So the French Open is in the books and the first grass court tournaments of the season are just about to get underway- you can catch my outright picks from this week's tennis here.
Unlike most Monday's, this week we have plenty of tennis taking place with the unusually large draw that takes place at Queens in London considering that is still an ATP 250 event until next season. Halle has a few matches to get their tournament underway too, as does the WTA event in Birmingham, but the layers seem to be sleeping on a number of their markets as these tournaments are beginning so soon after the French Open.
With that in mind, I may have to add some picks from Queens on Monday morning, if the opportunity arises, once the full markets are available for the matches that are being played. The first matches are scheduled for 12:30pm local time, so there should be plenty of time to get involved if there are any more picks to add to the one I have already made.
Jeremy Chardy v Sam Querrey: Sam Querrey has won two of the three matches that these two have had against one another and he is a former Champion at the Queens Club in London, but I can't avoid thinking that he shouldn't be the favourite to beat Jeremy Chardy in this First Round match.
Querrey lost three of the four matches he played on grass last season and his performances over the last twelve months won't inspire confidence. The big serve makes Querrey dangerous, but the confidence has been shot and you can't have faith that he would win enough of the extended rallies to come through this match.
He is also up against a Jeremy Chardy that is on course in putting together the best season of his career and he has the game that transfers very well onto the grass courts. Chardy has a decent first serve and is comfortable at the net and showed his ability on grass by reaching the Quarter Final in Hertogenbosch and the Third Round at Wimbledon.
Confidence can make all the difference in close tennis matches and that is certainly behind Chardy who might have enough consistency off the ground to come through. There has also been enough success on the grass courts last season to extend that belief and Chardy may just come through in three sets to move into the Second Round.
Jurgen Melzer - 2.5 games v Daniel Evans: Last season saw Daniel Evans really come to the attention for casual fans of British tennis with his run to the Third Round of the US Open following on from a couple of big wins here at Queens earlier in the season.
The First Round this season does give Evans a chance to move through the draw, because Jurgen Melzer lacks the consistency of his former days. However, Melzer should also be comfortable on the grass courts as someone who has had success on the surface in the past including reaching the Fourth Round last season at Wimbledon.
Melzer has a strong serve and finds himself very comfortable when he gets to the net and those attributes gives him a good chance to win matches on the grass courts, although he can be caught cold in his first appearances on the surface.
If the Austrian serves well, he should build confidence in this match and find chances on the Evans serve, although concentration might be an issue in dropping a silly set. I still think Melzer should be too good and back him to come through with a 63, 46, 64 win.
Feliciano Lopez - 4.5 games v Dusan Lajovic: There are a few players that will be appreciating the surface change from clay to grass and one of those is Feliciano Lopez who won a title at this time of the year twelve months ago. His big lefty serve and volleying skills makes Lopez a dangerous opponent on the grass courts and he has enjoyed plenty of success here at Queens, including a win over Rafael Nadal.
The match up with Dusan Lajovic looks a good one in the First Round, even if the Serbian is coming off his best Tour result by reaching the Fourth Round at the French Open.
Lajovic hasn't won a grass court match since turning professional with four straight losses to his name, while his serve might be vulnerable because it isn't one that will win a lot of free points during the match.
He will have to deal with the slice that Lopez loves to play with the backhand, one that will keep especially low on the grass courts, whilst also trying to prevent the Spaniard attacking the net.
All in all, it is a tough draw for the young player and I think Lopez rolls through with a 63, 64 win.
MY PICKS: Jeremy Chardy @ 2.00 Stan James (2 Units)
Jurgen Melzer - 2.5 Games @ 1.73 Unibet (2 Units)
Feliciano Lopez - 4.5 Games @ 2.00 Paddy Power (2 Units)
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