Chennai Open 2015: Preview, Draw and Predictions

Chennai Open 2015: Preview and Draw

250 Tournament

The 2015 tennis season is upon us and has begun with three 250 level tournaments to get things going in the new season. The Chennai Open is arguably the least well known of the three tournaments being played this week, although that hasn’t stopped a host of top names singing up for the Indian event.

Stan Wawrinka’s memorable run to lifting the Australian Open in 2014 began with victory in Chennai at the start of the year and he has opted for the same winning formula again in 2015, heading into the draw as top seed. He also lifted the Chennai Open trophy in 2011, joining past winners including Milos Raonic and Marin Cilic.

Top Half

Defending champion Stan Wawrinka returns to India as top seed and takes his place at the helm of the top half of the draw. He, as part of being one of the top four seeds, receives a bye into the second round where he will face 18 year old emerging talent Borna Coric.

Gilles Muller is the seed in Wawrinka’s quarter and the Swiss number 2 will not be overly worried by any of the players in his path to the semi finals. Even at this stage Wawrinka will go in as heavy favourite, possibly facing fourth seed David Goffin or seventh seed Marcel Granollers.

Belgian Goffin has his best year on tour in 2014 and his game went from strength to strength. It will be interesting to see if he can carry this form and confidence into 2015 with him and make an impression on the Top 20. He will look to a possible semi final meeting with Wawrinka as inspiration to progress.

Bottom Half

The Chennai Open boasts arguably the weakest draw of the three 250 events occurring this week, but in turn this creates opportunities for some lesser players to emerge and catch the headlines in 2015. Feliciano Lopez seems to be defying his advancing years and is the top seed in the bottom half of the draw.

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Lopez will be heavy favourite to make his way through the bottom half of the draw, especially if his serve is working to anywhere close to the level that it was operating during 2014. His form in the exhibition event in Abu Dhabi was promising, pushing Andy Murray to three close sets.

Roberto Bautista-Agut, winner of the Most Improved Player on Tour award last year, is the main threat to Lopez. Both men hailing from Spain means it will be a contest in which there are little surprises and will give as an indication whether either can continue their form into the new season.

Prediction

I think Wawrina will ease through the draw in Chennai, but will not face second seed Lopez in the final. I can see Bautista-Agut showing more of the consistency that made him stand out in 2014 and reaching the final, taking it to three sets before succumbing to the talent of Wawrinka.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Next: ATP Tennis Power Rankings - Jan 5, 2015

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