The ATP Challenger series continues this week at ATP Manerbio with Stephane Robert leading the way as the top seed.
It's unclear whether Robert is going to compete in the US Open next week but if he is, he's opted for some mighty strange preparation, going after his second challenger title of the year after winning Ostrava in June. Robert made a swift ascent to the main tour a couple of seasons ago but he hasn't been able to keep his place at ATP level although he briefly hit the headlines at the French Open by taking out world number one Tomas Berdych in the opening round.
On his day, Robert could clearly walk through this field but he's been inconsistent and he has a horrible opener against Argentine grinder Nicolas Pastor who's just made the final at the the Cordenons Challenger.
There's also a former top 50 player in the draw. Thiemo De Bakker was top of the junior rankings several years ago and was rated as the next big thing for Dutch tennis. De Bakker made it to 40 in the world but he's been out injured for a couple of months otherwise he would be at the US Open right now.
Like Robert he hasn't got the best of draws, Cordenons champion Daniel Munoz de la Nava could await in round two and he's not the sort of guy you want to play when you're a little rusty, a complete wall from the back of the court.
Martin Klizan has performed well this month, making the San Marino final and the Cordenons semi-finals though Klizan will be kicking himself after a dreadful performance against Pastor at the weekend. He's third seed this week and should have a decent chance to go deep.
Simone Bolelli has the talent to take this title but does he have the will and application any more? Bolelli's singles career has gone down the pan this season but he has the advantage of having little to defend until next spring.
And watch out for the wildcards. Argentina's Federico Del Bonis stunned onlookers by reaching the ATP Stuttgart semis as a qualifier last month and he could take out fifth seed Jaroslav Pospisil in round one.
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