Bre, Korpinen move into Monte-Carlo main draw
East CWLanders
Matt Bre and
Martti Korpinen have successfully qualified for the main draw in the prestigious Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters after Sunday victories. After Korpinen ousted fourteenth seed
Valter Cordiero in straight sets (
6-4, 6-4) on Saturday, he came from a set down to beat unseeded Moroccan
Ross Onwye 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 to set up a clash with fellow qualifier
José Navarro on Tuesday.
Fourth seed Bre had it easier - he easily accounted for
Gjorgji Dinov 6-1, 4-6, 6-1 on Saturday before pounding Bulgarian thirteenth seed
Yordan Zakov 6-2, 6-2 today. Such is the way the draw works, though, he faces a stern test against World No. 44
János Varga on Tuesday.
Monte-Carlo Preview
Six of the world's top ten players turn out at the PTA Masters Series 1000 in Monte-Carlo this week in what is shaping up to be a very exciting week. Here are some of the big questions to be answered:
Will Blanco reign supreme?
World No. 2
Daniel Páez Blanco has not lost on clay since turning professional, but faces shaky form to defend his Monte-Carlo crowd. Having beaten
Henry Charles to win the final last year (along with Hall, Oxenstierna and Altman) without losing a set, he comes in on the back of early exits in Indian Wells and Miami following an injury lay-off. His undefeated record in a real trouble with possible showdowns against
Tiago Matías,
Becker Haas and
Patrick Pascaul before the quarter final stages - all tough opponents. French Open semifinalist
Dwayne Murdoch,
Jefferson Drake and
Radivoj Daneu also appear in his half which suggest that the tour will have no better chance to take a win off Blanco on clay than this week.
Is Oxenstierna worth second billing?
Sven Oxenstierna made the leap to World No. 4 with a victory in Indian Wells to finally suggest he is worthy of the title of one of the world's top players. But can he go further? He'll get no better chance than this week after being placed in a somewhat weaker bottom half. Defending finalist
Henry Charles is a possible quarter final opponent, but he's coming off an injury lay off and poor form to suggest he's not going to trouble him. In all reality, he should make it through unscathed to at least the semi finals (bettering his third round appearance last year), but
József Boros and
Illya Altman in the semis pose very interesting problems.
The smokies
Can an unseeded player win this? Probably not, but many are a chance to go deep.
Jojo Mustard is fresh off a huge upset title in Houston and faces qualifiers before a third round clash with
Jefferson Drake. That's the danger game, but if he can come out of a very difficult section (the hardest of the lot) he'll hold himself in good stead.
Zhijun Sun has improved dramatically over the summer and claimed the title in Miami. His clay history isn't great, but if he can build on his good hard court form he could be a chance in picturesque Monte-Carlo. The courts aren't too slow either, so there's always a chance for him.
Likely to fall
Henry Charles made the final last year, but I don't see it happening again. Lost points could be disastrous for his ranking.
Miroslav Brdar came off a semi final, but his form is scratchy and he faces a brutal run. China's
Li Wang won't defend quarter final points due to a nagging injury and will fall out of touch with the top thirty.