Predicted Winner in BOLD

C = Correct, X = Incorrect

Grand Prix Hassan II- Casablanca, Morocco

Final
Pablo Andujar (3) vs. Albert Ramos (7) 6-1, 1-1 in-progress – I will not make a prediction as the match is already in progress.  I am ill today and did not get to posting early enough.  Still, if the score holds Andujar will have a title under his belt.  He has played great tennis all week.

I did rebound from my awful early week picks in Morocco to finish the event picking 9 out of 17 matches correctly.  My Casablanca picks were not much better than flipping a coin.

U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship – Houston

Final

John Isner (2) vs. Juan Monaco (4) – After Monaco’s strong showing in Miami and Isner’s Davis Cup domination, I put a poll question out about who would be more likely to win on clay between these two.

I think a three out of five set match that Monaco would benefit as he may have time to figure out how to return Isner’s serve more effectively.  This match will afford Monaco less time.  My guess is that any point that goes beyond four strokes will favor Monaco heavily.  Short points will favor Isner.  If Big John can dictate, he will win the match.  If Monaco can prevent Isner from dictating, the Argentine will win the match.  Isner has improved his return game and movement, but Monaco should be focused on holding serve and trying to make the big man move.

I think John Isner will win this match in two or three tight sets.  However, I think that Monaco would win  if they meet in a three out of five set clay court match in Paris.  I do think it is great that both men are building on recent successes in Houston.  Too often a player shows some fight in an event or two and then fades back into the pack.  Both men seem to be carving out a strong 2012.  X– I like both Monaco and Isner a lot.  This was a hard one to pick, and I got it wrong.  I do think this match shows why Isner will struggle to push past great South American and European baseline players to make a deep run in Paris.  His three clay court Davis Cup wins this year and near miss versus Rafa last year demonstrate that he can win on clay, but the road will be hard.  Monaco could be a final eight player in Paris.  Great showings in Miami and now Houston boost his career.