Tennis Picks 2014 (February 12th)

It was pretty close to being a clean sweep for the picks on Tuesday as four out of six ended in the winner's enclosure, while another was close to coming through before faltering down the stretch.

That definitely is the kind of confidence boost that was needed after a poor week last week, but there is still a long way to go this week and I hope that turn in fortunes can remain with me now.


Tuesday was a packed day of tennis which also saw two of my three outright picks get underway as Grigor Dimitrov barely survived his First Round match against Dmitry Tursunov, while Ivo Karlovic was a much more comfortable winner in Memphis.

Andy Murray will get his tournament going on Wednesday afternoon and admits he is wondering how his body will react to playing day after day with no rest between as you get in a Grand Slam, but he also admitted feeling good when playing Davis Cup for Great Britain. It was also interesting to note Murray talking about the World Rankings, which differs from his usual stance of that taking care of itself and not really worrying about that.

It wasn't to say he was worrying about the Rankings now, but Murray is acutely aware of the significance of falling to Number 6 in the standings as that will make winning Grand Slams that much more difficult with tougher matches to negotiate earlier in the draw. Murray doesn't have too many points to defend in the coming weeks and can start moving back up towards the World Number 3 Ranking at the very least and that means having a strong week in this ATP 500 tournament in Rotterdam.


Juan Martin Del Potro - 2.5 games v Gael Monfils: There are new concerns for Juan Martin Del Potro as he has been feeling some soreness in his left wrist, but the defending Champion in Rotterdam has also stated that the three weeks since the Australian Open exit has helped get things looked at.

It will affect the backhand wing of Del Potro if there is a long-term issue with the left wrist and he couldn't have asked for too many tougher First Round matches than the one he faces against Gael Monfils on Wednesday.

Monfils won the title in Montpellier last week and has been showing off a more aggressive game this season which has also seen him reach the Final in Doha. However, it can be tough to back up a win on the Tour wit another big week and Del Potro is one of the best indoor hard court players in the world.

As long as the left wrist is not causing too many issues, I think Del Potro will find a way to see off Monfils in this match and come through with a 64, 64 win and a place in the Second Round.


Andy Murray - 5.5 games v Edouard Roger-Vasselin: This is actually the first indoor hard court match Andy Murray will have played since the World Tour Finals in 2012 and that has to be something to consider with this pick.

However, he couldn't have asked for a much better match up in terms of what Edouard Roger-Vasselin will bring to the court and that is why I think Murray will prove too strong and come through as a comfortable enough winner.

Roger-Vasselin is a solid player, but he doesn't really have the shot that will hurt an opponent, while his serve won't be something that will affect a returner that is as good as Murray is.

I am not really surprised that Murray has won their two previous meetings fairly easily and I think he is going to come through a tough first set before pulling away in the second and record a 64, 62 win.


Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - 2.5 games v Marin Cilic: This looks like it could be a very good match to watch on Wednesday evening, but it is a match that I think will be won by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga for a couple of reasons.

While both players are very strong on the indoor hard courts, I think there is a little more benefit to Tsonga's game rather than Marin Cilic's as the serve makes all the difference in the match. Where I think the courts and conditions will help Tsonga look after his serve, I think Cilic doesn't get enough first serves in play and that could give the Frenchman the chance to dictate rallies.

You have to respect Cilic's form after winning in Zagreb and then beating Lukas Rosol without any issues in the First Round here, but all that tennis has to be felt in the legs at some points, especially with a long lay off at the end of last season.

That is where Tsonga should be able to take advantage of any mental fatigue and I think he comes through a tough test with a 76, 64 win and a place in the Quarter Finals.


Donald Young - 2.5 games v Denis Kudla: He was supposed to be the new face of American tennis, but Donald Young has been nothing short of a disappointment in his career even if that hasn't made him humble after a rant against the USTA last season for not being given a Wild Card spot at the French Open.

Backing Young is not something that I would want to find myself doing too often, but this match up is clearly one he enjoys against an opponent he has beaten in all five previous matches including twice in 2013.

One of those wins came in the qualifiers for Memphis twelve months ago and it is telling that Young has yet to drop a set against Kudla- the latter is someone who works hard for his points on the court, but doesn't really have anything that can hurt an opponent and a serve that is vulnerable.

Kudla has come through the qualifiers which means he will be more attuned to the conditions and that is the only reason I think the layers are making Young as high a price as he is at the moment. That may make the first set more competitive, but I think Young comes through 64, 63.

MY PICKS: Juan Martin Del Potro - 2.5 Games @ 1.83 Paddy Power (2 Units)
Andy Murray - 5.5 Games @ 2.25 Pinnacle (2 Units)
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - 2.5 Games @ 1.95 Pinnacle (2 Units)
Donald Young - 2.5 Games @ 1.85 Pinnacle (2 Units)

Weekly Update: 5-4, + 2.96 Units (17 Units Staked, + 17.41% Yield)