Marseille Open, Marseille, France, ATP 250

[Billie]

DATE: 15 Feb 2016 - 21 Feb 2016
SURFACE: HARD
PRIZE MONEY: €596,790
FIELD SIZE: 32
DEFENDING CHAMPION: Gilles Simon

Seeds:

1 Stan Wawrinka
2 Tomas Berdych
3 Richard Gasquet
4 Marin Cilic
5 Gilles Simon
6 David Goffin
7 Gael Monfils
8 Benoit Paire

About Marseille:

Marseille is a rich, pulsing port city bubbling over with history, cutting-edge creative spaces and hip multicultural urbanites. Since Greek settlers came ashore around 600 BC, waves of immigrants have made Marseille (now France's second-largest city) their home.

The city is looking fabulous after its tenure as the European Capital of Culture in 2013. Its maritime heritage thrives at the vibrant Vieux Port (Old Port), or you can explore the ancient Le Panier neighbourhood, set on a hill above the water; the République quarter, with its swanky boutiques and Haussmannian buildings; and the stunning contemporary architecture of the Joliette area around Marseille’s famous striped Cathédrale de la Major. Along the coast, seaside roads and cycling tracks veer around sun-scorched coves and sandy beaches.

2.Dissonant Nation by FredB Art 30.04.2015 by Frederic Bonnaud, on Flickr

 

[britbox]

Looks like a beautiful city.

 

[Billie]

You are absolutely right, BB. It is relatively close to Monte Carlo tournament so that sounds like a nice vacation package.

Wawrinka and Berdych are rested and back in action. They surely must be favorites here.

 

[Moxie]

A thing to note about Marseille is that it is a very working-class city and has a a big heritage with it's North African roots. Zinadine Zidaine is from Marseilles, and it has a strong Algerian connection. It is worlds away from Monte Carlo, tbh. It has long been a city of simple fishmongers. It's gotten a lot cooler in the last couple of decades, but, like Naples, it's a city that comes from simple roots.

 

[The Lad]

Well if there is anything to see from the first day is if Paire season collapse is going to continue. Bollelli will fire some shots at him and if Paire is in a shitty frame of mind he could drop his bundle. Ever since he said of Noah Rubin "I played against a not-good player" he's looked even worse. The end of Last season was pretty good for Benoit but is he about to drop it?

 

[britbox]

Well if there is anything to see from the first day is if Paire season collapse is going to continue. Bollelli will fire some shots at him and if Paire is in a shitty frame of mind he could drop his bundle. Ever since he said of Noah Rubin "I played against a not-good player" he's looked even worse. The end of Last season was pretty good for Benoit but is he about to drop it?

Bollelli has had a pretty poor start to the season too, so I'm going to take Paire on this one, even with his season to date.

 

[britbox]

 

[isabelle]

A thing to note about Marseille is that it is a very working-class city and has a a big heritage with it's North African roots. Zinadine Zidaine is from Marseilles, and it has a strong Algerian connection. It is worlds away from Monte Carlo, tbh. It has long been a city of simple fishmongers. It's gotten a lot cooler in the last couple of decades, but, like Naples, it's a city that comes from simple roots.

You're well informed and you're absolutely true. A pity that crime and drug traffic invaded some districts

 

[herios]

You're well informed and you're absolutely true. A pity that crime and drug traffic invaded some districts

I heard all those things too. Large harbour cities tend to be attraction for those who are into these activities.

 

[Billie]

Mox, I visited half of Italy in 2 weeks, anything is possible.

On a side note, today marks my 20 years living in Canada. An old Canadian, eh?B-)

 

[herios]

This 250 event has a much more stronger field than Rotterdam had last week, with 3 top 10 players.

 

[Moxie]

Berdych could get the young and trending Zverev in the second round. That could be interesting. And Chung is in the mix. Stan, Cilic and Monfils all in the same half, and none of them is completely reliable. Could be another interesting one.

 

[Billie]

Chung is playing Goffin in the first round, young guy can't get a break, it seems.

 

[Moxie]

He didn't get Wawrinka. The nature of being young and lower-ranked is that you have tough draws, even in 250s. I think he might take Goffin.

 

[Billie]

He didn't get Wawrinka. The nature of being young and lower-ranked is that you have tough draws, even in 250s. I think he might take Goffin.

He should have gone to Memphis.

One of these days he breaks through, hopefully.

 

[Billie]

Goffin beat Chung 6:3 6:1
Paire beat Bolelli 6:4 7:5
Haase beat Sousa 6:4 6:0 (ouch).

 

[Denis]

A thing to note about Marseille is that it is a very working-class city and has a a big heritage with it's North African roots. Zinadine Zidaine is from Marseilles, and it has a strong Algerian connection. It is worlds away from Monte Carlo, tbh. It has long been a city of simple fishmongers. It's gotten a lot cooler in the last couple of decades, but, like Naples, it's a city that comes from simple roots.

Yeah this is not the ideal tourist destination. Better to stay north and east of it. Nevertheless nice pictures and it's the city where the count of Monte cristo came from, so that's a perk.

 

[Denis]

Goffin beat Chung 6:3 6:1
Paire beat Bolelli 6:4 7:5
Haase beat Sousa 6:4 6:0 (ouch).

Too bad for Chung. Not a good scoreline either, but it these are the players you need to beat in order to break through.

 

[Moxie]

Yeah this is not the ideal tourist destination. Better to stay north and east of it. Nevertheless nice pictures and it's the city where the count of Monte cristo came from, so that's a perk.

Oh, no, I disagree with that. It's a city rich in texture and culture. It's just not what you think of as the French Riviera: posh, exclusive. But it's cool and lively. I definitely want to go back.

 

[herios]

Too bad for Chung. Not a good scoreline either, but it these are the players you need to beat in order to break through.

Chung is very young (19) and Goffin is top 20 player. I am not surprised at all he lost. I think there are too high expectations in regards to these teenagers. Firstly, he has to consolidate his top 100 ranking by beating those guys ranked 50-100.