ATP Marseille: Preview and Predictions

By Josh Sanchez | Feb 15, 2015

ATP Marseille: Preview and Predictions

Many of the players who just finished a very entertaining tournament in Rotterdam will cross the continent to contend for the title at the ATP Marseille in France. Last year, Ernests Gulbis won the championship match over home grown Jo-Wilfred Tsonga. Tsonga is injured and will not be competing this year. Gulbis is the No.3 seed.

While some players take the week off to rest up for ATP Dubai next week, there is still a strong draw in Marseille this year. The field is headed by No.1 seed Milos Raonic, and ATP Rotterdam Champion Stan Wawrinka. Wawrinka will be vying for his third title of the young season.

For the full draw, click here.

Predictions

No.1 seed Milos Raonic’s Quarter

While Andrey Kuznetsov could make a match interesting, the real competition for Raonic in his section will be Frenchman Gael Monfils. Monfils has had a strong beginning to his 2015 season. With the crowd behind him, his antics will be in full force. Monfils will stand far behind the baseline for the powerful serve and once the rally starts, the movement and shotmaking ability of Monfils will take over. Monfils is 2-0 in his career against the big Canadian.

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Prediction: Monfils

No.4 seed Roberto Bautista Agut’s Quarter

This is by far the most completive section of the draw, making it the most difficult to predict. Baustista Agut will face the winner of Robin Haase and Canadian hopeful Vasek Pospisil, who is ready to make a splash. No.6 seed David Goffin, who lost in the first round in Rotterdam, is unfortunate to draw the dangerous Jerzy Janowicz to open up in Marseille. Youngster Dominic Theim also lurks in this tough section.

Prediction: Janowicz

No.3 seed Ernests Gulbis’ Quarter

Gulbis could face veteran Jeremy Chardy in the second round. His projected quarterfinal opponent is Gilles Simon, who is coming off a big win over Andy Murray in his semifinal campaign in Rotterdam. The two seeds should move on to face each other for a spot in the semis. A Gulbis/Simon quarter is very tough to call.

Prediction: Gulbis

No.2 seed Stan Wawrinka’s Quarter

Wawrinka has looked unbeatable at times and has only lost to Novak Djokovic this year.

Wawrinka has looked unbeatable at times and has only lost to Novak Djokovic this year. Will he continue his unbelievable start to 2015 or will the number of matches he has played catch up to him? It’s anyone’s call. Those who will try to keep him from his third semifinal in as many tournaments: Sergiy Stakovsky, Paul-Henri Mathieu, and No.8 seed Lukas Rosol.

Prediction: Wawrinka

Semifinals: Monfils over Janowicz, Gulbis over Wawrinka

A Monfils/Janowicz semifinal would pit two players who have never lived up to their enormous potential. Mental instability and poor strategic adaptations have kept both these players from greatness. On the other side, Wawrinka’s run has to end sometime, right? In all reality, Wawrinka has played more matches than anyone. He will wear down and Gulbis’ past success will propel him to the final.

Final: Monfils over Gulbis

Polar opposites square off. Gulbis’ personality on and off the court has not won him many fans. Monfils is a casual tennis fan’s dream, with his crazy antics and desire to entertain. The French crowd will be in wild support of their countryman and will carry him to victory.

Next: ATP Rio: Preview & Predictions

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