Mercedes Cup Preview
By Tennis Insiders
Covers.com
Seeding:
Roger Federer tops the seeding, and will be fancied by many to lift the title here. Last year's semi-finalist Marin Cilic is No.2 seed, with the newest entrant to the world's top ten, Dominic Thiem seeded No.3. Other notable seeds are Spaniard Feliciano Lopez, three time Wimbledon quarter-finalist & runner up in Stuttgart last season Viktor Troicki, seeded No.5 & No.8 respectively.
Draw:
The top half of the draw is difficult, Federer may have to face Troicki, followed by the winner of a Thiem/Lopez matchup. Troicki is dangerous, compiling a 10-4 grass record last season. Dominic Thiem has played magnificent tennis this season, but the Austrian will struggle, playing for the 4th consecutive week and following a grand slam semi-final appearance, I would not be surprised to see him drop out early here. Feliciano Lopez serve & volley style makes him a tough out on this surface, but readjusting to grass & recovering from his doubles win in Paris on Saturday will be difficult also.
The bottom half of the draw is stacked with talent, displayed by the mouth-watering matchup between Juan Martin Del Potro v Grigror Dimitrov in the first round. Marin Cilic faces a tough task advancing to the finals here, he'll face home hero Philipp Kohlschreiber in the quarter-finals, with a potential semi-final v Simon. There looks to be much more dangerous undseeded players in this half, Baghdatis & Dimitrov can cause anyone major problems on their day.
Futures:
As expected, Roger Federer will be hot favorite here. Lack of match sharpness & lingering injuries are alarming though, and there is no value here (+120).
Take a look at Philipp Kohlschreiber (+1200). The German loves playing at home, claiming the title in Munich already this season. He's appeared in 8 tour finals in his home country, and is always dangerous on the grass.