To help you answer those questions, read on below as we take a look at some of the favorites, the top sleepers and one attractive long shot for this tournament. And while you’re at it, click here to check out our complete preview of the women’s side.
Tennis News and Previews
2016 ATP Ricoh Open Men’s Singles Preview and Prediction
Where: Autotron Rosmalen, s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands
When: June 6 – 12, 2016
Surface: Grass (Outdoor)
TV Broadcast: Tennis Channel
Favorites
David Ferrer
David Ferrer continues to defy Father Time, winning 21 of his 32 matches overall this year. More importantly, that stretch includes a pair of quarterfinal appearances (Australian Open, Rio De Janeiro) and a trio of semifinal finishes at Auckland, Buenos Aires and Geneva.
Well, most of those triumphs have been on clay or on the hard court. Ferrer, who is 7-3 in his past 10 matches, has yet to test his mettle on grass—a surface which has arguably been his weakest. Nevertheless, it’s hard not to be optimistic about the World No. 14’s chances of emerging supreme at Rosmalen. He still poses as a serious threat despite being past his prime.
Bernard Tomic
Bernard Tomic can certainly end up as the champion at the 2016 Ricoh Open as well. He’s young, extremely talented and battle tested. The 23-year-old Australian started the year on a strong note, reaching at least the quarterfinals in four of the first six tournaments he joined. That run includes a fourth-round date with World No. 2 Andy Murray in the 2016 Australian Open, and an entertaining finals showdown with the always-dangerous Dominic Thiem at Acapulco.
Yes, Tomic ended up losing those matches, but they have given him plenty of experiences to learn from. He can use all of those lessons to improve his play and motivate himself further to win it all at Rosmalen. The World No. 23, though, has lost seven of his previous 10 matches overall.
Sleepers
Sam Querrey
Sam Querrey has had a number of good moments this year, and he could add another one in Rosmalen. The 28-year-old American has made a pair of semifinals appearances at Memphis and Acapulco, while bringing home the trophy at the Delray Beach Open.
Moreover, Querrey’s is no stranger to grass courts. In fact, he has fared quite well on that kind of surface throughout his career, owning a 41-28 record. But it’s worth noting that the World No. 37 has fallen short in five of his last seven matches.
Nicolas Mahut
Nicolas Mahut is quite old, but you can’t count him out just yet. He’s the defending champion, after all, and is mostly known to have a lot of success on grass. The 34-year-old Frenchman has won 13 of his last 17 matches on that surface.
However, Mahut’s bound to be in a serious predicament, if he ends up facing opponents, who are younger, faster and have a lot of stamina to play through long matches.
Long Shot
Igor Sijsling
Igor Sijsling is still searching for his first career singles title, and that could finally happen this week at Rosmalen. The odds won’t be on his side, but the fans will surely be cheering him on every step of the way. The 28-year-old Dutchman is 18-14 this year, but has lost seven of his last 11 matches on grass.
Writer’s Prediction
David Ferrer wins it all.
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