Indipper
State Regular
Hope you sleep well when lots of women scream Stakhanov's name in extasy.
-
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CricketWeb Tennis - Season I
- Thread starter SirBloody Idiot
- Start date
SirBloody Idiot
Cricketer Of The Year
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Last edited:
HeathDavisSpeed
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Mustard makes the seeds, eh? Good result for a good month's work.
Hoping to cause a stir at Wimbledon. If I don't make it that far, I'll try to streak at every subsequent game involving a CWLander.
Hoping to cause a stir at Wimbledon. If I don't make it that far, I'll try to streak at every subsequent game involving a CWLander.
Mister Wright
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Stoked for Mustard to gain a seeding. He needs the protection after struggling badly during the lead up tournaments to Wimbledon. Hopefully if he can get through the first few rounds he can progress deep into the 2nd week.
Mustard is also hoping for a good doubles tournament with fellow 9th seed Davis. The Pair will be looking to do much better than their French Open outing.
Mustard is also hoping for a good doubles tournament with fellow 9th seed Davis. The Pair will be looking to do much better than their French Open outing.
HeathDavisSpeed
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Definately. I think our 9th seeding misunderestimates our overwhelming quality in the doubles game.
Magrat Garlick
Rather Mad Witch
Pretty obvious that Páez is not the best grass court player on show at Wimbledon. Should have got a bookie to do the seeds, would have been better. 
dontcloseyoureyes
BARNES OUT
laughingelfman.jpg
SirBloody Idiot
Cricketer Of The Year
Wimbledon; Reggio Emilia (Qualification) - June 22- July 5 Season I
The Championships
Qualifiers - Wimbledon
Thirteenth seeded teenager Jarkko Maxum has earned qualification to the main draw of The Championships in Wimbledon after a successful week in the leadup. The CWLander survived a second round score against American Jason Schmidt before destroying Spain's Eugenio Galindo in the qualifying round to earn a berth in a Grand Slam event for the first time. Drawn against Ricardo Couto to start, Maxum rarely looked troubled early. But with a distinct lack of grass court experience, the 19-year old was frustrated by the Portuguese player before prevailing in a tiebreaker. But it was against Schmidt where the thirteenth seed struggled; eventually having enough gas in the tank to run out a winner after trading sets with the American. But after survivng the scare, Maxum showed flare and confidence against Galindo (who upset Martin Reiter in the second round) as he ran away a 6-0, 6-2 winner.
Maxum, however, was the only CWLander to join the main draw as forteenth seed Martti Korpinen failed to follow his footsteps in the final round. Korpinen had an easy run in his first two matches as he blitzed Dejan Barisic and Anton Gritsjuk, before Swede Bjorn Donaldson ruined his party in a three-set showdown. Donaldson certainly had a fiery path to navigate into the main draw after being taken beyond twelve games in his first four sets. In a see-sawing qualifying round, the Swede joined countryman Henrikk Henrikkson in the main draw as he secured a 6-1, 5-7, 6-3 win. Scotland Rivers, just a week after making his first ATP Series appearance at Halle, will be satisfied with his progress despite falling in the second round to ninth seed Jeremy Natale. The promising CWLander made a splash with his surprise qualifying success at the Gerry Weber Open, and started here promisingly with a straight sets win over Tamakuchi Haradsun. But in a tight second round clash, it was the experienced and polished Natale who edged a straight sets victory 7-5, 6-4 en route to qualifying.
The inconsistent season of Lawrence Trumper-Smith continued in qualifying as he failed to back up a Roland Garros appearance here in Britain. The local-born Trumper-Smith defected to the new tennis nation alongside a glutony of international talent, and started well with a straight sets win over David Butler. But his second round clash against dogged fourth seed Fernando Aguero was a heartbreaker for the CWLander; and after trading sets with the Spaniard, he would have thought the match was his for the taking. But Aguero surprisingly showed resilience in the decider to fight back to take the match 6-3, 1-6, 8-6 before sealing his qualification against Justin Williamson the next day. Finally, Vladimir Stakhanov was the only CWLander to fall in the first round of qualifying as he failed to upset Williamson in a 1-6, 6-4, 7-5 defeat.
Qualifiers - Reggio Emilia
Matt Bre has made a significant leap in his young career by earning qualification to the main draw of the 14° Torneo B. Camparini - Lines Trophy in Reggio Emilia. Defeating local wildcard Carlo Ansoldi to start with, Bre got more and more convincing on the clay surface as he upset fourth seed Govert Vogels in a three-set affair. It was then down to he and seventh seed Xavier Caicedo for the final qualifying spot; Bre edging a tight encounter 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 to earn the biggest win of his career so far and a first round clash with Portugal's Luis Amaral. Whilst Bre enjoyed success in qualifying, Randy Banks was given a tough assignment in the form of Samoan eighth seed Tofilau Leota. Leota punished any mistakes made by Banks in a good performance en route to qualification; Banks not quite showing his potential yet against more experienced and physically fit opposition.
Qualified: Matt Bre; Tofilau Leota; Mischa Pasveer; Marco Pellegrini.
The Championships
Qualifiers - Wimbledon
Thirteenth seeded teenager Jarkko Maxum has earned qualification to the main draw of The Championships in Wimbledon after a successful week in the leadup. The CWLander survived a second round score against American Jason Schmidt before destroying Spain's Eugenio Galindo in the qualifying round to earn a berth in a Grand Slam event for the first time. Drawn against Ricardo Couto to start, Maxum rarely looked troubled early. But with a distinct lack of grass court experience, the 19-year old was frustrated by the Portuguese player before prevailing in a tiebreaker. But it was against Schmidt where the thirteenth seed struggled; eventually having enough gas in the tank to run out a winner after trading sets with the American. But after survivng the scare, Maxum showed flare and confidence against Galindo (who upset Martin Reiter in the second round) as he ran away a 6-0, 6-2 winner.
Maxum, however, was the only CWLander to join the main draw as forteenth seed Martti Korpinen failed to follow his footsteps in the final round. Korpinen had an easy run in his first two matches as he blitzed Dejan Barisic and Anton Gritsjuk, before Swede Bjorn Donaldson ruined his party in a three-set showdown. Donaldson certainly had a fiery path to navigate into the main draw after being taken beyond twelve games in his first four sets. In a see-sawing qualifying round, the Swede joined countryman Henrikk Henrikkson in the main draw as he secured a 6-1, 5-7, 6-3 win. Scotland Rivers, just a week after making his first ATP Series appearance at Halle, will be satisfied with his progress despite falling in the second round to ninth seed Jeremy Natale. The promising CWLander made a splash with his surprise qualifying success at the Gerry Weber Open, and started here promisingly with a straight sets win over Tamakuchi Haradsun. But in a tight second round clash, it was the experienced and polished Natale who edged a straight sets victory 7-5, 6-4 en route to qualifying.
The inconsistent season of Lawrence Trumper-Smith continued in qualifying as he failed to back up a Roland Garros appearance here in Britain. The local-born Trumper-Smith defected to the new tennis nation alongside a glutony of international talent, and started well with a straight sets win over David Butler. But his second round clash against dogged fourth seed Fernando Aguero was a heartbreaker for the CWLander; and after trading sets with the Spaniard, he would have thought the match was his for the taking. But Aguero surprisingly showed resilience in the decider to fight back to take the match 6-3, 1-6, 8-6 before sealing his qualification against Justin Williamson the next day. Finally, Vladimir Stakhanov was the only CWLander to fall in the first round of qualifying as he failed to upset Williamson in a 1-6, 6-4, 7-5 defeat.
- Qualified: Fernando Aguero; Gocha Berianidze; Julian Day; Gjorgi Dinov; Bjorn Donaldson; Anvar Juraev; Marc Lubbers; Jarko Maxum; Ryan Miller; Jeremy Natale; Andy Russell; Adem Tadić; Cameron van der Cleer; Ivan Vuka; Roger Warren; Victor Zsasz.
- Qualified: Ozren Dimitrijevic / Tobias Grote; Nico Hoffman / Benjamin Rabin; Jerzy Kosecki / Roel Hervelle; Shyam Sequiera / Artit Wanna.
Qualifiers - Reggio Emilia
Matt Bre has made a significant leap in his young career by earning qualification to the main draw of the 14° Torneo B. Camparini - Lines Trophy in Reggio Emilia. Defeating local wildcard Carlo Ansoldi to start with, Bre got more and more convincing on the clay surface as he upset fourth seed Govert Vogels in a three-set affair. It was then down to he and seventh seed Xavier Caicedo for the final qualifying spot; Bre edging a tight encounter 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 to earn the biggest win of his career so far and a first round clash with Portugal's Luis Amaral. Whilst Bre enjoyed success in qualifying, Randy Banks was given a tough assignment in the form of Samoan eighth seed Tofilau Leota. Leota punished any mistakes made by Banks in a good performance en route to qualification; Banks not quite showing his potential yet against more experienced and physically fit opposition.
Qualified: Matt Bre; Tofilau Leota; Mischa Pasveer; Marco Pellegrini.
SirBloody Idiot
Cricketer Of The Year
Wait til you see his draw...Pretty obvious that Páez is not the best grass court player on show at Wimbledon. Should have got a bookie to do the seeds, would have been better.
SirBloody Idiot
Cricketer Of The Year
Wimbledon (Singles Preview I) - June 22- July 5 Season I
The Championships Preview (Part I):
Top seed Daniel Páez Blanco headlines this section and could not have received a tougher road to going back-to-back in Grand Slams. His horror draw could feasibly see him come up against Wayne Boyd, Patrick Pascaul, Jojo Mustard, Dwayne Murdoch and Radek Špidla; and for a guy who has looked far from confident on grass it is nigh on impossible. I'd put my money on him bowing out to Pascaul in the second round; the Frenchman will be high on confidence after a finals appearance in 's-Hertogenbosch last week and plays the explosive style which could really trouble the world number one on this court. French Open semifinalist Dwayne Murdoch has not backed up his Roland Garros performance with any real form as of late, but he's been drawn in the same third round section as clay courter Randy Smeltz which should see him safely through the fourth round. The other threat is 30th seed Jojo Mustard, although his road is a little bit rocky with Haiku Morkel first up and then possibly Pascaul or Blanco in the third. I like Murdoch to make it to his third Grand Slam quarterfinal of the season.
Predicted Quarterfinalist: Dwayne Murdoch (def. Patrick Pascaul)
Roughie: Jojo Mustard
Could Fall Early: Daniel Páez Blanco; Randy Smeltz.
Another section stacked full of difficult-to-predict matchups and a tournament favourite in the form of world number five Radek Špidla. A fortnight ago, Špidla claimed the AEGON Championship in impressive fashion, and should start preceedings off by beating Spainish world number 43 Sergio Joaquin. The first seed he can face is also a bit of a softie; Antonio Bachunelli has filled his boots on clay this season, and will find it very tough to challenge the fifth seed on his stomping grounds. The most interesting matchup, however, looms in the third round between Miroslav Brdar and David Champion. The Aussie looked a completely different player at Queen's a fortnight ago, whilst Brdar made it just as far as the 22nd seed in his quarterfinal exit. Assuming both make it through winnable matches, it could have a real bearing on the latter stages of the tournament.
Predicted Quarterfinalist: Radek Špidla (def. Miroslav Brdar)
Roughie: None.
Could Fall Early: Antonio Bachunelli.
Third seed Radivoj Daneu will head into this tournament full of confidence after a semifinal appearance in 's-Hertogenbosch last week, and his chances were boosted after receiving a favourable draw. Matthew Tobin and Bogdan Maurer should pose no threat to the Serbian number one, whilst a possible third round match with Zoltan Varga is more than winnable. Undoubtedly, though, Varga is his biggest hurdle to overcome after he appeared in the semifinals of Eastbourne last week. 21st seed Sanchez Emelio could be on shaky territory in his first clash; Lee Inmin was a surprise quarterfinalist at Queen's and will head in with a huge chance of causing an upset. But the most intruiging contest will be between thirteenth seed Tiago Matias and Aussie Toby Brookes. Both men have won titles on clay this season, but have yet to prove themselves on the harder surfaces.
Predicted Quarterfinalist: Radivoj Daneu (def. Tiago Matias)
Roughie: Lee Inmin; Yves Parmentier
Could Fall Early: Sanchez Emelio; Tiago Matias.
Whilst many of the seeds have clay-inflated rankings at present, section four doesn't particularly boast that with four very versatile players threatening to throw the section wide open. The favourite to qualify here, and rightly so, is Rasmus Olesen who played spectacularly in Halle a fortnight ago to lift his first title of the season. Seventh seed Juan Moreno will also threaten; though, after exiting first round in Halle, his promising form in 's-Hertogenbosch was smothered by a rampant Patrick Pascaul. Eighteenth seed Jefferson Drake is the type of player who could do anything; he loves the grass (despite an average showing at Queen's), and on his day could be the biggest thread for Olesen. We think Olesen might have enough to sneak past Drake, but the real question is who his opponent will be in the fourth. Can Moreno grow in confidence to get past obstacles such as Zbiginiew Boniek and Jason Bradley? But possibly the match of the first round - or at least the toughest to predict - will be the clash between Rob Bowenburg and Jean-Alain Depuis. Bowenburg rightly gained confidence with a quarterfinal appearance in 's-Hertogenbosch, but he comes up against 36-year old Depuis who is in roaring form after a final in Eastbourne. On current form, Depuis is one of the toughest 'floating' players in the draw.
Predicted Quarterfinalist: Rasmus Olesen (def. Jean-Alain Depuis)
Roughie: Jean-Alain Depuis
Could Fall Early: Jason Bradley; Juan Moreno.
The Championships Preview (Part I):
Top seed Daniel Páez Blanco headlines this section and could not have received a tougher road to going back-to-back in Grand Slams. His horror draw could feasibly see him come up against Wayne Boyd, Patrick Pascaul, Jojo Mustard, Dwayne Murdoch and Radek Špidla; and for a guy who has looked far from confident on grass it is nigh on impossible. I'd put my money on him bowing out to Pascaul in the second round; the Frenchman will be high on confidence after a finals appearance in 's-Hertogenbosch last week and plays the explosive style which could really trouble the world number one on this court. French Open semifinalist Dwayne Murdoch has not backed up his Roland Garros performance with any real form as of late, but he's been drawn in the same third round section as clay courter Randy Smeltz which should see him safely through the fourth round. The other threat is 30th seed Jojo Mustard, although his road is a little bit rocky with Haiku Morkel first up and then possibly Pascaul or Blanco in the third. I like Murdoch to make it to his third Grand Slam quarterfinal of the season.
Predicted Quarterfinalist: Dwayne Murdoch (def. Patrick Pascaul)
Roughie: Jojo Mustard
Could Fall Early: Daniel Páez Blanco; Randy Smeltz.
Another section stacked full of difficult-to-predict matchups and a tournament favourite in the form of world number five Radek Špidla. A fortnight ago, Špidla claimed the AEGON Championship in impressive fashion, and should start preceedings off by beating Spainish world number 43 Sergio Joaquin. The first seed he can face is also a bit of a softie; Antonio Bachunelli has filled his boots on clay this season, and will find it very tough to challenge the fifth seed on his stomping grounds. The most interesting matchup, however, looms in the third round between Miroslav Brdar and David Champion. The Aussie looked a completely different player at Queen's a fortnight ago, whilst Brdar made it just as far as the 22nd seed in his quarterfinal exit. Assuming both make it through winnable matches, it could have a real bearing on the latter stages of the tournament.
Predicted Quarterfinalist: Radek Špidla (def. Miroslav Brdar)
Roughie: None.
Could Fall Early: Antonio Bachunelli.
Third seed Radivoj Daneu will head into this tournament full of confidence after a semifinal appearance in 's-Hertogenbosch last week, and his chances were boosted after receiving a favourable draw. Matthew Tobin and Bogdan Maurer should pose no threat to the Serbian number one, whilst a possible third round match with Zoltan Varga is more than winnable. Undoubtedly, though, Varga is his biggest hurdle to overcome after he appeared in the semifinals of Eastbourne last week. 21st seed Sanchez Emelio could be on shaky territory in his first clash; Lee Inmin was a surprise quarterfinalist at Queen's and will head in with a huge chance of causing an upset. But the most intruiging contest will be between thirteenth seed Tiago Matias and Aussie Toby Brookes. Both men have won titles on clay this season, but have yet to prove themselves on the harder surfaces.
Predicted Quarterfinalist: Radivoj Daneu (def. Tiago Matias)
Roughie: Lee Inmin; Yves Parmentier
Could Fall Early: Sanchez Emelio; Tiago Matias.
Whilst many of the seeds have clay-inflated rankings at present, section four doesn't particularly boast that with four very versatile players threatening to throw the section wide open. The favourite to qualify here, and rightly so, is Rasmus Olesen who played spectacularly in Halle a fortnight ago to lift his first title of the season. Seventh seed Juan Moreno will also threaten; though, after exiting first round in Halle, his promising form in 's-Hertogenbosch was smothered by a rampant Patrick Pascaul. Eighteenth seed Jefferson Drake is the type of player who could do anything; he loves the grass (despite an average showing at Queen's), and on his day could be the biggest thread for Olesen. We think Olesen might have enough to sneak past Drake, but the real question is who his opponent will be in the fourth. Can Moreno grow in confidence to get past obstacles such as Zbiginiew Boniek and Jason Bradley? But possibly the match of the first round - or at least the toughest to predict - will be the clash between Rob Bowenburg and Jean-Alain Depuis. Bowenburg rightly gained confidence with a quarterfinal appearance in 's-Hertogenbosch, but he comes up against 36-year old Depuis who is in roaring form after a final in Eastbourne. On current form, Depuis is one of the toughest 'floating' players in the draw.
Predicted Quarterfinalist: Rasmus Olesen (def. Jean-Alain Depuis)
Roughie: Jean-Alain Depuis
Could Fall Early: Jason Bradley; Juan Moreno.
Magrat Garlick
Rather Mad Witch
Poor Bowenburg. Another horrific draw.
Not good for Smeltz & Mustard¸ though. Delev might do something.
Not good for Smeltz & Mustard¸ though. Delev might do something.
Mister Wright
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Shocking draw for Mustard even with a seeding. Will need plenty of things to go his way. Although he does have big game confidence, his form on grass has been far from impressive especially given he is a grass court specialist.
NUFAN
Y no Afghanistan flag
I mean I'm slightly unlucky but it's not like Dupuis is seeded and hopefully his old age will catch up with him at the beginning of the tournament.
Would love a 3rd round clash with Doh but I doubt he can make it that far.
Drake has a decent draw, he'll make the 3rd round for sure.
Would love a 3rd round clash with Doh but I doubt he can make it that far.
Drake has a decent draw, he'll make the 3rd round for sure.
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dontcloseyoureyes
BARNES OUT
Don't like this line of thinking.
SirBloody Idiot
Cricketer Of The Year
Wimbledon (Singles Preview II) - June 22- July 5 Season I
The Championships Preview (Part II):
Section 5 is possibly the cruelest draw of the lot for the non-seeds with the likes of Darcy Cowan, Danijel Micic and Rick Henson headlining a star-studded section. That's even ignoring world number number Illya Altman who, despite being pidgeon-holed a clay courter, can never be discounted when there is a dog fight at hand - South Africa's Oliver Thursfield given the arduous task of upstaging the bald-headed Ukrainian. Sixth seed Cowan heads in as a favourite, but his half is littered with tough prospects ranging from the biggest serve in the world of Ivars Emsis, to Argentine Paolo Mandonna and even Serbia's Micic who proved his worth with a maiden career victory in 's-Hertogenbosch. It will truly be the test of Cowan's maturity when he takes on the Serbian who seems to have a more mature attitude to tennis himself. Then we take into account former world number two Rick Henson whose ranking has fallen after a two month lay off with a torn calf muscle. He faces countryman Hugh James first up which is the perfect start for him; a chance to ease into the tournament with what should be a guaranteed couple of hours against a solid, yet unspectacular, player. It is a punter's nightmare, this; particularly a third round clash between Cowan and Micic which rests purely on which Danijel Micic turns up.
Predicted Quarterfinalist: Darcy Cowan (def. Rick Henson)
Roughie: Paolo Mandonna
Could Fall Early: Illya Altman.
I'm not quite sure what to make of section six; whilst there don't seem to be any standout favourites to take the tournament, there are a lot of unknown quantities capable of causing a quiet stir late in the tournament. Take fourteenth seed Davis Kennedy; his inglorious quarterfinal exit at the AEGON Championships took the shine away from what was a polished and clinical first couple of rounds for the Canadian. He has Adam Murray first - a match he should win - before facing a real danger in the form of imposing Norwegian Kim Vollan who has fast become a real force on the tour. Then Almen Benaglio, who at the beginning of last week looked like following up his first round exit in Halle with another in Eastbourne before he produced a stunning reversal of form to engineer a tournament victory. Fourth seed Sven Oxenstierna started his grass campaign well in Halle, but he too fell disappointingly and comes into this tournament somewhat forgotten by many. He's a man one cannot discount, though, and should have a nice run until the third round where Jamee Hancianu and Ivan Genov are waiting. Speaking of Genov; he upset Oxenstierna in Halle and will prove a real threat to the 26th seeded Hancianu. Whilst I don't think any of these guys will go on to win the thing, I think there's going to be some really cracking contests and at least one guy who does some damage to a highly regarded seed.
Predicted Quarterfinalist: Almen Benaglio (def. Sven Oxenstierna)
Roughie: Ivan Genov; Pierre L'Estrange; Kim Vollan
Could Fall Early: Jamee Hancianu; Davis Kennedy.
With a dearth of Brits elsewhere in the draw, section 7 plays host to four of them; not least being one of the favourites to take the tournament Henry Charles. Charles has enjoyed a great warmup with a semifinal at Queen's, and then winning the Boodles Challenge such that the British punters have poured the money in to make the twelfth seed third favourite to take the title. Helping him along is a soft draw; he's got wildcard Pat Ambrose first up, whilst grinder Diego Hurtado awaits in the second round. The real threat for the local hope is world number eight József Boros whose semifinal appearance at Eastbourne sees him loom as a real threat to Charles' chances. Morgan Carter is also another possibility; but his inconsistency might see him struggle against Boros after likely wins in the first and second rounds. 23rd seed Becker Haas has highly rated English youngster Jordan Mutch in the first round; and should he win that he faces a tricky clash with the unpredictable Heath Davis of CWLand who should prove far too much for 33-year old qualifier Roger Warren.
Predicted Quarterfinalist: Henry Charles (def. József Boros)
Roughie: Morgan Carter
Could Fall Early: Becker Haas.
Where at Roland Garros Jason Hall was seeded one but was not the punter's choice, the American star finds himself in the opposite position as second seed and favourite to claim his second Grand Slam title. But to do so, he has to navigate some awkward early round matches and then a brutal third round clash before he even thinks about the second week. First up is Tom Vollan; the powerful Norwegian is an unpredictable type of player, but is still carrying an injury cloud after capitulating a couple of weeks ago in Halle. The big task is in the third round as French Open quarterfinalist Oneil Stewart awaits. Stewart was taken out in straight sets in the third round of Queen's by Davis Kennedy, but is a source of entertainment and will no doubt push Hall to his very limits. On the other side of this section, an inevitable third round clash between Zhijun Sun and Carlo Amato seems to await. Both men haven't got all that difficult paths to navigate to start things off, but make for a very interesting third round matchup. I'm not sold on Zhijun and he did little to ease my worries over the past couple of weeks, but I can't see Amato having the weapons to upset Hall or Stewart.
Predicted Quarterfinalist: Jason Hall (def. Carlo Amato)
Roughie: Oneil Stewart
Could Fall Early: None.
Quarterfinals:
Radek Špidla def. Dwayne Murdoch
Radivoj Daneu def. Rasmus Olesen
Darcy Cowan def. Almen Benaglio
Jason Hall def. Henry Charles
Semifinals:
Radek Špidla def. Radivoj Daneu
Jason Hall def. Darcy Cowan
Final:
Radek Špidla def. Jason Hall
The Championships Preview (Part II):
Section 5 is possibly the cruelest draw of the lot for the non-seeds with the likes of Darcy Cowan, Danijel Micic and Rick Henson headlining a star-studded section. That's even ignoring world number number Illya Altman who, despite being pidgeon-holed a clay courter, can never be discounted when there is a dog fight at hand - South Africa's Oliver Thursfield given the arduous task of upstaging the bald-headed Ukrainian. Sixth seed Cowan heads in as a favourite, but his half is littered with tough prospects ranging from the biggest serve in the world of Ivars Emsis, to Argentine Paolo Mandonna and even Serbia's Micic who proved his worth with a maiden career victory in 's-Hertogenbosch. It will truly be the test of Cowan's maturity when he takes on the Serbian who seems to have a more mature attitude to tennis himself. Then we take into account former world number two Rick Henson whose ranking has fallen after a two month lay off with a torn calf muscle. He faces countryman Hugh James first up which is the perfect start for him; a chance to ease into the tournament with what should be a guaranteed couple of hours against a solid, yet unspectacular, player. It is a punter's nightmare, this; particularly a third round clash between Cowan and Micic which rests purely on which Danijel Micic turns up.
Predicted Quarterfinalist: Darcy Cowan (def. Rick Henson)
Roughie: Paolo Mandonna
Could Fall Early: Illya Altman.
I'm not quite sure what to make of section six; whilst there don't seem to be any standout favourites to take the tournament, there are a lot of unknown quantities capable of causing a quiet stir late in the tournament. Take fourteenth seed Davis Kennedy; his inglorious quarterfinal exit at the AEGON Championships took the shine away from what was a polished and clinical first couple of rounds for the Canadian. He has Adam Murray first - a match he should win - before facing a real danger in the form of imposing Norwegian Kim Vollan who has fast become a real force on the tour. Then Almen Benaglio, who at the beginning of last week looked like following up his first round exit in Halle with another in Eastbourne before he produced a stunning reversal of form to engineer a tournament victory. Fourth seed Sven Oxenstierna started his grass campaign well in Halle, but he too fell disappointingly and comes into this tournament somewhat forgotten by many. He's a man one cannot discount, though, and should have a nice run until the third round where Jamee Hancianu and Ivan Genov are waiting. Speaking of Genov; he upset Oxenstierna in Halle and will prove a real threat to the 26th seeded Hancianu. Whilst I don't think any of these guys will go on to win the thing, I think there's going to be some really cracking contests and at least one guy who does some damage to a highly regarded seed.
Predicted Quarterfinalist: Almen Benaglio (def. Sven Oxenstierna)
Roughie: Ivan Genov; Pierre L'Estrange; Kim Vollan
Could Fall Early: Jamee Hancianu; Davis Kennedy.
With a dearth of Brits elsewhere in the draw, section 7 plays host to four of them; not least being one of the favourites to take the tournament Henry Charles. Charles has enjoyed a great warmup with a semifinal at Queen's, and then winning the Boodles Challenge such that the British punters have poured the money in to make the twelfth seed third favourite to take the title. Helping him along is a soft draw; he's got wildcard Pat Ambrose first up, whilst grinder Diego Hurtado awaits in the second round. The real threat for the local hope is world number eight József Boros whose semifinal appearance at Eastbourne sees him loom as a real threat to Charles' chances. Morgan Carter is also another possibility; but his inconsistency might see him struggle against Boros after likely wins in the first and second rounds. 23rd seed Becker Haas has highly rated English youngster Jordan Mutch in the first round; and should he win that he faces a tricky clash with the unpredictable Heath Davis of CWLand who should prove far too much for 33-year old qualifier Roger Warren.
Predicted Quarterfinalist: Henry Charles (def. József Boros)
Roughie: Morgan Carter
Could Fall Early: Becker Haas.
Where at Roland Garros Jason Hall was seeded one but was not the punter's choice, the American star finds himself in the opposite position as second seed and favourite to claim his second Grand Slam title. But to do so, he has to navigate some awkward early round matches and then a brutal third round clash before he even thinks about the second week. First up is Tom Vollan; the powerful Norwegian is an unpredictable type of player, but is still carrying an injury cloud after capitulating a couple of weeks ago in Halle. The big task is in the third round as French Open quarterfinalist Oneil Stewart awaits. Stewart was taken out in straight sets in the third round of Queen's by Davis Kennedy, but is a source of entertainment and will no doubt push Hall to his very limits. On the other side of this section, an inevitable third round clash between Zhijun Sun and Carlo Amato seems to await. Both men haven't got all that difficult paths to navigate to start things off, but make for a very interesting third round matchup. I'm not sold on Zhijun and he did little to ease my worries over the past couple of weeks, but I can't see Amato having the weapons to upset Hall or Stewart.
Predicted Quarterfinalist: Jason Hall (def. Carlo Amato)
Roughie: Oneil Stewart
Could Fall Early: None.
Quarterfinals:
Radek Špidla def. Dwayne Murdoch
Radivoj Daneu def. Rasmus Olesen
Darcy Cowan def. Almen Benaglio
Jason Hall def. Henry Charles
Semifinals:
Radek Špidla def. Radivoj Daneu
Jason Hall def. Darcy Cowan
Final:
Radek Špidla def. Jason Hall
