Tennis Picks 2021 (March 9th)

It wasn't the best end to the week, but it could have been a lot worse if not for a stronger second half compared with the first half for the Tennis Picks.

The tournament being held in Dubai this week for some of the very best names on the WTA Tour did begin on Sunday (as they push for the Saturday finish), but the majority of the events being played this week get their main draws underway on Monday.

Roger Federer will grab the headlines as he returns for the first time over twelve months and I do like what we have seen on the practice courts, although match play will take some time to be restored to the level he would like. He is playing in Doha and then Dubai next week, but Federer will skip the first Masters event of the season in Miami and then begin his build for a return to the French Open, which was unexpected.

I am not that surprised he will avoid travelling to the States, but I thought Federer's clay court career was over when he missed the French Open in recent seasons. The main threat he poses remains on the grass and the hard courts, but I think the competitive tennis is important to him so he can be best prepared for what is likely to be a Wimbledon Championships beginning in June.

There are other top names playing in Doha, Marseille and Chile on the ATP Tour this week and the big WTA event in Dubai has brought together plenty of the best players on that side of the Tour so it should be another good week for Tennis fans.

For the Tennis Picks I have to look for a stronger opening and then try and push forward with the first winning week of the season. It has been a struggle at times, but I do think the identification is still working well enough and it is more about having a bit of luck that is often needed whenever you make a Pick.

It looks like being a potentially very busy week with the amount of tournaments and matches to come, but a strong start is imperative to lay a foundation for the week ahead.

I didn't really find any angles on Monday that were appealing to get the Tennis Picks going this week, but Tuesday looks to have provided a few more options.

The WTA Dubai tournament looks like it is going to be played at a rapid pace and that means there are a lot more matches due out on the court early in the week than we will see in Marseille, Doha or Santiago, but a lot of matches doesn't mean there will be a lot of selections.

I will add any selections from the ATP Santiago tournament and the matches scheduled for Tuesday when the full markets are out, but for now you can see my Picks from the Tuesday action below.

MY PICKS: Vasek Pospisil - 2.5 Games @ 2.00 Paddy Power (2 Units)

Anett Kontaveit - 5.5 Games @ 2.10 Paddy Power (2 Units)

Jessica Pegula - 5.5 Games @ 1.91 Bet Fred (2 Units)

Jelena Ostapenko - 1.5 Games @ 2.00 Bet Fred (2 Units)

Jaume Munar - 2.5 Games @ 1.83 Bet Victor (2 Units)