Nicolas Almagro aims to seal a place in the world's top ten by beating Nikolay Davydenko at the Barcelona Open.
With many of the top fifteen currently struggling for form there are plenty of opportunities for players like Almagro to make a big rankings surge over the next month. The big hitting Spaniard will break into the top ten for the first time if he beats Davydenko today.
Almagro was on fire during the Latin American clay court swing earlier this year, winning titles in Brazil and Argentina. He will have been disappointed with the manner of his one-sided defeat to Jurgen Melzer in Monte Carlo but with his section of the draw opening up this week, Almagro has an excellent chance to reach the semi-finals.
Davydenko has never been the same player since a wrist injury halted his rise early in 2010. The Russian started 2011 strongly, making the Doha final but since then he has looked a shadow of his former self. A multiple French Open semi-finalist he will be hoping to play his way into form during the clay-court season and if he can rediscover his rhythm and confidence he's as dangerous as anyone on the surface.
Davydenko has looked fairly impressive so far, particularly in defeating rising Ukrainian star Alexandr Dolgopolov in the opening round and this could be a fascinating clash.
Prediction: Almagro in three
