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 BMW Open.

FAVOURITE

Alexander Zverev (GER)

A young talent, Zverev is hard to look past when it comes to the clay courts – especially with two previous titles here in 2017 and 2018. The 23-year-old German continues to be a huge threat on any surface and while he is still chasing an impressive past few years, is well within his right for another title here with a skip through the first round thanks to his first seed position. Zverev potentially has last year’s victor in his sights if both their series’ go to plan, meaning he will need to be on game early to ensure he makes the semi-finals.

CONTENDERS

Diego Schwartzman (ARG)

Coming in as the fourth seed, Schwartzman will look to benefit off missing the first round with a qualifier and wildcard taking on some talent among his quarter that could shake up the competition. While Schwartzman should skate through fairly easily, he has a potential match-up lined up with fifth seed Andrey Rublev in the semi-finals and two past winners in his half of the draw, meaning Schwartzman will need to be at the top of his game to snatch a title here.

Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP)

Like Schwartzman and Zverev, Bautista Agut also sits out of the Round of 32, but will have some tough competition in his quarter of the draw with a past Munich winner in his midst ready to ruin the party. That being said, Bautista Agut is arguably in the easier half of the overall draw and should not be challenged too much in the early stages – though that could inevitably work against him in the latter stages. Whatever happens, Bautista Agut is a tough competitor with resilience and intensity to boot, and while this is not his preferred surface he will still be a quality contender.

Cristian Garin (CHI)

Last year’s titleholder may be seventh seed this time around but cannot be underestimated, especially considering his clay court skill, already with a number of titles to his name in 2020. But where Garin may fall is to first seed Zverev, making this a tough contest where Garin will need to be a force to be reckoned with from the first round all the way through. He cannot afford to trip up with a potential repeat victory here 

ROUGHIE

Andy Murray (GBR)

Having returned to the fray in 2020 after retiring, Murray has not skipped a beat on the international stage making a couple of semi finals with his consistent form and impressive ability to adapt on court. While Murray is not the strongest claycourt talent with just the three clay titles to his name, that is still three more than plenty of names making him one of those players to watch for thanks to his constant pressure and the former number one is certainly someone who could go far if his recent form is anything to go by.

DARK HORSE

Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER)

Another talented German, veteran Kohlschreiber may be in the latter stages of his career but the impressive claycourter is another who can never be underestimated. With three Munich titles spanning across a 10 year period, 36-year-old Kohlschreiber has not lost his touch and is still just as threatening on the court as ever but with recent injury concerns does not always have the same impact on court. He also has the tough task of overcoming Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the first round and some talented names in his draw, making for a tough contest.