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Writer's pictureTodd Scoullar

FEBRUARY TURNS INTO MARCH IN WEEK 8 ON TOUR



ATP:


Dubai 500, UAE:


Plenty of quality players in the Middle East this week, including world number 1, Novak Djokovic in his first tournament since winning the Australian Open, who will be looking to keep his perfect season going. Daniil Medvedev will be aiming for three tournament wins on the trot, while two Aussies received wildcards, Thanasi Kokkinakis, and Alexei Popyrin and Chris O'Connell qualified winning his two matches. It’d be nice to see them get through a few matches this week.


Acapulco 500, Mexico:


A nice field assembled in Mexico, with four top ten players, including Carlos Alcaraz, Casper Ruud, Talylor Fritz, and Holger Rune. Australia’s Alex De Minaur will be hoping to get some more matches under the belt before the Sunshine double in USA. Rafael Nadal has won this event two of the last three years, but without him this year, it’s an open tournament.


Santiago 250, Chile:


The sole 250 event of the week, and as always in Chile, you can expect big crowds to attend. The tournament has only been in Santiago for three years, and all three winners are in town again. Brazil’s Thiago Seybold-Wild is battling through qualifying, while Christian Garin, the hometown hero, and Spaniard Pedro Martinez, will be hoping to find more success in South America. However, top seed Lorenzo Musetti will be expecting a big showing as the only top 20 player.


ATP Challenger:


Pau 125, France:


The biggest Challenger of the week, located near the Pyrenees mountains. We have one Aussie in action, Li Tu. He’ll be up against a fairly strong field, including French trio, top seed Arthur Rindernech, Ugo Humbert, and the young gun Arthur Fils, who has had a brilliant start to the year, and is moving quickly up the rankings from outside 250 at the start of year, he’s already at 118.


Pune 100, India:


Another Challenger in India this week, with Pune back on the schedule after a few years hiatus. James Duckworth was the most recent winner in 2019, and is back this year as the top seed. Joining him, are a trio of Aussies, Max Purcell, who will be looking to continue his good form, Dane Sweeney, and Marc Polmans.


Waco 75, USA:


Plenty of Aussies here at one of the new Challenger events on the calendar. Jordan Thompson and Rinky Hijikata fill the top two seedings. Aleksandar Vukic will take on Thompson in the opening round, while Alex Bolt has used his protected ranking to get into the field.


WTA:


Austin 250, USA:


Austria’s Magda Linette takes the top seeding here at this new WTA event. There are a few dangerous players below her though, such as Danielle Collins, and Shuai Zhang.


Monterrey 250, Mexico:


The same location as the men’s Challenger event last week, plays host to a 250 women’s event. Leylah Fernandez has taken out this title two years running, but there’ll be a new winner this year, as she hasn’t made the trip to Mexico. Caroline Garcia is the sole top 20 player, and will be a clear favourite to take the trophy home.


ITF:


W60 Arcadia, USA:


Grand Slam semi-finalist, Sara Errani, at 35 years old, takes top billing this week, with a ranking of 106. Only four players in the top 100 here, so it’s a good chance for the Italian to push back into the top 100.


W60 Trnava, Slovakia:


A much stronger field in Slovakia, with ten players inside the top 200, and two inside 100, Tamara Korpatsch, and Julia Grabner. France’s Oceane Dodin will be hoping to sneak back inside the top 100 shortly, on the back of a great start to the year, having won three titles already.


W25 Swan Hill, Australia:


The women are back in Swan Hill for another week, and Arina Rodionova will be looking for back to back titles, while Maddison Ingles will be hoping to turn the tables after falling just short last week. Olivia Gadecki is the clear top seed, as the only top 200 player.


M25 Swan Hill, Australia:


Another week in Swan Hill for the men too, with Tristan Schoolkate hoping to go back to back. Plenty of other Aussies will be hoping he doesn’t, including top seed Omar Jasika, Thomas Fancutt, and runner-up last week, Philip Sekulic.

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