Grand Prix de Tennis de Lyon preview

Grand Prix de Tennis de Lyon
Location: Lyon, France
Dates: October 20-26, 2008
Draw Size: 32
Surface: Indoor Carpet
Prize Money: $713,000 (Euros); men’s singles champion: $115,500
2007 Singles Final: Sebastien Grosjean, FRA, def. Marc Gicquel, FRA, 7-6(5), 6-4
Official Web site: http://www.gptennislyon.com/

Top story lines:
1. Can 2005 champion Andy Roddick find success in Lyon once again?
2. Does defending champion Sebastien Grosjean have any shot of going deep despite playing sparingly all season?
3. Will French star Gilles Simon make noise in Lyon after a recent remarkable Masters Madrid tournament performance?

Justin’s notable first round match-ups:
1. No. 1 Andy Roddick vs. Nicolas Mahut
2. No. 6 Ivo Karlovic vs. Nicolas Lapentti
3. No. 8 Paul-Henri Mathieu vs. Guillermo Canas
4. Robby Ginepri vs. Sebastien Grosjean
5. Juan Carlos Ferrero vs. Sam Querrey

Potential notable late round match:
No. 4 Gilles Simon vs. No. 6 Ivo Karlovic, Quarterfinals

Watch out for…
1. No. 2 Richard Gasquet
2. No. 3 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

Champion prediction:
Justin: No. 3 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Jordan: No. 1 Andy Roddick