While some of the world’s best head to America to kick off their US hard court season, others will still be battling on the European clay for points to try and wiggle their way into the main draws of the Rogers Cup in Montreal and the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati by earning some vital points in Kitzbuhel for the Generali Open. Last year’s champion David Goffin is back to defend his title.
The tournament favorites
The Belgian Goffin comes back to the ground where he won his first career tour-level title in Kitzbuhel. Currently, he’s playing in Gstaad and still in the tournament. Last year’s finalist Dominic Thiem is the local favorite and should have the support of the crowd with him as he looks to add to his title tally this year already having won in Nice and Umag. Like Goffin, he is also currently playing in Gstaad.
The enigmatic character known as Fabio Fognini will be making an appearance in Austria. He is one of three Italians in the field along with Andreas Seppi as one of the other favorites. German Philipp Kohlschreiber is trying to kick start his season after having a disappointing season to date.
Argentine Juan Monaco, winner in 2007 and one of four different Argentines to win in a four-year span from 05-08, is having a bounce back season which is highlighted by his quarterfinals appearance at the Miami Open.
The countryman
Other than Thiem, there will be three other Austrians in the field. The notable of the three is Jurgen Melzer who is a former top ten player. He is receiving a wild card into this event along with Dennis Novak. Andreas Haider-Maurer, a top 50 player in the ATP, is the other Austrian in the main draw.
The Spanish “Armada”
Since most Spaniards struggle on the quicker surfaces, a number of them will be playing at Kitzbuhel this upcoming week led by Pablo Andujar. Nicolas Almagro and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez are some of the other top Spanish guys who will be there. Youngster Pablo Carreno Busta is looking to follow-up his strong showing so far in Gstaad with another in Austria.
The best of the rest
Joao Sousa is having a fantastic year to date having made three semifinals already this year. He lost in the Montpellier semifinal to Jerzy Janowicz, was a finalist in Geneva, and was a finalist last week in Umag. He is currently in Gstaad with the other favorites as all top eight seeds advanced there. Martin Klizan is also capable of putting together a strong week as the lefty could do damage on the clay.