By Kiran

Bonjour!

 

Yes, we have arrived in Paris yet again.... but this time there is no clay in sight and there is a roof over the stadium! It is indeed the Paris Tennis Masters Series- that prestgious tournament right before the grand culmination of the ATP Tour.

 

 

After the sad withdrawals of Ferrero, Coria and Federer, Andy is left as the top seed of this event.

 

 

Also in his half are Fernando Gonzalez, Andre Agassi {in form!}, last year's winner Tim Henman and Argentina's No2 David Nalbandian.

 

 

Looking at this draw, I find it hard to believe that Andy would have any problem at all in getting to the final, he hasnt played for over a month and his knee seems to have cleared up. His only threat might be the big hitting guy from Chile : Fernando Gonzalez, who Andy lost to at the Olympics earlier this year.

 

 

The others like Nalbandian, Henman and Agassi have been playing alot recently and this might be an advantage to Andy that he hasnt played since Bangkok at the end of September.

 

 

In the first round Andy will play Sargis Sargisan or the 2002 Aus Open Champ Thomas Johansson. Looking at his head-to-head record against Sargsian you could say it is completly irrelevant however he did play Johansson recently in Thailand winning in straight sets.

Andy is more than likely to then play Gonzalez, and then should he beat him, he is on a collosion course with David Nalbandian in the quarters. In the semi's hopefully he will play Novak providing there are upsets- that would be the easiest route for him! As the other options are Joachim Johansson or Andre Agassi- both of whom have beaten Andy this year!

This is only a rough outline of what should have- but hopefully there will be some upsets in Andys

favour!

 

 

Looking on the opposite side of the draw the most noticable name is Hewitt, as the second seed. He hasnt played for a while since losing in Japan and then annoucing his shock split with fellow pro Kim Clijsters, what effect will this have on him? Others are the Madrid Masters Winner Marat Safin, the marathon man Guillermo Canas and the Olympic Champ Nicolas Massu. The veteran Spaniard Carlos Moya is also there.

 

 

Predictions- im a curse to Andy I dont think i'll do one!

 

 

Andy should win this tourney and get him ready for Houston,

 

 

So thats it from me for the penultimate ATP tourney!

 

 

 Allez Andy, Bonne Chance!