The ATP World Tour is not wasting any time getting back in to gear following the Australian Open. Lukas Rosol and Robin Haase are taking the court on Monday in Sofia, while Alexander Zverev is going up against Luca Vanni in Montpellier.
Sofia Open: Robin Haase vs. Lukas Rosol
The first-ever match at the Sofia Open–at least in terms of main-draw competition–will take place on Monday afternoon when Rosol and Haase square off for the fifth time in their careers. Rosol is leading the head-to-heard series 3-1, including 2-1 on hard courts. They most recently faced each other last spring in Indian Wells, where Rosol survived 6-4, 6-7(4), 7-6(3). The Czech has won two in a row at Haase’s expense since the Dutchman earned his lone victory via a 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 decision at the 2013 Winston-Salem Open. Only their first-ever meeting ended in straight sets, with Rosol prevailing 6-4, 7-5 on the grass courts of Stuttgart in 2012.
A solid start to the 2016 campaign has seen Rosol advance out of round one in three consecutive tournaments. The 30-year-old pocketed one win in Chennai, reached the Auckland quarters, and made it to the last 32 at the Australian Open before succumbing to Stan Wawrinka. Haase fell in the second round in both Doha (to Rafael Nadal) and Auckland (to Kevin Anderson). He lost his Australian Open first-rounder in unceremonious straight-set fashion at the hands of Mirza Basic. Based on current form and past head-to-head history, Rosol should have the edge in this one.
Pick: Rosol in 3
[polldaddy poll=9293251]
Open Sud de France: Luca Vanni vs. Alexander Zverev
Zverev won the ATP Star of Tomorrow Award for 2015 as the highest-ranked player in the top 100. The 18-year-old German earned 14 of his 18 career ATP-level match victories and finished the season at 83rd in the world after peaking at No. 74. Zverev participated in the Hopman Cup to begin this season before officially kicking off the campaign at the Australian Open. To say he got a bad draw would be an understatement, as Zverev lost to eventual runner-up Andy Murray in the opening round.
Up first for the 2014 Hamburg semifinalist on Monday in Montpellier is Vanni. Although he is at a much different point in his career at 30 years old, the 105th-ranked Italian also started to make a name for himself in 2015. Vanni’s rise began at almost this exact same time one year ago, when he soared from out of nowhere to the Sao Paulo final as a qualifier before falling to Pablo Cuevas in a third-set tiebreaker. As that result suggests, the veteran’s game works best on clay. Zverev, who is also dept on the slow stuff but more of an all-court player, should benefit from an indoor surface.
Pick: Zverev in 2
[polldaddy poll=9293250]
and so February begins
I have a feeling that vanni scores a three set upset. He’s a tricky opponent and I can see him scoring the upset there with his experience. Also I’m taking Rosol in two as he had a good Aussie open with a run to round three while Haase lost to basic in straights in round one.
Vanni. Wow.
Thank you, Ricky. Good luck! 🙂
Vanni? Unlikely IMO.
Agree with diddy on this one.
Sascha Z over Vanni.
Voted Haase in 3 last night. But I see Rosol won in 3. Knew Robin would fight – hoped he’d win.
Nice draw in Montpellier.
ERV, Brown, De Schepper, Ymer all passed the qualie test.
Vanni match just started
Only can follow score 🙁
Picked Sascha in 3 because I don’t know. Benny might be right! Dpn’t know Vanni other than seeing his name here and there in draws.
The challenger in Dallas looks interesting – Andrey Rublev, and the Americans.
first set Vanni
Picked Sascha in 3. Come on! He’s got a break in the 2nd.
3 BPs saved, deuce at 1-2 in the 3rd
Are they televising this tournament in the states?
Tennis Channel starting tomorrow, I think, Nny. Not sure if it will be live coverage or not. Early rounds Montpellier.
If you need a tennis fix – ATP has Challenger matches live on the website. Watched some Maui last week. Will try to watch Dallas a little – our favorite American hopefuls 😀
huge BP save by Sasha in the 3rd
another BP for Vanni at 2-3
Sascha breaks back!
rc,
Thanks for the update. The tennis channel can have spotty coverage of these smaller tournaments. Sometimes they won’t cover them until the quarterfinals or else it’s on a tape delayed basis.
Usually after a slam, I need a little break from tennis.
40-15 to deuce
For me it’s the opposite, Nny. Especially if my favorite loses along the way or in the final, no matter. More tennis is best! I need help, huh? lol…
Mp Vanni
MP saved, barely
he somehow held for 5-5
That was a brave hold, Sascha! 5-5
Zverev suddenly serving for the match at 6-5
ah.. 😀 he did it.
not today, nope
Brown vs. Darcis in Montpellier #Nadal
#EatingContest
Vanni on his way to the three set win.
Or not.
Zverev serving to stay in the match at 4-5
6-5 Sascha! Can he do it…serve it out?
Done and dusted.
For Luca, all in Vanni I’m afraid this time.
I think I’ve seen him before.
I think he lives on the second floor.
I think he tries not to talk to loud.
I just won’t ask him what it was.
I just won’t ask him anymore.
#Vegan
my, that’s a cheerful ditty by suzanne…
Suzanne Vega.
Wow. Vanni lost match point? Rough loss for Luca. Good win for Zverev. I didn’t see the match obviously but I’m sure Alex will need to play better against Cilic.
Zverev played well. Good match.
Oh ok. Vanni is a tricky opponent so I’m not surprised it was super close even though Zverev played well. Hope he can make things interesting against Cilic. I want Cilic to have a good year and that start at Brisbane and Melbourne isn’t very encouraging so I’m hoping he can make run here in Montpellier but I also wouldn’t mind to see Zverev score a huge win.
Cilic ended Zverev’s run in DC in a good match
Difference was belief.