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Fans’ guide to the week: October 18-24


 

Originally published on: 15/10/10 17:54

If Stockholm Open

When? October 18-24, 2010
Where? Stockholm, Sweden
Event type: ATP World Tour 250
Surface: Indoor Hard
Prize money:
€531,000
Draw size: S- 28, D-16
2009 champion: Marcos Baghdatis

The Swedish capital welcomes Roger Federer back into the fold after his 10-year absence from the tournament. The Swiss reached round two in his one and only appearance in 2000, but he’ll be keen to clinch a third tour title of 2010 – and the 64th of his career – in Stockholm. Home favourite Robin Soderling plans to stop the 16-time Grand Slam champion in his tracks, while Thomas Berdych and Ivan Ljubicic are also out to challenge the world No.3.

Soderling could be particularly dangerous on home turf and will look to make up for last year’s disappointment, when an elbow injury forced him to withdraw from his semi-final against Marcos Baghdatis, who went on to defeat Olivier Rochus in the final.

WTA Luxembourg Open

When? October 18-24 2010
Where? Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Event type: WTA International
Surface:
Indoor Hard
Prize money: $220,000
Draw size: S-32, D-16
2009 Champion: Timea Bacsinszky

The only top 10 player in the draw, Elena Dementieva leads the line in Luxembourg as she looks to regain the crown she relinquished to Timea Bacsinszky last year. Frenchwoman Aravane Rezai and Belgium’s Yanina Wickmayer will provide stern tests for the Russian, while Ana Ivanovic could also be one to watch for the overall. The Serb looks to be back in form and, after slipping out of the top 50 earlier this year, will be eager to win her second Luxembourg title having won the event in 2007.

Britain’s Anne Keothavong will also feature in the 32-strong line-up and the 27-year-old Londoner will hope for another confidence-boosting win to add to her scalp of world No.41 Jarmila Groth in Linz this week.

ATP/WTA Kremlin Cup

When? October 18-24 2010
Where? Moscow, Russia
Event type: ATP World Tour 250 / WTA Premier
Surface: Indoor Hard
Prize money: $1,000,000
Draw size: ATP S-28, D-16 / WTA S-32, D-16
2009 ATP champion: Mikhail Youzhny
2009 WTA champion: Francesca Schiavone

On the women’s side, defending champ Francesca Schiavone will target a hard court title to add to her clay court victories in Barcelona and Roland Garros earlier this year. It’ll be no easy feat for the 30-year-old Milan native, who will be joined by the likes of Jelena Jankovic and Victoria Azarenka in taking a pop at the title. As always, the event includes a healthy Russian contingent, with two-time Grand Slam finalist Vera Zvonareva leading the charge. The world No.3 has been in tremendous form this year – and after her runner-up finish in Beijing earlier this month – she is sure to be a strong favourite in front of her home crowd.

Meanwhile, the men’s draw has its fair share of quality with four top 20 players on show including four-time champion Nikolay Davydenko, who will be looking to put his recent poor form behind him with another victory here. The Russian will face stiff competition from Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Marcos Baghdatis and last year’s winner Mikhail Youzhny.

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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.