ATP Istanbul: Draw Preview and Predictions

Istanbul is set to play host to its first ATP tour tennis event this week, as the BNP Paribas Istanbul Open begins. The inaugural 250 event has attracted one of the strongest fields in memory for a tournament at this classification, with both Roger Federer and Grigor Dimitrov turning out for the curtain raiser in Turkey.

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Both men certainly won’t just be content with showing their faces, however, as they will seek to lift the trophy and at the very least go deep in a clay court event. Dimitrov especially would not turn down a run at any event given the struggles that he has endured at the beginning of 2015.

Federer continues to do his duties as a global icon and ambassador of the sport, citing his excitement at spreading tennis to new places. The world number two will be wary of those behind him in the rankings and 250 points for a win in Istanbul would be very welcome indeed.

Draw and Predictions

Top Half – Roger Federer

Organisers must be eyeing up a potential second round encounter between Marsel Ilhan and Federer, which would gain a lot of attention with the locals. Federer receives a bye through the first round along with the other seeds inside the top four.

Columbian Santiago Giraldo is Federer’s seeded semi final opponent, with the man from South America fitting the stereotype of being a strong player on clay. Aside from Giraldo, it is hard to imagine Federer being overly tested in his half of the draw.

Federer is set for a busy clay court campaign, but I can see him building significant momentum ahead of the French Open. With Djokovic withdrawing from the Madrid Masters, Federer will be the top seed and will hope to capitalise on the Serb’s absence.

Bottom Half – Grigor Dimitrov

Grigor Dimitrov should also be pleased with his draw and you could be excused for already eyeing up a final clash between Federer and Dimitrov, the latter having been subject to endless comparisons about the Swiss great.

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