Playing on clay in the month of May

Clay Court

Clay CourtWho do YOU think will record the best singles results in the clay court season – Melanie Oudin, Sam Querrey or John Isner? 

The American trio has achieved career best rankings on the Pro Tours in 2010 and they are all rising into the upper echelons of the game. All 3 players continue to achieve a number of career firsts and personal best results with the European clay court season being no exception. With their combined past experience in these events and the number of points they earned last year, all three players have everything to gain and nothing to lose.

The 18-year-old Oudin and the 22-year-old Querrey are both currently ranked at their career highs of No.31 and No.24 respectively. The 25-year-old Isner is currently ranked No.21 and achieved his career high of No.20 on March 1, 2010. 

The 6’9” Isner leads the group in terms of who has achieved the best ranking on the Pro Tour. The 5’6” Oudin achieved the best career ranking on the ITF Junior Tour by reaching World No.2. The 6’6” Querrey peaked at No.10 and Isner’s best was No.93 on the ITF Junior Tour.

The clay court season is a great opportunity for these Americans to boost their rankings enough to gain a Top 16 seeding for Wimbledon and the US Open. Attaining a Top 16 seeding at those two Grand Slam tournaments would provide them with the luxury of not having to play against a Top 10 player until they are playing for a spot in the quarterfinals.

Rome, Madrid and the French Open are the 3 major tournaments in the clay court season. For Oudin and Isner this year is the first time they will play Rome & Madrid. Querrey on the other hand, played both of these events for the first time last year and lost in the 1st round in Rome and in the 2nd round in Madrid. 

All three players have played the French Open. Querrey has lost in the 1st round in each of the three times he has played, 2007-2009. Isner lost in the 1st round in the only time he has played at the French Open in 2008. Oudin played for the 1st time last year and lost in the 1st round of the qualifying event. 

For Oudin a 1st round win in Madrid would earn her 80 WTA ranking points whereas Isner and Querrey would earn 45 ATP ranking points for a 1st round win in Madrid. For Oudin a 1st round at the French Open would earn her 100 WTA ranking points whereas the men would earn 45 ATP ranking points.

Return here to follow how they fare on the European clay. Thus far Isner is in the lead…

ROME, Italy: Internazionali BNL d’Italia

  1. ISNER: 45 ATP ranking points. He defeated Horacio Zeballos in the 1st round 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 7-5 before losing in the 2nd round to Tomaz Bellucci 6-7 (7-9), 5-7
  2. QUERREY: 10 ATP ranking points. He lost in the 1st round to Julien Benneteau 6-7 (6-8), 6-3, 6-7 (2-7)
  3. OUDIN: 1 WTA ranking point. She lost in the 1st round to Bethanie Mattek-Sands 1-6 3-6 

MADRID, Spain: Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open

Results will be posted here. The 1st round matches in Madrid commence on Saturday May 8 for the women and on Sunday May 9 for the men.

FRENCH OPEN, Paris: Roland Garros

Results will be posted here. The 1st round matches begin on Sunday May 23.

 

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