THE 2011 tennis season, like the career of Milos Raonic, is still in its infancy but that hasn't stopped the Canadian youngster storming up the ATP rankings.
Raonic, 20, captured his first major title on Sunday, the ATP250 SAP Open in San Jose, with a 7-6(6) 7-6(5) victory over world No.9 Fernando Verdasco of Spain, becoming the first player from Canada to win a title in 16 years.
The 6ft 5in Raonic moved up 25 places to 59 in the standings and, having started the year at 156, is without doubt one to watch this season.
There will be little time for him to bathe in champagne following his maiden success, however, as he returns to action on Tuesday in the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships in Memphis.
Given a wildcard in the second ATP500 event of the year Raonic has been drawn to face, incredibly, No.2 seed Verdasco, this time in the first round.
So who will win the battle of the self-confessed Real Madrid fans this time?
The bookies fancy Verdasco won't be stumped twice in a row and although I'm edging towards that view I can't rule out another win for Raonic.
His confidence will be soaring after San Jose and only last year he was tipped by world No.1 Rafael Nadal, after a 6-4 6-4 defeat to the Mallorcan, as a future top-10 player.
Verdasco is 4-7 at William Hill with Raonic 5-4 with the same bookie.
Unwilling as I am to split the duo I'm going to call “let” on this one and advise a punt on a three-set match (5-4, Skybet).
World No.8 Andy Roddick is top seed in Memphis and should have few problems reaching round two.
The American is 1-6 with Boylesports, Betfred, Victor Chandler, Blue Square and 888sport to see off unseeded Lithuanian Richard Berankis (5-1, Stan James).
You won't fill your pockets full of cash on A-Rod's price but you could certainly stick a small sum towards your retirement fund in taking him at 8-15 with Boylesports to win 2-0.
Better still take a look at Roddick to capture his 30th ATP title in Memphis. With the world's top seven sitting this one out, and having bagged the event twice previously, the Nebraskan is excellent value at 10-3 with Paddy Power.
Defending champion and No.5 seed Sam Querrey of the United States tackles Uzbekistan's Dennis Istomin and the world No.18 (8-13, Skybet, Betfred) should also go through.
Istomin is 11-8 with boylesports and Stan James. Like Roddick, there is better value in big-hitting Querrey to win in straight sets (13-8, Betfred).
ATP Memphis outrights (Paddy Power): Roddick 10-3, Verdasco 11-2, del Potro 5-1, Fish, Isner, Hewitt, Raonic 12-1, Querrey, Anderson, Karlovic 20-1.
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