Rome, Stuttgart, and Fes previews.

The Internazionali BNL D'Italia is a ATP Masters Series event in Rome, Italy.  Last year Rafael Nadal won this event, and the winner this year will take home a check worth 434,000 Euros.

Top 8 Seeded Players:

1. Roger Federer (#1 world ranking)

2. Novak Djokovic (#2)

3. Rafael Nadal (#3)

4. Andy Murray (#5)

5. Robin Soderling (#8)

6. Fernando Verdsaco (#9)

7. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (#10)

8. Marin Cilic (#11)

Other notables in the field:

Mikhail Youzhny, Tomas Berdych, Ivan Ljubicic, Juan Carlos Ferrero, David Ferrer, John Isner, Sam Querrey, Juan Monaco, Marcos Baghdatis, Ernests Gulbis, and many of the other top players.

Looking at the draw, Roger Federer and Rafael are on the same side and would possibly meet in the semifinals.  Look for Roger to be taken out early if Rafa is back playing like he has been the last month.  Federer will avoid a clay matchup with Nadal if possible.  Its just how he rolls.  He either doesn't want to show his hand before the French Open, or he doesn't want to risk getting smashed and ruining his confidence.  Look for Nadal to beat Djokovic in the final.

In Stuttgart, Germany the Porsche Grand Prix, a WTA Premier event is being played.  Last years winner Svetlana Kuznetsova is back to defend her title and attempt to win this years prize of $107,000 and a new porsche.

Top 4 seeded players:

1. Caroline Wozniacki (#2 world ranked)

2. Dinara Safina (#3)

3. Svetlana Kuznetsova (#5)

4. Jelena Jankovic (#4)

other notables in the field:  Agnieszka Radwanska, Victoria Azarenka, Samantha Stosur, Yanina Wickmayer, Flavia Pennetta, Justine Henin, Ana Ivanovic, Marion Bartoli, and Shahar Peer.

Caroline Wozniacki is back after twisting her ankle a couple weeks ago.  Also Dinara Safina is returning for the first time since the Australian Open after struggling with an injured back.  Henin is also playing with a broken finger on her left hand.  The finger shouldn't hurt Henin's chances of winning this tournament, because its her off hand and not her racquet hand.  The top half of the draw is stacked with Kuznetsova, Azarenka, Stosur, and Wozniacki lurking.  The bottom half is a bit easier with a rusty Safina, Radwanska, Jankovic, Henin and Wickmayer.   I like a Stosur-Henin final with Henin winning.

In Fes, Morocco is the Grand Prix De SAR La Princesse Lalla Meryem, a WTA tournament being played on red clay.  Most of the top players are at the Premier event in Stuttgart, this is a smaller tournament for some of the lower ranked players.

Top 4 seeded players:

1. Carla Suarez Navarro (#40 world ranking)

2. Patty Schnyder (#47)

3. Anabel Medina Garrigues (#48)

4. Melinda Czink (#51)

Other notables in the field:

Angelique Kerber, Petra Martic, Iveta Benesova, Alize Cornet, and the breast reduced Simona Halep.

Midland jobbers in the field: 

Anne Keothavong, Katie O'Brien, and Lucie Hradecka.

This tournament is wide open.  All these players are equally good, or equally inept.  Its all in how you perceive it.  Both would probably be acceptable.  Anabel Medina Garrigues won this event last year and will definetly be a factor this year.  If I had to put money on this one I'd place it on Carla Suarez Navarro.  Navarro has been playing well of late, and excels on clay.  Its hard to overlook that.