In the intital matchups it was initially indicated  that Holger Rune would be a candidate to play in this tournament - but that changed and he is not involved anymore.   It is quite possible he may be on the reserve list and qualify to actualy play in the EOYT starting next week.   That could easily happen if Alcarqaz cannot play due to the inrury sustained in Paris or if Rafael Nadal does not turn up to play in Turin after his disastrous performance in Paris or if Taylor Fritz opt out of the tournament.    The only certainties are that Tsitsipas, Ruud, Auger-Aliassime, Rublev and Djokovic will play in Turin. 

So who are the 8 players that will play in the New Generation tournament starting today - not necessarily based on ranking points:-

Jiri Lehecka

Francesco Passaro

Lorenzo Musetti

Chun Hsin Tseng

Matteo Arnaldi

Brandon Nakashima

Jack Draper

Dominic Stricker

Some of the above players played regularly in ATP tournaments    There are only 3 of the above players that could over time become top 10 players - the rest are not really competitive yet.   The 3 potential top 10 players are highlighted,   

The semifinalists from Group A  have been finalized - they are as follows:-

1     Brandon Nakashima

2    Jiri Helecka

No 1 will play no 2 in Group B.   What is clear is that no 1 will be Dominic Stricker and the number 2 will be either Lorenzo Musetti or Jack Draper

1     Dominic Stricker

2     James Draper

The semifinal line-ups are as follows:-

Brandon Nakashima                     vs      James Draper

Jiri Lehecka                                  vs      Dominic Stricker        

Duplication

In 2021 the line-ups were much stronger than in 2022 as was the case with the ranked players like Alcaraz, Rune, Korda and Cerundolo as examples.   The highest ranked player player in 2022 is Musetti at 26 and next Draper at 46.    

The problem is that Draper in the first match lost against Stricker, but then beat Tseng in the second Round and Musetti in the remaining two matches.  He was then the second player in Group B to go through to the semi-finals.

Of the other players involved I think that Stricker was probably the only really outstanding player in this tournament - while Lehecka may develop further.   I cannot see any of the other players really reaching the Top 20 rankings ever.       

In the end the final is to be between Brandon Nakashima and Jiri Lehecka.   Although they are good players they are unlikely to ever be in the Top 10 rankings in world tennis.      

In the end the final is to be between Brandon Nakashima and Jiri Lehecka.   Although they are good players they are unlikely to ever be in the Top 10 rankings in world tennis.      

Brandon Nakashima won the tournament - but I must say again it was a disappointing to see the quality of the players invited to play.   There may be over time some improvement in the player performances in time to come - but I would indeed be surprised if any of the players becomes a Top 20 player.