The ATP World Tour is back after a Davis Cup weekend with three 250 tournaments, two on indoor hard courts in Europe, and one on clay in South America. Here is a look at all the action.
ATP Sofia
Russia’s Karen Khachanov is the top seed and after success in Davis Cup he looks to be in good shape to make a run in Sofia. Khachanov will be favored against Matteo Berrettini/Denis Istomin before facing off with Stan Wawrinka in the quarters. Wawrinka has a tougher path that features Marius Copil and Fernando Verdasco. Khachanov is favored into the semis.
Look for a Roberto Bautista Agut vs Andreas Seppi quarterfinal in the second quarter, RBA and Seppi are both in solid form, with RBA most well suited to advance into the semis. RBA is set to face Matt Ebden, while Seppi needs to get past Marton Fucsovics, and Adrian Mannarino. RBA is the favorite to reach the semifinals.
In the third section Russia’s Daniil Medvedev will battle Robin Haase and most likely Nikoloz Basilashvili. Mirza Basic and Martin Klizan are also in the section, with Medvedev over Basilashvili the most likely outcome.
AO semifinalist Stefanos Tsitsipas is set to get past J.L. Struff, and veteran Gael Monfils to reach the semis. His form is great but it’s still possible he could trip up in the early stages.
Predictions
Semis
Bautista Agut d. Khachanov
Tsitsipas d. Medvedev
Either RBA or Tsitsipas are likely to lift the title in Sofia, though either semifinal loser could end up the winner. I’ll back Tsitsipas form and have him winning this week.
Final
Tsitsipas d. Bautista Agut
ATP Montpellier
The first section is an interesting one, Lucas Pouille at home will be favored in this 250 with Jiri Vesely or a qualifier first up. Philipp Kohlschreiber opens with Radu Albot, Ernests Gulbis/Hubert Hurkacz will be next with Pouille a slight favorite against Kohlschreiber in the quarters. Pouille’s form before the AO semifinal result was poor though, and a Kohli upset would not come as a huge surprise.
Gilles Simon should continue his run of form in the second section, Simon will face Ugo Humbert/Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, with Jeremy Chardy likely in the quarters. Chardy faces Mischa Zverev, with Steve Darcis/qualifier next. Simon will be favored against Chardy and has a shot at lifting the title.
If Canadian Denis Shapovalov can get past Ivo Karlovic’s big serve (or Marcel Granollers) his quarterfinal will likely be against Pierre Hugues Herbert who is better in doubles than singles. This is a weak section with Shapovalov favored to prevail.
David Goffin and Tomas Berdych are on a collision course in the final section, Goffin faces Filip Krajinovic/qualifier, while Berdych faces Benoit Paire/Evgeny Donskoy. Berdych’s strong form early in the season has him well suited to beat Goffin and reach the semis.
Predictions
Semis
Simon d. Pouille
Berdych d. Shapovalov
I’ll back Simon to get past his countrymen Tsonga and Pouille to reach the final, with fellow veteran Berdych eventually triumphing in the end to take the title.
Final
Berdych d. Simon
ATP Cordoba
The ATP’s inaugural stop in Cordoba kicks of the golden swing on clay. Fabio Fognini is the top seed with Aljaz Bedene/Max Marterer first up. Fognini will face Pablo Cuevas or Carlos Berlocq in the quarters and be favored against either.
An All-Argentine quarterfinal looks to be on deck in section 2. Diego Schwartzman will be favored against Guido Pella after Schwartzman beats a qualifier/Thiago Wild, and Pella gets past Albert Ramos/Christian Garin.
Nicolas Jarry helped lead Chile in Davis Cup and he’s well suited to make a run here. Jarry faces Juan Ignacio Londero, with Pablo Andujar/Lorenzo Sonego next, and Pablo Carreno Busta likely in the quarters. PCB faces Cam Norrie or a qualifier, with Jarry my pick to win the section.
Marco Cecchinato is great on clay and will face Jaume Munar/Guido Andreozzi first up. The winner of Federico Delbonis/Leonardo Mayer looks set to edge past Roberto Carballes Baena, with Cecchinato over Delbonis my quarterfinal pick.
Predictions
Semis
Fognini d. Schwartzman
Cecchinato d. Jarry
I’ll back an all Italian final with Cecchinato emerging victorious, building on his clay court record.
Final
Cecchinato d. Fognini
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