The BNP Paribas Masters is under way, and everyone is looking to capitalize on the absence of Rafael Nadal. The French Armada is out in full force, and went undefeated on the first day of play. The French, notoriously flashy players, are looking to use a home-court advantage to boost them through to the later rounds.
Mardy Fish, Tomas Berdych, and Jo-Willy Tsonga will reach the World Tour Finals if they get to the QF's.
Jo-Willy Tsonga is looking for his second Paris Masters title, after winning in 2008, and Novak Djokovic is looking to do the same, he won in 2009.
Gael Monfils is looking to reach his third straight Paris Masters Final. He hasn't won the tournament yet, but unlike at the French Open, the French players storm full force into the Semis.
Richard Gasquet beat a good Kevin Anderson on Tuesday. He is always dangerous, and knocked out Roger Federer in Rome earlier this year. With one of the best one-handed backhands on tour, Reechiee, as he's called, is looking for a sweet win Paris.
Roger Federer has never won the Paris Masters. If he does win, however, he could put a lot of points on the board and maybe even catch Andy Murray for the year-end #3 ranking. Federer recently told reporters that the reason for not playing during the Asian swing after the U.S. Open was that he had some lingering small injuries. He apparently hurt his wrist when he beat Jo-Willy Tsonga at the USO. Nothing major he said, but you can never be too careful with your wrist, just ask Juan Martin del Potro.
Nolé is looking for his second Paris Masters title and looking to add to his record 5 Masters in 2011. He truly has had an amazing season, and that's an understatement.
The only other person I could see winning this is Tomas Berdych, who won in his tournament debut in 2005. If he makes the Quarterfinals (one win away) he'll secure his spot in the ATP Tour World Finals held in London. That honor goes to the top 8 men in the world.
My Predictions:
SEMIS: Tsonga d. Monfils Federer d. Murray
FINAL: Federer d. Tsonga 6-4 5-7 6-3
Tsonga will beat a depleted and injured Djokovic in the QF's. Federer will beat Murray, ending his potential 18 match win streak. Federer will then win the Paris Masters for the first time in his career. Berdych, Tsonga, and Mardy Fish will win spots in the World Tour Finals.
What are you predictions?
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