Last week, our picks performed lamentable,with Zverev losing at the off against Cervantes and Joao Sousa getting beat in the 2nd round by lower ranked fellow Portuguese Elias. I felt Zverev needed to get over that first round to make a push but his one week stint on clay was too much to ask. He is back on hard court for the ATP 500 in Washington, which is played two weeks earlier than usual. Due to the Olympic tennis tournament the usual ATP calendar in July and August is shaken up.

ATP 500 Washington

Interesting field, which reads like a competitive draw, much better than the weak dispersed fields for the three ATP 250 events on clay in Europe this week.
Big servers are all present here and they are on the top of the favourite’s list.  Last weekend Davis Cup can give us guidance, who will do well in Washington. High seeds Isner and Sock both lost on Sunday to give Croatia the win in their Davis Cup tie. Besides fatigue this mental blow will affect them in Washington. The other two main favourites, Zverev and Monfils are easily passed, with Monfils back from a viral infection and Zverev expected to struggle to cope with heat and change of surface.

Who to like in this field?
With the heat expected to play a major factor for the day games, it will be wise to side with a player who stated many times, he loves to play in the heat. Marcos Baghdatis, has performed well in the US hard court swing in the past and is playing good tennis, free of injury. His top half of the draw looks very winnable and I happily back Marcos this week.

In the bottom half, Sam Querrey stands out. This goofy looking lad took a week off after Wimbledon, were he famously beat No1e Djokovic. His confidence has to be sky high and having been overlooked for Davis Cup, he will be out to make a mark.

Back Sam Querrey €10 Each way at Paddy Power at 17.00
Back Marcos Baghdatis €10 Each way at Betfred at 34.00