The big events are coming thick and fast on the ATP Tour and this week the players stop in Marseille for the Open 13. Last week in Rotterdam we had a very strong field headed by Roger Federer and this week we have an equally strong line up. Czech star Tomas Berdych leads the field as the top seed but it's the second seed, and defending champion, Juan Martin Del Potro who starts as the favourite after winning the Rotterdam title today. Could Berdych disrupt the Argentine? Will one of the French contingent delight the home crowd? Or will Del Potro assert his dominance again? With the quality of field this week, just about anything is possible.
At the start of the year I said Berdych seemed ready to launch an assault on the top four this season and everything I've seen from him so far has suggested he can. In the Australian Open he played exceptionally well up until a tactical disaster against Djokovic. He had the winning formula but refused to stick at it. That's criminal against someone like Novak but he can learn from his mistakes. This week is a great chance for him to show he means business this year. He doesn't have an easy draw. Players like Julien Benneteau and Jerzy Janowicz are dangerous indoors but Berdych should be beating players like that. If he doesn't at least reach the semi final I would be very disappointed.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga looked to be turning a corner this year after hiring Roger Rasheed as a coach but last week he lost in his first match to Igor Sisjling. I know the Dutch player is dangerous on an indoor court but someone like Tsonga shouldn't be losing to him. That was a poor performance and as much as he tried he was found wanting when he needed to produce his best and that to me is a lack of confidence in his own game. That's a worrying sign for the remainder of the year. The only thing in his favour is he had an extra week to work with Rasheed and if he can have a good week here then he will be more confident in himself and more confident in what his coach is trying to do with him.
The French crowd will have plenty to cheer about this week with so many of their players on form. The most impressive of the French contingent is Richard Gasquet. He has two titles this year and is playing some of the best tennis of his career. He is playing a consistent brand of tennis and when that is combined with the deadly shots he can produce especially off his backhand. The next step for him is big performances in ATP 500 events and Masters 1000 tournaments. But for now, these ATP 250 events are perfect for gaining confidence and building momentum.
Gilles Simon had a strong week reaching the semi finals in Rotterdam but he seemed to be struggling physically at the end of his semi final. That leaves me questioning his fitness this week so it's hard to know what to expect from him. Julien Benneteau played the best tennis I've seen from him in a long time to reach the final in Rotterdam. He beat Roger Federer comfortably before losing to Del Potro. There was nothing wrong with how he played against the Argentine but Delpo was just incredible all week and bordering on unstoppable. Michael Llodra will be tough to beat indoor and Gael Monfils is always tricky. Janko Tipsarevic is a danger in the field but I don't see enough consistency from him to suggest he could win this week.
Finally, Del Potro. He was simply breathtaking in Rotterdam. He played aggressively and served incredibly well. He is the defending champion and I really think we are going to see him reach the top of the game again this year. He is capable of competing in all the remaining majors because he is a threat on clay and grass and of course hard courts. This week could be crucial in his season. If he produces the same tennis as last week then he will be near impossible to beat. Indoors I don't see anybody beating him this week. I would go as far to say he is the best indoor player in the game right now and he will prove it this week.
Berdych and Tsonga will provide a massive challenge for Delpo this week and are at great prices for the title. Berdych goes off at 4/1 and Tsonga at 9/2. Both good value prices but I'm avoiding both. Someone like Gasquet is value at 12/1 given his recent form but it's Del Potro who represents the best value this week. He was 4/1 last week and this week is at 11/4. That's unmissable in my opinion and that's why I'm backing him this week.
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