Eurosport - Sat, 24 May 16:31:00 2008
There can be only one French Open champion and there is only one Rafael Nadal. But who else should be on your fantasy team at the season's second Grand Slam?
Each week "In or Out" offers tips on players who could be worth picking, hopefully giving you an edge over your rivals.
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A Group
In: Rafael Nadal
Undefeated on Paris' clay since making his debut as an untested 18-year-old in 2005, there is no sensible reason to bet against the Spaniard. With three French Open titles to his name and still only 21, Nadal's legacy is already secure. This year he will add to the history books by matching Bjorn Borg's four straight in Paris. Despite a more successful season than Roger Federer, Nadal is only the second-most popular player in the game behind the world number one. He should be first and will be first at Roland Garros.
Out: Novak Djokovic
In a choice between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal for who gets the chop, we have to go with the young Australian Open champion if only for the fact that he is scheduled to face Rafa sooner (semi-finals rather than final). There are other reasons to opt to drop the Serbian, most obviously the two former champions in his quarter of the draw (Moya and Guga).
B Group
In: Nicolas Almagro
The Spaniard belies his 19th seeding with a position of ninth in the ATP Race this season. And yet he is still only the seventh most popular player in the game, falling prey to big-name disappointments Juan Carlos Ferrero, Andy Murray, Tomas Berdych and even the long absent Lleyton Hewitt. Almagro has put together a solid string of results this season, all of which have come on clay, and the first three rounds of his draw include Boris Pashanski, Olivier Rochus and one Andy Murray. Hardly a frightening group on this surface.
Out: Lleyton Hewitt
The former world number one has been out of action since Australia's Davis Cup tie at the beginning of April, missing the whole of the claycourt season in the process. He was a doubt to even play at this year's tournament, but is still the fifth-most popular player in Fantasy Tennis. Despite the love Hewitt engenders for his past achievements and fiery antics, a tricky draw, no preparation, and the remnants of a hip injury mean the Aussie really ought not to be on your Fantasy team.
C Group
The former junior Roland Garros champion has been spectacular on clay this season reaching the semi-finals in Barcelona and making his first-career Masters final in Rome. Despite a tricky early draw that includes a first-round match against Philipp Kohlschreiber and potential clashes with Marin Cililc, Igor Andreev, and Fernando Gonzalez, we expect the Swiss to go as far as the quarter-finals where he should give his more highly renowned compatriot an interesting test.
Out: Jo Wilfried-Tsonga
Despite the boisterous support Tsonga's incredible passion is sure to induce from the home fans, JW just is not built for clay. His only saving grace is a very comfortable early draw in the first two rounds, but it's still impossible to envision the athletic Frenchman emulating his shocking run to the Australian Open final in Paris.
D Group
In: Marc Gicquel
Despite some mediocre results this clay season, with the exception of quarter-final appearances at lower tier events in Estoril and Casablanca, we are going to stick with the veteran Frenchman. Gicquel's first-round match against Serbia's Viktor Troicki should be comfortable enough, and that could open the door for a minor upset against either Tommy Robredo or Guillermo Coria in round two.
Out: Sam Querrey
After his surprise quarter-finals run in Monte Carlo the 20-year-old American would normally be an awfully tempting pick in this group. But with two-time runner-up and perennial GOAT nominee Roger Federer in the first round, big Sam doesn't have much hope.
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