Top seed here is a man from the Czech Republic. Tomas Berdych has been in good form this year and he will see this as a chance to get some confidence going with a title win. I see this man having a very strong year and if he can get his mentality right he will be a threat at majors. He found a solution against Djokovic and after winning a set he went back to the losing game. It made no sense and that's something he is going to have to work on with his coach. He is the defending champion here so I think it's safe to assume he will have a good week here. Second seed Janko Tipsarevic pulled out of Serbia's Davis Cup tie so his fitness has to be questioned. If he is playing well then I could see him having a good week. It will all depend on how his foot holds up but it will be tough for him with so much talent in his half of the draw.
Two French players who have started the year well are Richard Gasquet and Gilles Simon and I like both of their chances this week. Gasquet has been the form player of the year with a title to his name and a good run in Melbourne. He helped France clinch a victory over Israel last week too. His mentality is so much better than before and it's no secret he is probably the most naturally gifted player in the game. Expect this man to be around come Friday and Saturday. Simon was unfortunate to pick up some injuries in Melbourne but he played well throughout despite that. I like Simon a lot but he seems to lack the cutting edge. He is capable of being a top ten player but he needs to put the hard work in and improve his game plan.
Other players with potential this week include Nikolay Davydenko and Gael Monfils. Davydenko started the year in spectacular fashion and will be hoping he can get back to that form this week. Monfils is back on the tour after an injury plagued year and a half. He played well in Melbourne and if he gets back to form then he could be a danger consistently this year. Also keep an eye on Michael Llodra and Paul-Henri Mathieu who both have fond memories of this event.
For me there are two players I could see lifting the title come next Sunday. Tomas Berdych is the favourite to defend his title at 2/1 and that may well be the safest bet of the week. The man he would face in the semi finals is the biggest danger to him this week. Gasquet goes off at 6/1 and this might be the value bet of the week. I like Gasquet this week in front of his home crowd but going on form alone I have to say Berdych at 2/1 is my tip for this event.
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