ATP Memphis, Marseille, and Buenos Aires – Monday 20th February until Sunday 26th February 2012

A nice solid start to my BETDAQ column saw Nicolas Almagro secure his third title in Sao Paolo. The Spaniard beat Filippo Volandri in Sunday’s final to allow readers and punters alike to hit the ground running. It was unfortunate that Gael Monfils withdrew in San Jose because of a knee problem because the draw opened up rather nicely if truth be told. Tomas Berdych wasn’t a million miles away from making it two wins from two selections by reaching the last four in Rotterdam, he appeared to rather run out of gas in his semi final match with Juan Martin Del Potro who himself was nonchalantly tossed aside by eventual champion Roger Federer.

Three continents are represented this week on tour as players head to Europe, North America, and South America in search of some form prior to the first ATP 1000 tournament in Indian Wells at the beginning of March.

12 of the world’s top 20 players are in action this week and by the looks of things, it would actually appear that the weakest field assembled can be found in Memphis, which seems extraordinary to me, considering the prize money on offer. The champion in North America this week will pick up a cheque of almost three times that of the other two tournaments so to see only John Isner and Andy Roddick (who are both American anyway) from the world’s top 20 is a little surprising to say the least.

MARSEILLE
Despite the inferior purse on offer in Marseille, it is here I’ll be focusing my attentions this week. Top seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will rightly enter the tournament as the warm favourite. Having won the tournament in 2009, Tsonga will enjoy his return to his native France. Also competing off the back of successful runs in Rotterdam are Nikolay Davydenko and Juan Martin Del Potro, as well as the world number nine who will be my selection this week. Serbian Janko Tipsarevic is taking part in his first tournament since his 3rd round exit in the Australian Open but I don’t think rust will be an issue. Tipsarevic won both of his rubbers against Sweden in the Davis Cup and visits Marseille for the first time since a first round exit to Marcos Baghdatis in 2007. In 2012 Tipsarevic is an altogether different proposition, finding himself at his all-time highest world ranking of 9th at present and (to an extent) fulfilling some of his potential and general promise in 2011 with indoor victories in Moscow and Kuala Lumpur. The draw could have been a lot crueler to the Serbian and with very beatable seeds in Ivan Ljubicic, Alexandr Dolgopolov, and Mardy Fish in his half, I see no reason why Tipsarevic cannot reach his ninth ATP tour final
Selection – Janko Tipsarevic

ATP MEMPHIS
Elsewhere, I wouldn’t bet against another American winning in Memphis. No other nationality has had a look-in since 2008 and I expect this run to continue. I’d rather look for a little bit of value in the draw. I simply wouldn’t back Andy Roddick with stolen money at the moment. A withdrawal against Lleyton Hewitt in the Australian Open in January due to injury, in addition to a very tame defeat to San Jose finalist Denis Istomin hardly inspires me with confidence. John Isner will probably still be feeling rather pleased with himself, having defeated Rotterdam champion Roger Federer on his least favourite surface of clay in the Swiss’ own backyard during a Davis Cup tie earlier this month. Isner does however have a couple of potentially tricky-looking matches against big-serving lefty Gilles Muller, followed by either the talented Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov or compatriot Donald Young. Even if he safely negotiated these encounters, he’d likely meet up and coming 8th seed Bernard Tomic when I actually think his run will probably come to an end. It is for this reason I’ll side with American number 8 Ryan Harrison. Providing he’s learnt his lessons from his match with Milos Raonic in Memphis (who he may face in round 3), the talented American may be able build on his semi final appearance last week and at the likely prices, I’d be hopeful of a real run for my money. 
Selection – Ryan Harrison

BUENOS AIRES
Finally in Buenos Aires, David Ferrer may just be too good for his rivals. The top seed and world number five is particularly dominant on his favoured red clay and he’ll see this as an opportunity to secure his thirteenth title on tour. The absence of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic who are arguably the only two players on tour who can be considered better than Ferrer on this surface is a major positive for the Spaniard.
Selection – David Ferrer

Follow Chris on Twitter @cdquinn86

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