AS the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Draft Central is extending the fantasy tennis coverage throughout the ATP and WTA seasons to simulate tournaments and see just how they might have gone down. The next ATP tournament to be completed will be the Marrakech Open in Morocco.

FAVOURITE

Alexander Zverev (GER)

One can rarely skate past seventh ranked Zverev on court, especially when the 23-year-old German is top seed on one of his preferred surfaces. However Zverev has not had much luck in recent tournaments and has not yet won a title this year, so he will be a tough ask with that chance at a title in the distance. Zverev is the highest ranked clay courter of the draw, so regardless of his recent form he will be raring to go especially against some of the lower ranked players to give him a good boost after his slow start to the year.

CONTENDERS

Benoit Paire (FRA)

The third seed and reigning champion at Marrakech, 30-year-old Paire will be a tough competitor and with the two clay titles behind him in 2019, he will be hoping to go back-to-back here and add to his tally. With an impressive backhand and the height to match, Paire can cross the court with ease, but has not had the consistency this season so far on hard court, not yet making it through the Round of 16 since mid-January – albeit not on his preferred surface of clay. While Paire is ranked 20th in the world, he was ranked far lower when he won the tournament last year, so the reigning champion should not be too worried about his standings this time around.

Filip Krajinovic (SER)

Talented Serbian Krajinovic may be ranked 29th in the world but coming in as one of the top seeds he will be feeling mildly confident this time around. Something to take into consideration however is his first round loss at Miami, though he was unlucky to take on a top 10 seed in the opening match. That being said, he is another whose preferred surface is clay, meaning he could have been saving his best form for this tournament where he can ultimately come in as one to beat in at fifth seed.

Fabio Fognini (ITA)

Second seed Fognini is among some top talent here at Marrakech but his form this season has all but shot him in the foot coming into the tournament, with losses outweighing his wins this year. That being said, he is still a tough competitor and especially on clay courts can be a hard task, with his only 2019 title coming on clay last April. Fognini will look to put some valuable games out on court against quality opposition early to ensure he goes one better, using every ounce of his eight clay titles.

ROUGHIE

Pablo Andujar (ESP)

While Andujar may be ranked outside the top 50, the 16th seed is in an unprecedented position with three prior Marrakech titles to his name – though two were prior to the tournament’s relocation in 2016. A tough player to beat on clay, the veteran will bring all his experience to the table. While Andujar has not yet made it past the Round of 16 this year, the Spaniard will hope to exceed that coming into clay court tournaments, with his preferred surface and winning form here ultimately giving him a leg up against opposition.

DARK HORSE

Federico Delbonis (ARG)

Sitting at 87th in the world, Delbonis is not necessarily the first name you think of on the circuit but with two clay titles behind him – in 2016 and 2014 respectively – he cannot be ruled out unless he is unfortunate enough to cross paths with a top seed in the early stages. That being said, his 2016 Marrakech title puts him in the spotlight among some impressive names in recent years, with the left hander able to challenge his opponents with his ball placement and spin.