Fret not. Despite the biggest stars of the tennis world snubbing the 2016 Brasil Open, we’ll still get some high-level action on the clay court. A pretty even field of competitors should bring us plenty of thrills and moments at Sao Paulo, Brazil for a chance of getting some precious points for the ATP Tour. Read on as we take a look at the field of competitors taking center stage for this tournament.
Get plenty more from this tournament with our feature of the top sleeper picks.
Pablo Cuevas is having a splendid time in Brazil at the moment. He recently bested Rafael Nadal, 7-6 (6), 6-7 (3), 6-4, in the semifinal of the Rio Open on Saturday. But he hasn’t taken one step further in the tournament against Guido Pella with the match suspended due to rain. Cuevas will have a pretty manageable road at Sao Paulo at the upcoming 2016 Brasil Open as the No. 3 seed of the tournament.
Thomaz Bellucci is the home favorite and is seeded second in the tournament. Brazil has not seen a home-grown champion recently, but Belluci has come quite close. He reached the final in 2009 when he lost to Tommy Robredo. He reached the semifinals in 2014, losing to eventual champion Federico Delbonis. With the withdrawal of Fabio Fognini due to a ruptured oblique, the road to the final is much clearer for the native Paulistano.
Sleepers – Pablo Andujar and Paolo Lorenzi
Pablo Andujar has made a name for himself on the clay court, having seven finals on this surface. He has three titles on the surface and could be a very dangerous out as the eighth seed in this tournament. He’ll be hard-pressed to make up for a disappointing outing at this tournament last season; he was upset in three sets by Dusan Lajovic in the Round of 32.
Paolo Lorenzi hasn’t won a title on the ATP Tour just yet. But his time may come in the 2016 Brasil Open. Plenty of the top-ranked tennis players in the world won’t be playing at this tournament as most of them are focused on playing on the hard court this early into the season. Lorenzi has been pretty good on clay this year, going 5-2 in seven matches. Expect Lorenzi to put even more energy in a tournament he has plenty of chances to win.
Long Shot – Daniel Gimeno-Traver
The one and only time Daniel Gimeno-Traver reached an ATP Tour final happened on clay at the Gran Prix Hassan II in April 2015. He reached the finals of the 2011 Brasil Open in the doubles category, teaming up with Pablo Andujar. Gimeno-Traver should be a live dog in this tournament, missing plenty of stars. He should have his moments here and there as a strong competitor on clay.
Writer’s Prediction
Thomaz Bellucci wins the 2016 Brasil Open in his hometown of Sao Paulo.
