Fans’ guide to the week ahead: Feb 23 2009
Originally published on: 26/02/10 11:29
Our who, where, what, when and why guide to the best tennis on planet Earth over the next seven days
Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships
When? Feb 23-28
Where? Dubai, UAE
Event type? ATP World Tour 500
Surface? Hard
Prize money? $2,233,000
Draw size? Singles 32, Doubles 16
Big names? With the absence of world No.1 and 2 Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer respectively, Scottish second seed Andy Murray is most peoples tournament favourite in the UAE. Murray has been almost unstoppable this year with only defeat to Fernando Verdasco in Melbourne blotting his 2009 report card. Among those wholl be keen to inflict a second defeat of the year on Murray are top-seeded Serb Novak Djokovic, Frenchman Gilles Simon and in-form Croat Marin Cilic. Will we see Muzza notch up his third title of the year and improve on his 13-1 match record for the season?
Web? Barclaysdubaitennischampionships.com
Delray Beach International Tennis Championships
When? Feb 23-28
Where? Delray Beach, Florida, USA
Event type? ATP World Tour 250
Surface? Outdoor Hard
Prize money? $500,000
Draw Size? Singles 32, Doubles 16
Big names? Last weeks doubles winner in Memphis, Mardy Fish, is top seed in Delray Beach this week and is looking to become the first American winner since Jan-Michael Gambill in 2003. He will have to fend off a full-bodied American posse, however, in the form of No.2 seed Sam Querrey, Vince Spadea, Robert Kendrick, Bobby Reynolds and wild card Evan King. Surprise package could be Aussie Lleyton Hewitt who reached the semis in Memphis last week.
Web? Yellowtennisball.com
Abierto Mexicano Telcel
When? Feb 23-28
Where? Acapulco, Mexico
Event type? ATP World Tour 500
Surface? Red clay
Prize money? $1,226,500
Draw size? Singles 32, Doubles 16
Big names? Fourth seed Nicolas Almagro will be hoping to forget his first round upset in Buenos Aires last week and live up to his billing as defending champ in Acapulco. He has a tough field to contend with, however, as two-time winners Carlos Moya and Juan Ignacio Chela feature in the draw. Top seed David Nalbandian has had a shaky start to the season with a 5-3-match record which should give the other clay-court specialists some hope. Among them will be Spains Tommy Robredo, whos going for his third title in as many weeks after titles in Brazil and Argentina in the last fortnight.
Web? Abiertomextenis.com.mx
Abierto Mexicano TELCEL presentado por HSBC
When? Feb 23-28
Where? Acapulco, Mexico
Event type? WTA International
Surface? Red clay
Prize money? $220,000
Draw? Singles 32, Doubles 16
Big names? The only womens event this week sees top seed and last weeks Dubai champ Venus Williams getting some early clay court practice in Acapulco this week. Among the contenders vying to take out the world No.5 will be defending champion Flavia Pennetta, Aussie Open quarter-finalist Carla Suarez Navarro and Czech fourth seed Iveta Benesova.
Web? Abiertomextenis.com.mx
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