Следующая неделя. Опять же из архива, покрытия могут не совпадать, ибо древнее очень.
Doha is the biggest opening event of the season and has the best field of the three with three of the top 4 present this year. The surface was changed this year and it is now Plexicushion similar to the one in Melbourne. The records here are good for the baseliners and hard hitters like Murray (9-1, current champion), Davydenko (12-6), Ljubicic (16-3), Wawrinka (6-4) and two times champion Federer (12-1) who missed the last two editions.
Marseille Open 13 is played on Greenset surface which is rated as medium fast. It is relatively slow for an indoor surface and skilful baseline players tend to do well here. Federer has 12-2 record, Simon 12-3, Murray is the reigning champion, but after his good run in Rotterdam he will not defend his title. Monfils is yet to win a match in three appearances. It is an ATP 250 event.
Dubai is the top event this week. It is an ATP 500 event and was one of the favourite tournaments of many players. However, arguments about visas for Israeli players spoiled the good image and to add to that the top seeds withdrew with injuries – Nadal, Federer, Roddick, Verdasco and Davydenko decided to skip Dubal. The event still has three top 10 players participating. The surface is Decoturf II considered to be medium in speed. It is almost similar to the grounds in Australia and favours big hitting players. Roddick is the reigning champion so we will have a new one this year. Federer has 25-3 record here (4 titles) and Nadal – 11-3. The weather is expected to be sunny with temperatures around 28-33 C, but some strong winds may appear for the finals.