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Spizzirri caused an upset by beating highly rated João Fonseca. It wasn't a huge surprise, as Spizzirri has been quietly gaining a reputation as a tough competitor to beat. Wu doesn't look 100% right now, and if his body is short of peak fitness, Spizzirri has the game to pick him off.

Cilic rolled back the tears with a dominant win over Altmaier, including two bagels. That's a step up from what he has been doing, so he clearly intends to bring his A game here. Shapovalov has always been talented but is as erratic as they come. I don't see this being straightforward.

England are a good T20 side, but they cannot seem to adjust to the one-day format. I think they could have problems with Sri Lanka, who are adept at this format and have claimed scalps of some of the top sides on their own wickets. I expect them to bedazzle England with spin. The wickets should fall regularly.

The pair met here last year, with Ruud winning in 5 sets. The pair then met a month later in Dallas, which also went the distance, with Ruud winning the final-set tiebreak. There doesn't seem to be an awful lot between them on this surface, so I like the over.

The wind is scheduled to pick up later, so the early starters might have the best of the weather. Brandon Stone tees off at 7:15, so should have the best of the weather. He has a mixed bag of results here but did finish a fine 2nd here in 2021. Although unlikely to be contending for the win come Sunday, he has shown in the past that he can be a fast starter.

Rayo Vallecano have regressed from last season where they qualified for the Conference League. Although they are solid defensively at home, they struggle to score. They've scored just 7 and conceded 6, with an average of just 1.4 goals per game. Osasuna have scored just 3 goals in their 10 away games, so this doesn't look like a goal fest.

Els finished last season solidly with two third places and three second places in his last 10 events. He won this event last year and looks sure to be competing for the win.

Steve Alker rarely has a bad event. When last seen at the back of the year, he won the Simmons Tour Championship and finished runner-up next time at the Charles Schwab Cup. If starting the year in a similar vein, he will surely be contending.

Although he does occasionally throw in a shocker, Cameron John looks the most likely winner. He comes into this having won the Vic Open last week and the event in Queensland last November. These types of events can be tricky to predict, but at least John is a proven winner.

Daniel Hillier finished last season off well, coming home 5th, 16th, 5th, and 6th. He carried on that form this year with a 2nd at last week's Dubai Invitational. It's not the deepest of fields, so I expect him to once again be figuring.

Puig came a solid T3 last week on a course that didn't really play to his strengths. Although he has never played this tournament before, this course should be right up his street. It's not the most challenging of courses, with wind probably the defence. Long drivers like Puig should thrive here. Combined with his solid putting and good current form, he should be challenging for the places at least.

Reed is the most likely winner, but at such short odds he doesn't really appeal. Dustin Johnstone has never played here, and the course doesn't really play to his strengths. Ethan Fang needs more experience on the main tour before he can be considered. The rest aren't really showing anything. Gumberg won on the DP Tour in 2024 and finished T7 in October at the Genesis Championship in South Korea. If bringing that level, he has a better chance than his odds suggest.

Although players like Fleetwood, Hatton, and Lowry have to be respected, Rory is clearly the one to beat. He has played here many times in the last 10 years and finished 1, 1, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6th. That's a hugely impressive record. He warmed up last week with a solid T3.

Ryan Van Velzen has struggled on the DP Tour but goes well on the Sunshine Tour. He was the Order of Merit winner in the 2023??"24 season. When playing on the tour in September he came a solid 2nd at the Stella Artois Championship South Africa. This is a weaker field than he has been playing against, so I'm expecting an upturn in his performance.

Sepp Straka won here last year by two shots with a -25. This course obviously plays to his strengths, and with him finishing a fine third when last seen at The Hero Challenge, he looks poised to go well again.

There are a few Europeans that are in with a chance, but MacIntyre looks the most likely. His game looks in good nick after a fine 4th last week at the Sony Open. He finished on Sunday with a stunning 63, and if playing to that standard will be tough to beat.

Not a particularly strong GB and Ireland field, so if MacIntyre is anywhere near his best, he looks the most likely. He came a good 4th last week at the Sony Open, culminating with a splendid 63 on Sunday. If recapturing form anywhere near that standard, he looks the most likely top GB and Ireland player.

Ryan Gerard finished last season well with a 2nd at the Mauritius Open. He followed that up last week with another 2nd place at the Sony Open. His game is clearly in good shape, so I think he'll go well again.

Si Woo Kim is always at his best on shorter courses where accurate approach play and strong putting are key. His win here in 2021 emphasizes that. Bermudagrass also brings out the best in him, with many of his best performances coming on it. He was in good form last time at the Sony Open, where he came 11th, but he ranked top in Tee to Green stats. That should stand him in good stead this weekend.