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10/31/11 2:32 AM | Ricky Dimon
Vienna finalists Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Juan Martin Del Potro will be back in action this week in Valencia. They headline a strong 500-point tournament along with David Ferrer, Gael Monfils, and Gilles Simon.
Given its position on the schedule at the end of the season, the Valencia Open 500 is often dramatic for the impact in has on the race to the World Tour Finals. This year, however, the London bids are already all but wrapped up.
As a result, the focus will be squarely on this tournament and the title that is up for grabs. Unlike in Basel, where Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, and Roger Federer are the realistic contenders, almost anything could happen in Valencia.
Look no further than the first matchup at the top of the draw to find out what Valencia is all about. No. 1 seed David Ferrer has to go up against fellow Spaniard and Davis Cup teammate Fernando Verdasco right away. Other seeds who could be in trouble from the beginning are Nicolas Almagro (vs. Juan Monaco), Gilles Simon (vs. Nikolay Davydenko), and Feliciano Lopez (vs. Alex Bogomolov).
The second section of the bracket is especially wide open, as neither Spanish seed (Almagro and Lopez) is particularly imposing. Monaco, Bogomolov, or Juan Carlos Ferrero could take advantage to snag a semifinal spot.
A more difficult quarter features both Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Juan Martin Del Potro, the two Vienna finalists (Tsonga took the title in three sets on Sunday). A rematch could be on the way in what would be a blockbuster quarterfinal, but Tsonga would first have to get past either Sam Querrey or Ernests Gulbis while Del Potro would likely have to survive Dmitry Tursunov and Kevin Anderson.
Gael Monfils, who captured the Stockholm title earlier this month, is in a quarter with Alexandr Dolgopolov, Milos Raonic, and St. Petersburg champion Marin Cilic. Raonic and Cilic are set for a first-round showdown.
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Oh no! Raonic in the first round for Cilic? Have they met in the past? Cilic needs his serve to be firing like it did at Beijing, and movement wise he's better than Raonic. However if he can't return Raonic's serves, then how well he moves doesn't mean much. Having said that, Cilic's ROS isn't that bad either, hope he can beat this tricky opponent.
luckystar , 10/31/11 4:20 AM
This is a great preview of what should be some great matches in this tournament. Raonic and Cilic to start off? That should be a good one. Raonic has been looking better and getting his form back. Cilic will need to have his ROS working and be able to use his movement in the rallies. He should be feeling good having just won a title.
Nativenewyorker , 10/31/11 5:45 AM
good week, this
RickyDimon , 10/31/11 5:46 AM
It's going to be tough for the players who went the distance last week to keep up the pace till they get to Paris.
ed251137 , 10/31/11 5:59 AM
Meant to say 'when they get to Paris'
ed251137 , 10/31/11 10:14 AM
Only a win can keep the dream for some players alive
to play the last major of the year. But the final 8 look a lock. Just like Ricky pronounced a few weeks ago.
Sienna , 10/31/11 1:25 PM
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Juicy stuff! Some great match ups for the first round.
ed251137 , 10/31/11 3:44 AM