ISNER, FERRER, AND FOGNINI HEADLINE POST-WIMBLEDON WEEK

Written by: Staff on 6th July 2014

ISNER, FERRER, AND FOGNINI HEADLINE POST-WIMBLEDON WEEK

epa04280138 Fabio Fognini of Italy returns to Tim Puetz of Germany during their second round match of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 25 June 2014. EPA/TATYANA ZENKOVICH |

By Ricky Dimon

One day after Wimbledon, the ATP World Tour will not only return to 250-point action but it will also make its way back to clay. Joining Bastad and Stuttgart–both of which are being played on the red stuff–on the schedule is the season’s final grass-court event in Newport, Rhode Island. Among those in action this week are top seeds John Isner, David Ferrer, and Fabio Fognini.

Isner is a two-time champion of the U.S. Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, having triumphed in both 2011 and 2012. The 6’10” American is part of a field that also boasts fellow Wimbledon marathon man and Newport past champion (2013) Nicolas Mahut. Mahut prevailed in both singles and doubles last year at this event despite having to play four matches in two days due to rain delays.

Wimbledon doubles winner Jack Sock (with partner Vasek Pospisil) is a potential quarterfinal opponent for Isner. The top seed could face Lleyton Hewitt in the semis. Hewitt will kick off his campaign against Ryan Harrison in a section of the draw that also features rising American Steve Johnson. On the other side of the bracket, Mahut could meet Donald Young in the quarterfinals and either Sergiy Stakhovsky or No. 2 seed Ivo Karlovic in the semis.

The SkiStar Swedish Open in Bastad is also welcoming back its two most recent champions. Ferrer, the 2012 winner, is on course to battle defending champion Carlos Berlocq as early as the quarterfinals. The Spaniard is a two-time champion (2007, 2012), as is countryman and No. 2 seed Tommy Robredo (2006, 2008).

Ferrer’s draw does not appear to be particularly kind, as Berlocq looms in his quarter and possible semifinal opponents include Joao Sousa and Jerzy Janowicz. Robredo, also the recipient of a first-round bye, may have a path that includes Paul-Henri Mathieu, Jeremy Chardy, and Fernando Verdasco prior to the title match. Verdasco’s opener is likely to come against Wimbledon third-round finisher Jiri Vesely.

In Stuttgart, Fognini is both the top seed and the defending champion of the Mercedes Cup. The Italian may not be able to succeed with his typical lackluster approach to matches if wants to go back-to-back because he is in a more difficult half of the draw that is also home to No. 3 seed Roberto Bautista Agut and seventh-seeded Santiago Giraldo.

A slumping Mikhail Youzhny looks vulnerable at the bottom of the bracket as the No. 2 seed. He may have to begin his quest against Wimbledon fourth-round performer Leonardo Mayer. Feliciano Lopez, Philipp Kohlschreiber, and Lukas Rosol all find themselves in a tough third section of the draw from which the eventual semifinalist could run into either Youzhny, Mayer, or Federico Delbonis.

An intriguing clay-court battle in the first round of Stuttgart pits Delbonis against Juan Monaco.

Topics: Atp World Tour, David Ferrer, Donald Young, Fabio Fognini, Fernando Verdasco, Hall Of Fame Tennis Championships, jack sock, John Isner, Mercedes Cup, Newport, Ricky Dimon, SkiStar Open, Tennis, Tennis News, Vasek Pospisil, Wimbledon

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10sBalls_com says:

July 6, 2014 at 8:02 pm

ISNER, FERRER, AND FOGNINI HEADLINE POST-WIMBLEDON WEEK – http://t.co/ui5ZZKE8ee @JohnIsner @DavidFerrer87 @fabiofogna #Wimby14 #tennis #ATP
RD_Tennistalk says:

July 6, 2014 at 8:07 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: ISNER, FERRER, AND FOGNINI HEADLINE POST-WIMBLEDON WEEK – http://t.co/ui5ZZKE8ee @JohnIsner @DavidFerrer87 @fabiofogna #W…