Players Under the Microscope / Matthew Walton / 28 December 2008 / Leave a comment

The start of the new tennis season is now just a matter of days away and we'll soon be heading off to Brisbane, Doha and Chennai to start another 11 months of professional (and profitable) tennis betting for 2009. Matthew Walton offers his persepective on the men to watch.

To help us all along our way for the new campaign I've been looking down the rankings to highlight a number of players who I expect to feature during the coming year. Some are familiar names whilst others, maybe not familiar now, should come to your attention in the very near future.

Remember, the big prizes may be won by the big players but week in, week out, it's these other guys who play the run-of-the-mill events which keep our betting accounts ticking over on Betfair.

Here we've assembled a list of 10 players to note in the New Year, covering the whole of the men's top 100 at the year end, highlighting one from every ten places in the rankings...

Jo Wilfried Tsonga (Players 1-10)
Ranking: 6 Age: 23 Playing Record: 50-27 Career Wins: 2

Multiple winner on Challenger Tour (eight titles), Tsonga rose from 38 to 6 in the rankings during 2008 by virtue of a runners-up spot in the Australian Open and a Masters Series win in Paris - all achieved despite a persistent knee problem. The Frenchman looks a very capable hard court/carpet player with clay remaining something of an unknown. Can cement a place in the world's top ten with another Masters Cup appearance (to be held in London) a real possibility.

Robin Soderling (11-20)
Ranking: 17 Age: 24 Playing Record: 166-118 Career Wins: 3

On the comeback trail in 2008 (up from 53 to 17) after a wrist injury sidelined him for much of 2007. A third career win came in Lyon in October proving, like Tsonga, he's most at home on pacey courts although he's probably not one to go overboard about when it comes to the dirt. A clean bill of health in 2009 could well see the Swede threaten a place in the top ten as he looks more than capable of winning again this coming year.

Marin Cilic (21-30)
Ranking: 23 Age: 20 Playing Record: 56-50 Career Wins: 1

The tall Croatian has moved from 59 to 23 in the rankings in the last 12 months, landing a maiden win (New Haven) in the process. Another who seems more adept on fast surfaces, Cilic looks set to continue the current success of his country's players such as Karlovic, Ancic, Ljubicic and Ivanisevic. His win-loss statistics are modest, for now, but expect another win and a move into the top 20 for this young, talented player.

Mario Ancic (31-40)
Ranking: 36 Age: 24 Playing Record: 193-125 Career Wins: 3

Once as high as No.7 in the rankings, Ancic has suffered with health problems over the last couple of years (notably a severe bout of mononucleosis in 2007). Winless in 2008 but made one final in Marseille to aid his rise from 85 to 36 in the standings. A player of immense ability but in danger of failing to do that ability justice. Ten career finals to date but only three wins, says it all. Fit and healthy in 2009 this guy can shoot back up the rankings.

Janko Tipsarevic (41-50)
Ranking:49 Age: 24 Playing Record: 79-90 Career Wins: 0

A player who remains an enigma. Has talent but still to make a final, let alone register a first career win (which at 24 is worrying). Has beaten most of the top players, took Federer to 10-8 in the 5th set at the 2008 Australian Open and beat Roddick at Wimbledon. Might fall into the category of very good youngster (won junior Australian Open) who never quite made it on tour but the Serbian surely has one win in him and 2009 might well be the year.

Ernests Gulbis (51-60)
Ranking:53 Age: 20 Playing Record: 38-40 Career Wins: 0

Big year for the Latvian in 2009. Picked by many to be a future top 20 performer, he needs to improve his win-loss record and start making a few runs to the latter stages of events (just three QF's in 2008). As such a rise from 61 to 53 represents a disappointing year for a player with clear ability. A tournament win beckons in 2009 ... lest he drift into the category of 'journeyman' - and he appears better than that.

Kei Nishikori (61-70)
Ranking:63 Age: 19 Playing Record: 19-17 Career Wins: 1

Risen from 289 to 63 in the space of 12 months! And, expect this kid to made further giant strides in 2009. A maiden tour win at Delray Beach in February (as a qualifier) showed his potential and another win during the new season seems assured. We're yet to see him on clay but has won a Challenger Tour event on dirt so possesses the all-round game to develop into a very good player. Expect a year end ranking in the top 30 - at the very least!

Jeremy Chardy (71-80)
Ranking:75 Age: 21 Playing Record: 12-14 Career Wins: 0

Another French player who seems destined to become a solid (if possibly unspectacular) tour performer. Three wins on the Challenger Tour, a couple of main tour QF's in 2008, the guy could very well surprise at a big price in 2009. Seems more adept on slower surfaces and wins over Nalbandian, Tursunov, Ancic and Andreev in the last 12 months demonstrate his ability. Risen from 192 to 75 in 2008 and should muscle into the top 50 next year.

Thomaz Bellucci (81-90)
Ranking:85 Age: 21 Playing Record: 4-16 Career Wins: 0

This Brazilian youngster may not prove to be the next Gustavo Kuerten but he certainly has the potential to become a more than capable tour player. That is, on clay - by far his best surface and scene of all four of his Challenger Tour wins to date. Has improved from 183 to 85 during 2008 and being a 6'2'' left-hander, Bellucci has the attributes to cause many higher ranked players problems. A first tour win in 2009 by no means a fanciful bet.

Marcos Baghdatis (91-100)
Ranking:98 Age: 23 Playing Record: 112-68 Career Wins: 2

Back and wrist injuries have severely curtailed the Cypriots progress in 2008. Formerly ranked at No.8 in the world, Baghdatis has already reached a Grand Slam final (Australia 2007) and fully fit will surge up the standings again in 2009. Very average on clay but a player capable of winning on hard, carpet and grass - it would be a surprise not to see him add to his two career titles this coming year.

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That's our 'ten to follow' for 2009. Players from different levels of the tennis ladder who are all worthy of consideration during the new season.

The action gets underway is just a few days and there will be no better place than Betfair to make it a more than prosperous New Year!