Gerry Weber Open: Federer’s quest for silverware

Some of them may even be waiting for those clothes to be returned from the laundry. After all, player kits must have been stained from the sliding madness on the red clay of Europe. The withdrawal of eight-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal has turned the focus back firmly on to his one-time nemesis, Roger Federer. Irrespective of what Federer says in another of those press conferences, be certain of one thing. The Swiss will be mighty concerned if he cannot clinch victory this week at the 21^st edition of the Gerry Weber Open in Halle, Germany.

Federer is yet to win a title in six starts this year and pressure is mounting on the elegant ambassador to rebut his critics with a resounding victory at his traditional preparatory event this week. The defending champion Tommy Haas is no pushover though – the 35-year-old has caught a second wind and is knocking on some tired heels for a spot in the top 10 of the rankings. The top four seeds in this tournament – Federer, Richard Gasquet, Haas and Kei Nishikori – have been handed a bye into the round of 16. Milos Raonic, Ernests Gulbis, Jerzy Janowicz and Mikhail Youzhny could each play a spoiler, if their mood and method permit them that day. And then there is the young Belgian, David Goffin, who is also improving very quickly.

The tournament organisers received a shot in the arm when good friends Federer and Haas agreed to also play doubles this week at the tournament. The 30-plus duo will take on Philipp Petzschner and Jurgen Melzer in the first round. If they get past that hurdle, they will face the second seeded Julian Knowle and HoracioTecau in the quarters.

Here is a look at the draw -

Top Half:

Federer isn’t expected to start till Wednesday, when he will take on the winner of the match between the wild card entrant Cedrik-Marcel Stebe and qualifier Jimmy Wang. The draw makes it very exciting from then onwards.

The Swiss star could come face to face with the dangerous Jerzy Janowicz in the quarter-finals. The fearless Pole could prove to be a stiff test, given his big serving credentials. If he gets past that hurdle, as he should by the dint of his immense experience, Federer may find Tommy Haas blocking his path to the finals.

Haas shocked the tour last year when he took down Federer in the finals of this event and his victory in Halle marked the beginning of a fertile phase in the career of the revitalised 35-year-old star. But in order to challenge Federer in the last four, the 3^rd seeded German will have to come past possibly Ernests Gulbis in the round of 16 and may be Milos Raonic in the quarters. One of them could easily upend the defending champion.

Promising 1^st round matches – Marcos Baghdatisvs Ernests Gulbis; Gael Monfilsvs Milos Raonic

Semifinal Prediction: Roger Federer vs Milos Raonic

Bottom Half:

The enigmatic Richard Gasquet is the second seed and could prove to be a formidable opponent for Kei Nishikori if the seedings hold. The draw seems relatively comfortable for the Frenchman – he may need to deal with former top 10 player, Jurgen Melzer, in the round of 16 before facing one of Mayers – either Florian or Leonardo – in the quarters.

Nishikori, on the other hand, may have to get past Mikhail Youzhny in his first match at the tournament. Lining up in the quarters could be Philipp Kohlschreiber, who has an impressive game on grass. The German could have an edge, considering that he would have also played an extra match to reach the stage.

Semi-final Prediction – Richard Gasquet vs Philipp Kohlschreiber