Add to that Novak Djokovic’s mini-resurgence with surely one of the most fortunate runs to a Masters final in recent memory and Andy Murray’s sublime displays at times and you have quite a tournament on the East Coast.
This week promises something quite different as the clay court swing begins with ATP 250 events in Marrakech and Houston.
Both tournaments look extremely tough to call, but the Houston event appears to hold the most promise as far as betting is concerned.
Although a red dirt event, this one has something for the bigger hitters, as recent wins for Ivo Karlovic, Mardy Fish and Andy Roddick confirms.
Favourite and top seed in Houston is world number 14 James Blake, who reached the final here 12 months ago, losing to Marcel Granollers, but Blake is is no sort of form at the moment and appears at the age of 29 to be sliding uncontrollably down the rankings.
With a distinctly average eight wins to five losses ratio so far this season and never having emerged victorious from Houston in eight starts, Blake is certainly lay material at around 6.5.
The other seeded players in the American’s half of the draw offer more appeal including the likes of Maximo Gonzalez (26.0), who has had some decent results on the South American challenger circuit this year including a win in Santiago last month.
The Argentinean is one for the short list, although this is his tournament debut and no South American has won this since Fernando Gonzalez in 2000.
Jeremy Chardy
Jeremy Chardy
Jeremy Chardy
Jeremy Chardy
Jeremy Chardy
Jeremy Chardy
Jeremy Chardy
