Help
1/11/09 2:57 PM | Ricky Dimon
World No. 9 Juan Martin Del Potro is the top seed in Auckland, New Zealand this week. He'll be challenged for the title, however, by a plethora of talented players.
There's just one week to go before the 2009 Australian Open, so players will be fine-tuning their games over the next seven days in Auckland, New Zealand and Sydney, Australia.
With Roger Federer at the Kooyong exhibition event, Novak Djokovic in Sydney, and Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray taking a break, an evenly-matched field is on hand in Auckland.
Juan Martin Del Potro, who surged into the Top 10 last season after winning four straight ATP tournaments in between Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, headlines the Heineken Open as the No. 1 seed. Other than giving him a first-round bye as one of the top four seeds, however, the draw did him no favors. Del Potro could face Ernests Gulbis, who just knocked out a No. 1 seed (Djokovic) in the Brisbane first round last week, in the second round. Robin Soderling, who reached the Brisbane quarterfinals, is a force on hard courts and is a potential semifinal opponent for Del Potro as the No. 3 seed.
David Ferrer is the top seed in the bottom half of the draw at No. 2, but he slumped throughout the second half of 2008 and also has a tough round to the Auckland final. Ferrer will probably have to face either defending champion Philipp Kohlschreiber or rising Japanese star Kei Nishikori in the quarterfinals.
Also battling for a spot in the title match will be No. 4 seed Nicolas Almagro, who does must of his damage on clay but has a serve that can also make him dangerous on the hard stuff. Almagro's early road through the tournament could include Steve Darcis in round two and Sam Querrey in the quarterfinals.
Del Potro is definitely the favorite, but any number of players could take this title and ride a wave of momentum into Melbourne Park for the Australian Open.
Tell a friend »
Scan QR code to access Unibet mobile.
Bet on Sports wherever you are and whenever you like, with Unibet's quick and simple mobile client you can place bets, check results and see live odds.
For more info about QR codes & scanners click here.
Contact us
/ About us
/ Cookies
/ Recommended links
/ Advertise
/ Sitemap
Tennistalk v1.5.0
Disclaimer © 2001-2012, Moneytainment Media Ltd - All rights reserved
