Brisbane International 2015: Preview, Draw and Predictions

Brisbane International 2015: Preview and Draw

250 Tournament

The first official ATP tour events of the 2015 season begin this week, with three 250 level tournaments being played to mark the beginning of a new year. The Brisbane International is one of the three events, boasting a field packed with big names.

With previous winners including home favourite Lleyton Hewitt and both Andy Murray and Andy Roddick, the first tournament of the of the year tends to very competitive. Players are looking to peak for the upcoming Australian Open at the end of January, with Brisbane conditions providing the perfect preparation.

Top Half

The top half of the draw is headed up by top seed and world number 2 Roger Federer. The Swiss star played in his first Brisbane International last year, losing to Hewitt in the final, although not many predicted what he would go on to achieve in 2014.

He is now primed for an assault on the number one ranking and Brisbane is a good chance to pick up 250 points that will help his hunt. He has a bye in the first round and whilst the first seed he was set to meet was Frenchman Gilles Simon, local wild card James Duckworth caused an upset.

Grigor Dimitrov and Alexandr Dolgopolov are the other two seeds in the top half of the draw, with a semi final between Dimitrov and Federer likely to be the popular outcome. Given the paths both men have to reach this stage, it seems as though we have this mouth watering match to look forward to, with Federer going in as favourite.

Bottom Half

The bottom half of the draw contains second seed and rising star Kei Nishikori, whose stock rose rapidly in 2014 after a stunning breakout year. The man from Japan added more fire-power to his ground strokes and reaped the benefits, rising to a career high of 5 in the world.

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Like the other top four seeds, Nishikori has a bye into round two, with a possible meeting against enigmatic Australian Marinko Matosevic likely to be an enjoyable encounter. Another Australian wild card has also been making waves in the bottom half of the draw, with Thanasi Kokkinakis upsetting sixth seed Benneteau to reach round two.

Serving giants Milos Raonic and Kevin Anderson are the two seeds who are on a potential collision course with Nishikori when looking ahead to the quarter and semi finals. Raonic, like Nishikori, had his best year on tour last year despite fading near the end. The Canadian will hope to leave his mark on 2015 from the outset.

Prediction

I think that the Brisbane International will follow seeding, as the tournaments at the beginning of the your tend to favour the better players. I think Federer will face Nishikori in the final, with the Swiss legend winning his 83rd title on tour, whilst also showing his intent for 2015.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Next: ATP Tennis Power Rankings - Jan 5, 2015

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