The mens tournament is an enigma for me. I have no idea who to pick as a winner for the draw challenge. I picked Djokovic for all 3 ATP 1000 so far (obvious fail in IW and Miami
), but I was kind of biased since he is my favorite ATP player :lol:
I can't see Rafa winning here for some reason. He hasn't been this vulnerable on clay since 2005 probably. He lost to Zeballos in a clay final
and lost sets to various mugs :lol: Obviously, it would be foolish to count him out as he is, in my opinion at least, the greatest player on clay ever.
I hope Novak can win, but flopping after a good result has been his thing lately :lol: He doesn't need to play his best to beat anyone on clay, he is definitely a favorite, so hopefully no brainfarts like in IW and Miami. He's already won in 2011, so hopefully he can bring it this year.
As for the WTA event, it will be interesting to see if Serena can win a red clay tournament. She hasn't won one since 2002, but she has been able to play great on clay and win big titles such as Charleston in 2008, 2012 and this year and Madrid last year. Since red clay is the slower than other types of clay, her weapons aren't as big, mainly her serve. She is a favorite at any event she enters, but I somehow can't see her winning here. I could be wrong, obviously.
I can see Vika doing well here, like I said. I think she's very underrated on clay. Last year she was exhausted when the clay court season came, yet she managed to reach 2 big finals in Stuttgart and Madrid. Surface does make a difference, but it doesn't make all the difference in the world. She is still a fighter and the mentally toughest player on tour in the last 2 years. If the cards align for her this year, I don't see a reason why she couldn't win Madrid.
Maria is also a favorite, this goes without saying. She can beat anyone (apart from Serena) on clay.
Somehow, I don't see NaNa or Petra winning (mental headcases), but I could see either of them in the final. It would be funny to see who would win this match, though I think it would be Petra, NaNa is just hopeless in finals :lol:
Also, I hope the Empress doesn't flop to Ivanovic for the 50th time.