The tennis tour has arrived on European shores for the beginning of the clay season and the build-up to a busy summer time.
There can be completely different priorities for Britain’s main gamers, with Emma Raducanu taking her first steps on clay, Cameron Norrie now a top-10 star and Andy Murray getting ready for grass.
Right here we take a look at what lies forward.
What’s occurring this week?
The boys kick off the European clay swing with the Monte-Carlo Masters. Norrie is the seventh seed whereas Dan Evans, who defeated Novak Djokovic on the identical match final yr and reached the semi-finals in a breakthrough efficiency on clay, will bid to finish a three-match shedding run. Raducanu leads Britain’s ladies in opposition to the Czech Republic within the Billie Jean King Cup in Prague on Friday and Saturday.
How’s Raducanu trying?
It has been a troublesome begin to the season for the US Open champion with sickness, damage and solely two victories. The excellent news is the 19-year-old has been displaying some encouraging kind however she has struggled to recover from the road in matches. One other reminder of how inexperienced she stays is that her opening match in Prague can be her first senior outing on clay at any degree.
What are Britain enjoying for?
A spot within the BJK Cup finals later this yr. The Czechs have a lot of gamers lacking however nonetheless boast a really robust line-up and go in as huge favourites. Even when Britain lose they might nonetheless be given a spot on the finals if the Garden Tennis Affiliation is profitable in its bid to host the occasion.
The place’s Andy Murray?
Murray has determined to skip the clay season and as an alternative deal with a coaching block to arrange for grass, the place he has one of the best likelihood of success. It can additionally permit him to spend an prolonged interval on the observe courtroom in Florida with coach Ivan Lendl after the pair agreed to work collectively for a 3rd time. Murray has misplaced within the second spherical in his final six tournaments and is hoping Lendl will once more handle to get one of the best out of him.
Can Norrie go increased?
A spot within the high 10 may be very effectively deserved for Norrie after his distinctive kind over the previous 18 months. It appeared he might battle to again up final season when he misplaced his first 4 matches of this yr however he has been flying once more since and clay fits his bodily fashion and constant recreation. To go increased, Norrie might want to begin emulating his common tour kind on the slams, the place he has to this point not made it previous the third spherical.
Anybody else to look out for?
Twenty-year-old Jack Draper has surged up the rankings this season, successful 4 titles on the second tier Challenger Tour to climb to 122, making him the British quantity 4. Clay can be a check however count on to see Draper within the high 100 quickly. Liam Broady can be pushing on in the direction of two figures.
Kaynak: briturkish.com
