cut above.
Prediction: Semifinals - potential to win the title.
2. Berdych
Berdych continued his rather tame campaign in Cincy, checking out in the 3rd round against Raonic. He has a cleaner route to a deep run this week, but that hasn't helped him much lately. He's another wildcard entry, so he obviously knows his game needs work. I don't see much trouble to the quarters & realistically he should be in the semis with minimal effort. But, I've been saying that for about three or four weeks.
Prediction: Semifinals - potential to lose in the quarters.
3. Isner
The defending champion has a very simple road to the quarters. Paire or Klizan first-up and then maybe a tricky second match with Falla if he makes it that far. The bottom of his draw has Benneteau and Troicki, neither of whom is in great form on this surface.
Prediction: Finals
4. Dolgopolov
Since his DC title, Dolgopolov has reverted to trash mode. He looked absolutely lost against Davydenko. He could face Lu first-up which could mean another early exit given Lu's decent form on hard courts lately. This is a very tough bracket he is in with a Nalbandian or Davydenko potentially along the way that would not be easy either. If he made it to the quarters, me might find Sam Querrey.
Prediction: 2nd round - potential to run to the quarters
5. Roddick
Health is the key question. Is Roddick past his back spasm issues from Cincinnati? Fortunately it's not a major injury, but it is still concerning that spasms crop up out of nowhere. Let's make a small assumption that Roddick is close to fit. He's likely going to get James Blake first up in an interesting match. Should he survive, the likes of Istomin and Darcis are in his draw to the quarters. He was good here last year and will be desperate for form.
Prediction: Quarterfinals
6. Granollers
Granollers predictable crashed out early in Cincy after a surprising Toronto run. He looks primed for an early upset with a tough draw.
Prediction: 2nd round
7.Querrey
A very negotiable draw for Querrey. Giraldo or ERV first up. Lopez is the other seed on the road to the quarters, but he looked disinterested in Cincinnati. He's got some work to do in the other part of the bracket with Nalbandian, Davydenko, Lu and Dolgopolov around - but I do like his potential this week. He's been in good form during the US Open series, only losing to the cream of the crop.
Prediction: Finals
8. Benneteau
Benneteau was terrible in Cincinnati, so he has to turn it around quick. Before you write him off, remember has points to defend as after making the finals last year. I think perhaps that had more with him deciding not to worry about Cincy last week. His draw isn't great, but he has winnable matches. Kubot or Robredo first. A Troicki or Goffin maybe later on. If he gets to the quarters, it could be a rematch of last year's final with Isner.
Prediction: 3rd round - potential for a run to the quarters.
Upset Alerts
Gilles Muller (1st round) Match-up TBD
Harrison/Soeda over Granollers (2nd Round)
Falla over Melzer (2nd Round)
Young over Mayer (1st Round) SUPER SERIAL! By retirement.
Lu over Dolgopolov (2nd Round)
Seed Report
1. Tsonga
Not sure if they removed all the fire hydrants from the city, but Tsonga took a wildcard to come here and that should mean he's at least looking to do a little damage. It's not going to be easy straight off with Baghdatis likely to be his 1st match. If he gets through that trick though, the semifinals look achievable with only Anderson and maybe Ryan Harrison [depending on his brain power this week] as potential ones to watch out for. Still, he's a clear cut above.
Prediction: Semifinals - potential to win the title.
2. Berdych
Berdych continued his rather tame campaign in Cincy, checking out in the 3rd round against Raonic. He has a cleaner route to a deep run this week, but that hasn't helped him much lately. He's another wildcard entry, so he obviously knows his game needs work. I don't see much trouble to the quarters & realistically he should be in the semis with minimal effort. But, I've been saying that for about three or four weeks.
Prediction: Semifinals - potential to lose in the quarters.
3. Isner
The defending champion has a very simple road to the quarters. Paire or Klizan first-up and then maybe a tricky second match with Falla if he makes it that far. The bottom of his draw has Benneteau and Troicki, neither of whom is in great form on this surface.
Prediction: Finals
4. Dolgopolov
Since his DC title, Dolgopolov has reverted to trash mode. He looked absolutely lost against Davydenko. He could face Lu first-up which could mean another early exit given Lu's decent form on hard courts lately. This is a very tough bracket he is in with a Nalbandian or Davydenko potentially along the way that would not be easy either. If he made it to the quarters, me might find Sam Querrey.
Prediction: 2nd round - potential to run to the quarters
5. Roddick
Health is the key question. Is Roddick past his back spasm issues from Cincinnati? Fortunately it's not a major injury, but it is still concerning that spasms crop up out of nowhere. Let's make a small assumption that Roddick is close to fit. He's likely going to get James Blake first up in an interesting match. Should he survive, the likes of Istomin and Darcis are in his draw to the quarters. He was good here last year and will be desperate for form.
Prediction: Quarterfinals
6. Granollers
Granollers predictable crashed out early in Cincy after a surprising Toronto run. He looks primed for an early upset with a tough draw.
Prediction: 2nd round
7.Querrey
A very negotiable draw for Querrey. Giraldo or ERV first up. Lopez is the other seed on the road to the quarters, but he looked disinterested in Cincinnati. He's got some work to do in the other part of the bracket with Nalbandian, Davydenko, Lu and Dolgopolov around - but I do like his potential this week. He's been in good form during the US Open series, only losing to the cream of the crop.
Prediction: Finals
8. Benneteau
Benneteau was terrible in Cincinnati, so he has to turn it around quick. Before you write him off, remember has points to defend as after making the finals last year. I think perhaps that had more with him deciding not to worry about Cincy last week. His draw isn't great, but he has winnable matches. Kubot or Robredo first. A Troicki or Goffin maybe later on. If he gets to the quarters, it could be a rematch of last year's final with Isner.
Prediction: 3rd round - potential for a run to the quarters.
Upset Alerts
Gilles Muller (1st round) Match-up TBD
Harrison/Soeda over Granollers (2nd Round)
Falla over Melzer (2nd Round)
Young over Mayer (1st Round) SUPER SERIAL! By retirement.
Lu over Dolgopolov (2nd Round)
