Week in Preview: Excursions return in Abu Dhabi, Antalya and Delray Beach | TENNIS.com
It feels very good to see a draw again. In a minute of chaos, the brackets bring a little feeling of purchase and logic to our spectating lives.
On Tuesday, the to start with 3 attracts of the new year popped up: 1 for the women’s occasion in Abu Dhabi, a single for the men’s occasion in Delray Beach, and yet another for the men’s occasion in Antalya, Turkey. None of these are the tournaments that typically kick off a new time, but they are the tournaments we have. In 2021, we have to love each celebration as it transpires, mainly because who is familiar with what is heading to take place, or not take place future. Here’s a glance ahead at 7 days a person.
Abu Dhabi Women’s Tennis Open (WTA)
Abu Dhabi, UAE
$565,530 WTA 500
Challenging courtroom
Draw is listed here
Getty Visuals
The first thing a close observer of the information previously mentioned will detect is the number 500. Beginning this year, the WTA has adopted the ATP’s tournament-categorization system: Instead of Internationals, Premiers, and Premier Mandatories, the ladies will have 250s, 500s, and 1000s. This may well or may possibly not be a signal of progress and unity amongst the excursions, but it does simplify issues.
As a 500, Abu Dhabi is a mid-stage function, but it has a pretty large-stage draw. Sofia Kenin is the leading seed, adopted by Elina Svitolina, Karolina Pliskova, Aryna Sabalenka, and Garbiñe Muguruza. All are players with Grand Slam winner potential in 2021. I’ll be specially fascinated to see how Kenin and Muguruza, last year’s Australian Open finalists, glimpse as they get prepared to head back again to Melbourne.
Player of Interest: Jen Brady. The American experienced a breakout yr at the comparatively state-of-the-art age of 25 in 2020. Is a spot in the Leading 10 upcoming, or will it be challenging for her to hold her momentum going? She’ll start out from Tamara Zidansek this week.
First-spherical matches to view: Coco Gauff vs. Ulrikke Eikeri Muguruza vs. Kiki Mladenovic Ons Jabeur vs. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova Marketa Vondrousova vs. Su-Wei Hsieh Svitolina vs. Jessica Pegula Fiona Ferro vs. Vera Zvonareva
Delray Beach front Open (ATP)
Delray Seashore, Fla.
$418,195 ATP 250
Hard court
Attract is below
Getty Photographs
If you’re wanting for areas to keep a sporting celebration, Florida is pleasant territory. Irrespective of becoming strike tough by the coronavirus, the point out has couple of constraints on gatherings. Consequently: Delray has been moved up a month and will open up the ATP period.
Even at its ordinary time, Delray is an American-weighty function, and which is more true than ever in 2021. 10 of the tournament’s 28 gamers are from the States. Nevertheless three of the leading four seeds are non-People: Cristian Garin of Chile is the first, Adrian Mannarino of France is third, and Hubert Hurkacz of Poland is fourth.
Player of Interest: Tommy Paul. The hottest bloomer of the existing era of U.S. adult men could be the finest and most entertaining ball-striker of all of them. The 23-yr-aged began to make excellent on his opportunity in 2020. He’ll begin against Korea’s Ji Sung Nam.
Antalya Open (ATP)
Antalya, Turkey
$420,000 ATP 250
Difficult court
Attract is below
Getty Photographs
What can we anticipate from Matteo Berrettini in 2021? The 2019 US Open semifinalist treaded water for significantly of previous calendar year and unsuccessful to access the quarters at a main he may have saved his greatest tennis for Patrick Mouratoglou’s UTS function in June-July. The Italian will try to get back on keep track of in Antalya, wherever he’s the best seed, followed by David Goffin, Fabio Fognini, and Alex de Minaur.