Preview: Memphis ATP 250 Event

The ATP now moves onto its american hard court swing leading up to ATP 1000 events Indian Wells and Miami where the best players in the world will be competing for the title.

But first its Memphis, last years winner Kei Nishikori is again playing and he will be the man the beat. Aiming to go back to back after last year defeating Feliciano Lopez in the final 6-2, 6-3. Hardcourts are Nishikori's favourite surface and with the tournament being indoors it suits his aggressive baseline game. Also in the draw is runner-up Lopez who will be looking for another strong result this year, along with Lleyton Hewitt and Yen Hsun-Lu who make out the top four seeds. The other notable names in the draw are made up of young Americans; Ryan Harrison, Tim Smyzcek, Denis Kudla and Jack Sock.

But the biggest drawcard in the tournament is Wildcard entrant Nick Kyrgios. The young Aussie teen has seen his ranking skyrocket in 2013 over 700 spots and he is a real threat in this tournament with his big serve and forehand. Another factor in Kyrgios' favour, is that the tournament is best of three sets which won't expose his fitness too much and he shouldn't get too tired. Like we have recently seen at the Australian Open where he was cramping during his five set battle with Benoit Paire, everyone in the draw will be hoping they don't play him. The other dark horse will be Ryan Harrison who has been struggling of late with some form and confidence. He performs well in his home country and a bit of USA support may be what he needs. If he can get a good three set win under his belt and regain a bit of confidence he could challenge for the title.


Twitter: @GranthamDaniel

Top 10 Tennis Rankings in 2016

Rankings

1. Andy Murray                                            

2. Grigor Dimitrov

3. Milos Raonic

4. Juan Martin Del Potro

5. Bernard Tomic

6. Kei Nishikori

7. Novak Djokovic

8. Stanislas Wawrinka

9. Jerzy Janowicz

10. Christian Harrison

It was a mixture of who is still going to be around from the current top 10 players and who were the young guns coming through to break up the current big four. Andy Murray being the youngest of the top 3 players, I see him eventually overtaking Novak Djokovic and Nadal altogether being World No. 1. Closely followed by Grigor Dimitrov whose nickname is "Baby Fed" because he plays so similarly to him, after his recent breakthrough at the Australian Open making the quarter-finals. Next is Milos Raonic who is yet to make a big dent in grand slams but has a big serve and big forehand which in years to come could be the best in the world. Juan Martin Del Potro has to be in the top four just because of his power game and the fact that he has already won the US Open two years ago. Bernard Tomic comes in at No. 5 with his elusive talent and extreme playmaking, but needs to keep a tab on his personal life with a controlling father who is in the media spotlight for the wrong reasons and Bernie himself being in the papers for his bad boy attitude. Kei Nishikori is the baseliner out of the bunch with a mediocre serve but his movement along with his rally speed and depth will be up there with the best in the world by 2016. Novak will still be at the top of tennis I just don't think he will be at number 1. With people starting to workout his game and matching his fitness you will see him slowly move out of the top 5. Along with Stanislas Wawrinka who won't last very long at No 3. but my belief is that he will stay a very good player after what he just pulled off winning his first grand slam title beating Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open. At No. 9 is Jerzy Janowicz the fiery pole has a huge serve and forehand to match we are yet to see the best of him. At No.10 is Christian Harrison younger brother of Ryan Harrison is 19 years old with a career high ranking of 350. At 14 years old he was the best player for his age in the world, but he has been hampered by a number of unlucky injuries. When he has been on the court he has had great results losing in a tight match to John Isner 6-7, 6-4, 7-5 at the Atlanta Open, he has also made the Doubles Quarter-Finals at the US Open partnering up with his brother.  

Floaters: 

Ryan Harrison: After breaking onto the scene at 15 years old winning an ATP match he was one of the youngest players of all-time to win a main draw match, but he is still trying to find his feet after a career high ranking of 43 he now sits outside the top 100 but my belief is that he is bound for big things with his fighting ability and all round maturity of a great player.

Nick Kyrgios: Currently ranked 182 in the world at 18 years old he has been touted a future top 10 player with Tsonga going as far to say he is the future of the ATP tour. He has qualified for the US Open and has won a couple of grand slam matches in his young career. 

Thanasi Kokkinakis: At just 17 years old he is the youngest of the top 10 and he has already won his first grand slam match and played Davis Cup against France he is definitely one to look out for in the future.

Vasek Pospisil: The Canadian who burst onto the scene by qualifying and making the semi-finals at an ATP 1000 event in Montreal, has massive potential with a great serve and volley game but also gets a lot of success rallying from the baseline.

Twitter: @GranthamDaniel

2k- Australia's Future Tennis Stars?

Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios have been touted as the best teenagers prospects in the last 10 years and have potential to be top 10 players within 2-4 years.
They have both experienced Davis Cup Last week debuting against France and fought valiantly but came up short after gaining great experience of what it takes to beat the best players in the world. As well as learning from Lleyton Hewitt on practice, preparation and what it takes to fight and hang around in matches even when the odds are stacked against you.

Kokkinakis at 17 is the best player in the world for his age and is ranked 402 in the world. He recently qualified for Brisbane International a lead-up event for the Australian Open where he lost in the first round to Lleyton Hewitt 5-7 3-6. He is known for his booming serve regularly clocking 200km/h and his forehand which his game is based around. He also has a grand slam win to his credit after beating Igor Sijsling in four sets.
Kyrgios at 18 came into the spotlight last year after winning the Australian Open Juniors. He then went on to improve his professional ranking from 840 to 182 by the end of the year after winning a round at the French Open and also qualifying at the US Open losing to David Ferrer in the first round. He has a huge power game and regularly wins matches after hitting over 50 winners he also has a big serve which complements how he likes to play.
The improvements they both need to make are tactical; when to go for the big shot and when to rally and change up the tempo and rhythm of the match, but it will come in time and when it does look out.
They have both struggled with injuries over their short careers and the key for their future is if they are able to stay fit and play a full season of matches which will be invaluable for the youngsters  as they are trying to make their way onto the tour. If they can get physically fitter and stronger to match it with the top players the sky is the limit.
By 2016 these two will be household names in mens tennis and maybe even rivals.....


Twitter: @GranthamDaniel

Photo Credit: Sportal.com.au