ATP Tour Match of the Week: Almagro vs. Hanescu

The last ATP match before the French Open begins.

It's on clay, in Nice, so that favors the Spaniard, Almagro.  Hanescu has done well to get to the finals here.  His run will come to an end as Almagro owns Hanescu in three career meetings.

Both players are looking for momentum heading into Roland Garros, and Almagro should be able to pick up another clay court title.  He's kind of a reincarnation of Albert Costa.  Costa would travel the world looking for clay court events, even though he was competent on hard courts.

Prediction:  Almagro in two sets.

ATP Tour Match of the Week: Djokovic vs. Murray

Can anyone stop The Joker?  Not so far in 2011, and he has moved into the semi-finals of the Italian Open.

His opponent, Andy Murray.

Djokovic holds a 5-3 lifetime edge over Murray, and Murray hasn't beaten Djokovic since 2009.  The duo has met only once on clay, and that was back in 2008 in Monte Carlo.  Djokovic won that match.

I don't see Murray beating Djokovic on Saturday, but I see a competitive match.  Djokovic in 3 sets.

ATP Tour Match of the Week: Djokovic vs. Bellucci

Did I surprise you this week by picking this match and not the obvious Nadal/Federer showdown?

This is an inriguing match and surprisingly these two have only met once.  Djokovic won last year in Rome 6-4, 6-4.  Look at the tale of the tape and how even it is until you hit the last three lines and then it gets ugly.

Djokovic has quite a winning streak going and for that reason alone, this is a must see match.

I like Djokovic to keep the winning ways going as he will probably win in 3-sets.  6-4 in the third.

Here's hoping for a Nadal vs. Djokovic final on clay, in Spain.

ATP Tour Match of the Week: Del Potro vs. Cuevas

Two players who are having great 2011's will be facing off in the semi-finals in Estoril.

Del Potro is on his way up the rankings for the second time as he is making a comeback after missing about a year of action. 

Cuevas is only 25, but he's been a pro since 2004.  Cuevas has had wins over Roddick, Blake and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez so far this year.

Should be an interesting matchup on clay, but I give the edge to Del Potro.  Delpo wins 7-5, 6-4.

ATP Tour Match of the Week: Ferrer vs. Almagro

Two Spaniards in the semis of Barcelona.

Ferrer is in the top-10, Almagro will be in the top-10 when the new rankings come out next week.

Ferrer owns the career head-to-head 6-0.  Their last meeting was this year in Acapulco on clay when Ferrer won in three sets.

Look for Almagro to play relaxed tennis and give Ferrer all he wants.  The winner of this match will have the honor of losing to Rafa Nadal in the finals.  Look for Ferrer to pull it out in 3 tough sets.