The ATP gets back to tournament play this week after a week off for Davis Cup action. There will be 3 mini swings starting in Europe, the U.S. and South America. Europe’s 1st stop is in Marseille, France and boasts the highest quality draw of the 3 tour tournaments this week. Novak Djokovic (SBR) and Richard Gasquet (FRA) are the top 2 seeds vying for the title at this indoor tournament. Other challengers to the title will be 3rd seeded Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) and 4th seed Andy Murray (GBR). This weeks tournaments are interesting because they are small draws of 32 players and are usually littered with local talent. Do not be surprised if a Frenchmen makes it deep! Other notables to look for are recent Aussie Open runner up Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) as well as Mario Ancic (CRO) who is coming off an injury plagued 2007. It will be interesting to see how Tsonga follows up his fairy tail run to the Aussie Final. I’m making a bold prediction and saying Tsonga makes it to the final against Djokovic with Novak winning in straight sets.

The Second tournament will be played on the hard courts of Delray Beach, Florida. Its a great time for American men as they can stay on home soil from the Delray tournament until the end of March with the Miami Masters. Delray does not have any top 10 players entered, however their is alot of up and coming talent that will be looking to make some noise. Tommy Haas (GER) and James Blake (USA) are the top 2 seeds for the event. They both typically shine in smaller tournaments such as this one, however because of the transition from Davis Cup in Austria on clay to the hard courts in the States, Blake’s chances of making the final are difficult. Defending champion X-man Xavier Malisse (BEL) will try and get his inconsistent career on track as he has a 175 points to defend so it is crucial that he does well. Similarly to the tournament in France, Delray will have many local hopefuls participating. Donald Young and John Isner, who both did well at the U.S Open, have been quiet as of late, and will be looking to capitalize on this relatively weak draw. My predictions for the draw are Mardy Fish (USA) taking out Blake in the semi’s and should face Haas in the finals, providing that Haas takes out defending champ Malisse in the 2nd round. Haas over Fish in the finals in 3 sets. Ive played at this venue in the past, its a great venue for locals, fans and players to enjoy.

The last Tournament of the week will take place in Bahia, Brazil. The clay court tournament boasts a weak draw by tour standards with 31 year old Carlos Moya (ESP) as the top seed. He is joined by fellow Spaniard Nicholas Almagro as the 2nd seed with Igor Andreev (RUS), and Potito Starace (ITA) rounding out the 3rd and 4th seeds respectively. What might be the highlight of the week is the return of former number 1 and 3 time French Open champion Gustavo (Guga) Kuerten (BRA) as well as Guillermo Coria (ARG). Both Kuerten and Coria have been hampered by injuries for the past few seasons and will be looking to regain their once glorious runs at the French Open. Both will surely be the sentimental favorites for the week, particularly Kuerten who is set to retire at this years French Open. I do not see either making an impact during the week, however having these 2 marquee names back in action especially on clay is a bonus for any tournament.

This tournament is big for Carlos Moya and he should breeze through the draw if all goes well. The oldest man in the top 20 will be looking to cash in his 21 title and gain much needed ranking points as he attempts to close in on the much more youthful top 10. In my opinion a great decision by Moya to choose this tournament, get some confidence and stay on clay which is by far his best surface. His finals opponent is too to tough to call at this point. These small tournament usually end up having a surprise finalist. My finals prediction is Moya over unknown in straight sets.

Look for daily updates as well a tournament wrap ups and previews of next weeks tournaments. The following are links to Marseille, Delray Beach and Brazil. They are great sites that provide live scoring, tournament draws, and daily photos. Enjoy!

Marseille, France, Open Open 13

Delray, Beach Florida, International Tennis Championships

Bahia, Brazil, Brazil Open 2008

Technorati Tags: Carlos Moya, Davis Cup, Donal Young, Guillermo Coria, Gustavo Kuerten, Igor Andreev, James Blake, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, John Isner, Mardy Fish, Mario Ancic, Mikhail Youzney, Nicholas Almagro, Novak Djokovic, Potito Starace, Richard Gasquet, Tommy Haas, Xavier Malisse

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