GENEVA OPEN: The ATP tour continues on clay as some of the players head to Geneva. With the French Open just around the corner some of the bigger names will sit this one out, making it the perfect opportunity for the lower ranked players to gain some extra momentum.
Casper Ruud – Hunting a hat-trick
One of the bigger names competing in Geneva, Casper Rudd is ranked fourth in the world, and the Norwegian is no stranger to success here having won the tournament for the past two years.
It is likely that Ruud has opted in for this one not only because of his successes in it, but his first match exit from the Madrid Open means he is in need of some more match practise before the French Open, and he will be hoping to put in a better performance than he did in Madrid.
Off the back of Geneva success last year, Rudd went on to reach the final of the French Open before losing out to Rafael Nadal, but the Norwegian will hope that it’s third time lucky in Geneva and that a win here could spur him on to go one better in Paris.
Denis Shapovalov – Bouncing back
Denis Shapovalov has been one of the brighter sparks on the tour in the past few years, currently ranked 27th and peaking at 10th, the 24-year-old certainly has a big future ahead of him.
Despite a first round exit last year, Shapovalov has found success in Geneva, reaching the final back in 2021 where he was beaten 7-6 6-4 in a tight match against Casper Ruud. The young Canadian was also eliminated in the first round of the French Open last year, a tournament where he is yet to find his feet.
Shapovalov’s talent is clear and being left-handed he posses a somewhat unique skill set. He will be hoping to replicate his Geneva Open form of 2021 to give himself some strong momentum to take to Roland Garros later this month.
Taylor Fritz – Geneva debutant
Despite playing on the ATP Tour since 2015, Taylor Fritz has never competed in the Geneva Open. The American is yet to find any success on the clay, but his recent form gives reason for him to be one to keep an eye out for in Geneva this year.
Fritz reached the semi-finals of the Monte-Carlo Masters earlier this year, another clay court tournament, where he beat two-time Geneva Open champion Stan Wawrinka in the Round of 32.
Some of the other key competitors have reason to take Fritz seriously this year, most notably Denis Shapovalov, whom Fritz has already defeated on two occasions in 2023. Fritz has never met Casper Ruud on the clay so it should provide an intriguing battle should those two meet in the latter stages of the tournament.
John Isner – The Veteran
One of the most experienced players on the ATP tour, John Isner is a household name in tennis. The big serving American is one of the most notable players on tour and poses a serious challenge to every opponent.
Isner hasn’t competed in Geneva since 2017, where he was eliminated in the second round by Mischa Zverev, who went on to reach the final. Isner is always one to look out for in the grand Slams and he will be hoping that a return to the Geneva Open can set him in good stead for a successful French Open.
Isner has one of, if not the best serve on the tour and all the other competitors will be very aware of that. Isner is no stranger to a big match and has the experience under his belt to compete in Geneva, having beaten the likes of Taylor Fritz six time in his career, as well as three wins over Casper Ruud. If Isner can use his giant serve to full effect there is no reason that he shouldn’t be taken seriously in this tournament.
