The back to back ATP 250 tournaments continue in earnest this week in Memphis, Buenos Aires and Marseille.

David 'Nails' Nalbandian

Let’s look at some potential good 1st rounders, upsets and winners:

Buenos Aires:
My main man David ‘Nails’ Nalbandian has a point to prove after some dubious results post-Hewitt 5 setter in Melbourne so expect him to go deep here, but if he does make the final he will have  a tough assignment getting through the hot Almagro and NKOTB Dolopolov. Potentially meeting Wawrinka who is 5-3 against David.

Dark Horse: Igor Andreev

My pick: ‘Manislas’ Wawrinka

Memphis:
No sooner did they contest a final and it’s  rematch between ‘Hot Sauce’ Verdasco and Milos Raonic. I pick Verdasco to gain revenge while Milos deals with the new found expectation.

Other interesting match ups include Del Potro vs. Isner and Roddick vs. Berankis

My pick for the tourney is A-Rod

Marseille:
Loaded with unseeded dangermen like Simon, Cilic and Davydenko it’s hard to pick a winner, but expect a strong French showing as always with players like ‘Marathon Man’ Mahut and Clement likely to trip a few seeds up.

Pick of the 1st round: Davydenko vs. Simon – Could be a final

Dark Horse: Cilic

My pick: Berdych – potentially fresher than Soderling, Tsonga, Ljubicic

Thanks for reading and check back next week for more tips, news and musings!