Fantasy Tennis: Big week looming

There is a big week of tennis ahead. Karolina Pliskova is playing as the world No.1 for the first time at the Rogers Cup in Toronto, while Rafael Nadal has a chance to return to the top spot in Montreal.

With packed draws and some huge match-ups scheduled, we can’t wait! But it has got us a little nervous about our #FantasyTennis line-up.

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Time is running out to make #FantasyTennis changes, so here are some last-minute tips to help you make the right decisions for your team…

Late withdrawals: There are some big names missing from the men’s draw this week, including top 10 stars Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Stan Wawrinka and Marin Cilic. Wimbledon quarterfinalist Gilles Muller has also withdrawn. Djokovic ($15.47m) and Wawrinka ($12.96m) are both out for the rest of the season, so if they are in your team, it is time to trade them.

RELATED: Wawrinka ends season

Tough draws: John Isner has won the past two tournaments he has played (Newport and Atlanta) but has drawn former US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro in the first round in Montreal. Although Isner has a form advantage, Del Potro leads the head-to-head 5-2. This match-up is hard to call, so is it worth the risk putting either on your team this week? I’m relegating Isner to my bench for that reason.

Big-name returns: The women’s draw is stacked, with all of the world’s top 10 in action. Venus Williams ($12.38m) has drawn qualifier Irina-Camelia Begu ($6.12m) in the first round – but is she a good pick this week? With a 0-5 career win-loss record in Toronto, history says no.

QUIZ: Do you know your tennis history?

Blast from the past: Speaking of history, Rafael Nadal ($21.67m) and Roger Federer ($20.08m) are the top two seeds at the Rogers Cup for the first time since 2009. The in-form veterans are the most expensive players to buy in, but are proven point scorers. If you have one of them, they are a good pick for captain.

Lessons from last week: Is performance in Game Week 24 a good indicator of what could happen? If so, that is bad news for Simona Halep ($18.64m). The world No.2 retired with heat illness in Washington, while potential second round opponent Madison Keys ($6m) won Stanford in an impressive return to form to claim her first hard court title. That is a brutal draw for both players. (Insider tip: Keys’ price will rise next week after winning Stanford, so could be a good long-term investment for your team’s value.)

Hometown heroes: Genie Bouchard ($3.4m) and Vasek Pospisil ($4.01m) are worth buying this week. Both can be unpredictable, but are affordable options and will have plenty of home support this week. But be warned, Bouchard has a 2-8 record at the tournament and Pospisil, a semifinalist in 2013, could face Federer in the second round.

FANTASY TENNIS: Are you ready for the US hard court swing?