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The 2019 Rotterdam Open has already proved to be a graveyard for many seeded players even as the tournament has just begun.
The number two seed Karen Khachanov lost to the unheralded Tallon Griekspoor in the first round itself. The third seed and the surprise Australian Open semi-finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas too lost his first round match to Damir Dzumhur. The fourth seed Milos Raonic has also been felled by a resurgent Stan Wawrinka in the Round of 16.
Apart from these shocking early round losses of the top seeds, there have also been high profile withdrawals just before the tournament in the form of the sixth seed Lucas Pouille and the seventh seed Roberto Bautista Agut.
However, despite the disappointment of losing so many terrific players early into the tournament, there is still a lot to look forward to in the 2019 Rotterdam Open.
So, here is a list of four players who are likely to win the tournament this year:
#1 Kei Nishikori
The Japanese number one came into this tournament on the back of a quarter-final showing at the year’s first Grand Slam. Though the manner of his exit from the Australian Open through injury was a bit of concern for his fans, he has helped assuage some of those fears through his first round performance at Rotterdam.
Though he was not clearly at his best against Pierre-Hugues Herbert, and was stretched to three sets, he showed little signs of injury or fatigue, which is a great sign going into the latter stages of the tournament.
His Round of 16 opponent is the eccentric Ernests Gulbis, who is not exactly known for his consistency. He may produce flashes of brilliance, but Nishikori should not face much difficulty in progressing further.
With many seeded players gone so early into the tournament, Kei must fancy his chances. At the moment, he is certainly the overwhelming favourite to lift the trophy.
#2 Stan Wawrinka
It has been a difficult year and a half for the injury-plagued Swiss star. But unlike Andy Murray, it seems Stan Wawrinka could still get back to the elite level he is capable of. His performances in the first two rounds at Rotterdam have been quite impressive.
In the first round against Benoit Paire, he showcased his all-round game. He had an impressive 72% first serve win percentage and a not-so-shabby 52% second serve win percentage.
He had an even better outing against Milos Raonic in the second round, where he handed the Canadian a straight-set thrashing. Though he could keep only 52% of his first serves in, he managed to win a whopping 91% of his first serves. His second serve win percentage was at an impressive 67% as well.
He is going to meet another Canadian, the Next Gen star Denis Shapovalov in the quarter-final. But on current form, it is difficult to bet against him not just getting past the next round, but going all the way. He is certainly one of the favourites from here on.
2019 ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament News, Updates, Predictions, Schedule, Result & Scores on Sportskeeda
#3 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Like Wawrinka, the former Australian Open finalist, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has had to endure a rough couple of years owing to injuries. In his second round loss to Djokovic at the Australian Open, he showed signs of getting back to his best.
But it is at the Open Sud de France that he proved to himself and the tennis world that he is on the way back to where he belongs – among the top players in the world. During his title-winning run there, he brushed aside top opponents such as Herbert, Simon and Chardy.
At Rotterdam too, he has begun well by getting it past Thomas Fabbiano in straight sets. He had an impressive 85% first serve win percentage and a brilliant 75% second serve win percentage.
He will next face the giant-killing Tallon Griekspoor who is coming off an impressive win of his own, against Karen Khachanov. But Tsonga is high on confidence and should be able to get past Griekspoor. At the moment, he too is one of the favourites to win the Rotterdam Open this year.
#4 Daniil Medvedev
The young Russian player is one of the most improved players on the ATP circuit. He has followed up his 2018 breakthrough season with creditable performances at the early stages of the 2019 season.
He gave a mighty scare to the eventual champion Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open in the Round of 16, before faltering at the latter stages of the match. He followed that up with a title winning run at Sofia Open, in which he got past players of the caliber of Monfils, Fucsovics and Klizan.
At Rotterdam, he has begun well by getting past the experienced Jeremy Chardy in straight sets and is next scheduled to meet Fernando Verdasco. Unless he is fatigued by too much tennis after his Sofia Open title, he must be considered a contender for the Rotterdam title as well.
