2011 Rogers Cup Preview

With the 2011 Rogers Cup less than a week away, there are a couple of storylines worth following heading into the opening round. The world’s number-2 player, Kim Clijsters, has stated that she is aiming to win the 2011 Rogers Cup after battling through some injuries. Clijsters lost her second-round match against Arantxa Rus in the French Open event at Roland Garros and reinjured herself in the UNICEF Open. Because of it, Clijsters also missed the 2011 Wimbledon tournament earlier this summer. The Belgian star said that, she wants to do well in the Roger Cup and hopes to improve on her performance, heading into Cincinnati at the end of August for the 2011 US Open.

She’ll have to battle a slew of ladies, primarily Serena Williams. Williams showed the world that she was back last weekend when she won the Bank of the West Classic. Serena is trying to climb her way up the rankings, so she will be a heavy contender in the Rogers Cup. The Men’s draw will be very tough as well next week, but will have a sentimental touch to go along with it. Novak Djokovic, who has won two grand slams this year- the Australian Open and Wimbledon, will be honored by the ATP at the Rogers Cup in Montreal. The top seeded player in tennis, Novak Djokovic, will join Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray, who are all scheduled to play in the Rogers cup tournament, so prepare to do your homework on this one before the start of the tournament.

One player to look out for will be Roger Federer, who is currently ranked 3rd in the world. Federer is a two-time champion at the Rogers Cup and is scheduled to play his next ATP tournament at Montreal on the eve of his Birthday. Roger Federer has been out of tennis the last two weeks and before that, Federer was struggling on the court. The Swiss star had been defeated in a quarterfinals encounter against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the 2011 Wimbledon championship and later the he was bounced from the French Open. Federer played a few Davis matches for his country last month, but it seems as though we are witnessing a changing of the guard in the sport of tennis.

Even though Federer has been struggling as of late, it would be wise for the other participants not to count him out. Federer is the ultimate professional and a sure-fire hall of famer that should never be taken lightly, as his talents could strike at any moment. Neither of my pick will be the favorite going into the tournament, but I’m going with veteran, Serena Williams, on the women’s side and proven winner Roger Federer on the men’s side. With all the celebration and honor going to Djokovic next week, it may be enough of a distraction for Federer to pull a fast one over the rest of the field.