The plot(s) thicken: what’s at stake on tour this week

Published by Leigh Rogers

ONE TO WATCH: Will Stan Wawrinka find his form in Marseille this week? Picture: Getty Images

Roger Federer created history in his return to No.1 and the ever-popular Petra Kvitova is back inside the world’s top 10. Last week was certainly a big one in the tennis world – and the good news is there’s more interesting storylines set to unfold this week. With two WTA and three ATP events on the calendar, there’s plenty to keep an eye on:

READ MORE: Dream week for Federer, Kvitova

Top 10 stars in Dubai

Defending champion Elina Svitolina is the top seed at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships – where she has fierce competition to retain her title. Seven of the world’s top 10-ranked women are competing in the Premier-level tournament, including the red-hot Kvitova. The 27-year-old Czech is on a 13-match winning streak – but the big question this week is will she have enough energy to keep this sensational run going?

A new No.1, again

Simona Halep withdrew from Dubai with a foot injury, but there’s a silver lining for the Romanian star. Caroline Wozniacki is not defending her 2017 finalist points, which means Halep will return to the world No.1 position on February 26.

Will Sock v Raonic happen?

It was a cruel twist of fate when top seed Jack Sock drew former world No.3 Milos Raonic in the first round at Delray Beach. It set-up a rematch of last year’s final, which never happened after injury prevented from Raonic to taking to the court.

Now this first round-up match-up is not going to happen either, thanks to a draw reshuffle following the late withdrawal of No.5-seeded Australian Nick Kyrgios.

Raonic, who was the highest-ranked unseeded player, becomes the No.9 seed and takes Kyrgios’ place in the draw. Sock now faces Australian qualifer John-Patrick Smith in the first round, with Raonic to play Japan’s Taro Daniel. They could still meet in the semifinals – will it be a case of third-time lucky?

Chung returns

The Delray Beach draw is stacked with exciting players – including newly-crowned New York champion Kevin Anderson, rising star Denis Shapovalov and world No.10 Juan Martin del Potro.

Korean Hyeon Chung returns too, entering his first tournament since his stunning Australian Open run was ended by severe blisters in the semifinals.

FEATURE: Top 10 trends to stay

Can Stan bounce back?

Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka suffered one of his worst losses in over decade last week and is struggling in his return from a knee injury. The world No.13 is the highest-ranked player in Marseille this week. After a first round bye, he is set to face either Serbian Laslo Djere or a qualifier in the second round. Can he regain his form?

Top seed David Goffin is a late withdrawal from the ATP250 event, still struggling with an eye injury he sustained in the Rotterdam semifinals last week.

Thiem thriving

World No.6 Dominic Thiem is back on his beloved red clay and thriving once again. The Austrian has just won the Buenos Aires title and is aiming to continue his impressive form in Rio de Janeiro.

Australian Open finalist Marin Cilic is the top seed in the Brazilian city, landing in a tough quarter that includes Frenchman Gael Monfils and Argentinean Diego Schwartzman.

Back-to-back for Babos?

Home-town hero Timea Babos is aiming to defend her Hungary Ladies Open title. The field in Budapest is wide-open, with Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova the top seed.

QUIZ: How well do you know Roger Federer’s records?

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