Here are five players to watch on the ATP World Tour this week as the tour continues in Rio De Janeiro, Marseille and Delray Beach.
1. Marin Cilic
Only the new world number one, Roger Federer managed to stop Marin Cilic from capturing a second grand slam title in Melbourne and renewed consistency is a welcome sight for all fans. However this week he looks to continue his form on a different surface when he takes to the clay courts of Rio De Janeiro. Can he overcome a top quality field and gain his 18th career title?
2. Dominic Thiem
Despite his struggles on the hard courts to start the season, the powerful Austrian managed to return to the winners circle after winning his first title in a year in Buenos Aires last week. The 24 year old looks at home on clay and will look to continue his confident style of tennis in Rio this week, where he is defending champion. The Austrian will need to overcome some top clay court players and a strong Spanish contingent if he wants to successfully defend his title in Brazil.
3. Kevin Anderson
Kevin Anderson managed to regain his form after winning the New York title and heading towards a new career high ranking of number nine in the world. The tall South African will have to battle a top qualify field in Florida this week including a possible Quarter-Final contest with a returning Milos Raonic. It is important for Anderson to keep his positive tennis going and gain another good performance in Delray Beach this week.
Incredible feeling to reach a new career-high ranking. #9 🙌 pic.twitter.com/xrdZz7ogeB
— Kevin Anderson (@KAndersonATP) February 19, 2018
4. Juan Martin Del Potro
The tall Argentinian has had a rocky start to the new season after his fourth round exit to Tomas Berdych at the Australian Open. The world number 10 will look to battle personal problems this week as he looks to gain positive experiences on the court instead of negative feelings off the court. A possible Quarter-Final with Australian Open Semi-Finalist, Hyeon Chung, looks likely in Florida and the former US Open champion will have to play well to gain another title this week.
5. Stan Wawrinka
After a disappointing early exit in Rotterdam last week, the multiple time grand slam champion will look to capitalise on an opportunistic draw in Marseille this week. Wawrinka will look to gain more matches under his belt as he looks to build more momentum heading into the ‘Sunshine Double’ in March. He will have to overcome the likes of Lucas Pouille and Roberto Bautista Agut if he wants to claim another ATP World Tour title.
