My holiday coincided with the first of the clay court tournaments in 2014 and also with the Davis Cup Quarter Finals, but it was good to see Switzerland making it through to the Semi Final in that competition.
I picked the Swiss to win the Davis Cup at the start of the season and they will be big favourites, as long as they steer clear of injuries to Stanislas Wawrinka and Roger Federer, to beat Italy and make it through to the Final now.
I am a big fan of the clay court season and really enjoyed my time at the French Open last year, but the tournaments are going to be dominated in terms of favouritism by Rafael Nadal in the men's draws and that is no different this week. The draw will always be important, but Nadal has also benefited in that department this week and it would be a surprise if he doesn't make it through to the Final and have a chance to reclaim the title he lost last season.
That could all depend on who he faces in the Final, but Novak Djokovic looks a little short with the likes of Tomas Berdych, Roger Federer and Fabio Fognini in his side of the draw and I would like to see how he negotiates that draw.
With that in mind, I didn't make any outright picks this week, but I will be making picks from the matches that will be played through the week, beginning on Monday (although some First Round matches were played on Sunday).
Benoit Paire v Albert Montanes: Benoit Paire hasn't played a lot of tennis since the Australian Open, but he beat Albert Montanes last week in Casablanca and I believe he is worth backing to do that again this week.
The clay courts may be Montanes' favourite surface and he may have the confidence that comes with winning a couple of qualifiers here in Monte Carlo, but the support should be behind Paire and I think he has the tools that will make this match swing in his direction.
While there will be breaks of serve, Paire certainly has the bigger shot in that department and could earn a few more 'cheaper' points that should help him come through the match. Last week that shot proved to be the difference in the three set win for Paire and I think there is every chance this match goes the distance too.
However, the little more stability behind serve should give Paire the chance to move through to the Second Round as long as he hasn't reacted negatively to the first bit of competitive tennis he played in months last week.
MY PICKS: Benoit Paire @ 1.83 Ladbrokes (2 Units)
Miami Weekly Picks: 13-11, + 1.76 Units (48 Units Staked, + 3.67% Yield)
Miami Outright Picks: 1-3, - 1.25 Units (8 Units Staked, - 15.63% Yield)
Season 2014: + 38.05 Units (519 Units Staked, + 7.33% Yield)
Season 2013: + 21.74 Units (1251.5 Units Staked, + 1.73% Yield)
Season 2012: + 49.21 Units (855 Units Staked, + 5.76% Yield)
Season 2011: + 82.02 Units
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