This is something of a calm both before one storm and after another. Wimbledon just wrapped up with a classic final between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer and now the U.S. Open Series is two weeks away from beginning. First, a trio of 250-point tournaments are being held on both grass and clay in Newport, Bastad, and Stuttgart.
U.S. Hall of Fame Tennis Championships
Where: Newport, Rhode Island
Surface: Grass
Prize money: $474,005
Points: 250
Top seed: John Isner
Defending champion: Nicolas Mahut
Draw analysis: John Isner is a two-time champion in Newport, having triumphed in both 2011 and 2012. The 6’10” American is part of a field that also boasts fellow Wimbledon marathon man and Newport past champion (2013) Nicolas Mahut. Mahut prevailed in both singles and doubles last year at this event despite having to play four matches in two days due to rain delays. Both players are looking to right the ship after relatively lackluster performances at the All-England Club, although Isner at least reached the third round for the first time in his career.
Wimbledon doubles winner Jack Sock (with partner Vasek Pospisil) is a potential quarterfinal opponent for Isner. The top seed could face Lleyton Hewitt in the semis. Hewitt will kick off his campaign against Ryan Harrison in a section of the draw that also features rising American Steve Johnson. On the other side of the bracket, Mahut could meet Donald Young in the quarterfinals and either Sergiy Stakhovsky or No. 2 seed Ivo Karlovic in the semis. Seeds possibly in first-round danger are Adrian Mannarino against Jimmy Wang and Young against the huge-serving Samuel Groth.
Quarterfinal predictions: John Isner over Jack Sock, Lleyton Hewitt over Steve Johnson, Nicolas Mahut over Donald Young, and Sergiy Stakhovsky over Jimmy Wang
Semifinals: Hewitt over Isner and Stakhovsky over Mahut
Final: Hewitt over Stakhovsky
[polldaddy poll=8169276]
SkiStar Swedish Open
Where: Bastad, Sweden
Surface: Clay
Prize money: 426,605 Euros
Points: 250
Top seed: David Ferrer
Defending champion: Carlos Berlocq
Draw analysis: Like Newport, Bastad is also welcoming back its two most recent champions. David Ferrer, the 2012 winner, is on course to battle defending champion Carlos Berlocq as early as the quarterfinals. The Spaniard is a two-time champion (2007, 2012), as is countryman and No. 2 seed Tommy Robredo (2006, 2008). Of the two, Ferrer has a draw that does not appear to be particularly kind, as Berlocq looms in his quarter and possible semifinal opponents include Joao Sousa and Jerzy Janowicz.
Robredo, also the recipient of a first-round bye, may have a path that includes Paul-Henri Mathieu, Jeremy Chardy, and Fernando Verdasco prior to the title match. Verdasco’s opener is likely to come against Wimbledon third-round finisher Jiri Vesely. One intriguing first-rounder will pit a contrast of styles on opposite sides of the net in Pablo Carreno Busta vs. Dustin Brown. The winner could face Verdasco in the last eight.
Quarterfinal predictions: David Ferrer over Carlos Berlocq, Joao Sousa over Albert Montanes, Fernando Verdasco over Pablo Carreno Busta, and Tommy Robredo over Jeremy Chardy
Semifinals: Ferrer over Sousa and Robredo over Verdasco
Final: Ferrer over Robredo
[polldaddy poll=8169277]
Mercedes Cup
Where: Stuttgart, Germany
Surface: Clay
Prize money: 426,605 Euros
Points: 250
Top seed: Fabio Fognini
Defending champion: Fabio Fognini
Draw analysis: Fognini is both the top seed and the defending champion in Stuttgart. The Italian may not be able to succeed with his typical lackluster approach to matches if wants to go back-to-back because he is in a difficult half of the draw that is also home to No. 3 seed Roberto Bautista Agut and seventh-seeded Santiago Giraldo. Interestingly, all five qualifying spots (including a lucky-loser space) are in the top half of the bracket. Still, it is a top-heavy half with big names.
A slumping Mikhail Youzhny looks vulnerable at the bottom of the draw as the No. 2 seed. He may have to begin his quest against Wimbledon fourth-round performer Leonardo Mayer. Feliciano Lopez, Philipp Kohlschreiber, and Lukas Rosol all find themselves in a tough third section of the draw from which the eventual semifinalist could run into either Youzhny, Mayer, or Federico Delbonis. An interesting clay-court battle in the first round will see Delbonis go up against Juan Monaco.
Quarterfinal predictions: Fabio Fognini over Santiago Giraldo, Roberto Bautista Agut over Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, Philipp Kohlschreiber over Feliciano Lopez, and Federico Delbonis over Leonardo Mayer
Semifinals: Bautista Agut over Fognini and Kohlschreiber over Delbonis
Final: Bautista Agut over Kohlschreiber
[polldaddy poll=8169280]
I like Isner at Newport, Ferrer at Bastad, and Kohl at Stuttgart, although Batista -Agut can also win at the latter…he’s good!