The last major of the year is here, and there are already some very interesting matches taking place. It should be an extremely exciting day- here are three of my predictions!
Milos Raonic vs Tim Smyczek
Milos Raonic will not have the easiest opening match as he faces home favourite Tim Smyczek. Raonic has only reached one final this year, in Brisbane in January, and has been dogged by injury problems- he had to withdraw from the French Open. He also hasn’t been in great form recently, losing early in Montreal and Cincinnati, and could be vulnerable early on here. Smyczek had a very high profile match against Rafael Nadal at the Australian, pushing the Spaniards to 5 sets, but hasn’t really been able to build on that result and it seems unlikely that he’ll be able to beat Raonic. However with the Canadian not near his best, Smyczek should make the 10th seed work hard for victory.
Prediction: Raonic in 4
Borna Coric vs Rafael Nadal
8th seed Rafael Nadal hasn’t been in great form this year and has a nightmare opening match here as he faces rising star Borna Coric, who is unlucky to be unseeded and won the only previous meeting between the two. Ranked 33rd, Coric has had a pretty consistent year and backed up his win over Nadal last year with a victory over Andy Murray earlier in the year. However, like most young players, Coric can be erratic and will probably have to be near his best to have a chance of beating Nadal, even in Nadal’s current form. The Spaniard doesn’t seem as physically strong as he used and is certainly vulnerable today, and Coric will be confident after his straight sets win over Nadal in Basel last year. The experience of Nadal should edge this one, though it shouldn’t be easy.
Prediction: Nadal in 5
Kei Nishikori vs Benoit Paire
Kei Nishikori is another one of the top seeds to have a tricky 1st round match as he faces the talented Benoit Paire later today. Paire had a poor 2014, but won his 1st title in Gstaad and is just outside the world’s top 40. The Frenchman is certainly talented and with Nishikori seemingly not fully fit (He withdrew from Cincinnati), Paire could potentially have an opportunity to cause an upset here. However Nishikori has won both their previous meetings and with final points to defend from last year, he will be determined to get off to a good start. Having won three titles this year, Nishikori should have the confidence and the skill to see this match off. However Paire has the potential to make this a very difficult match.
Prediction: Nishikori in 4
Also in action
Top seed Novak Djokovic starts his campaign against Joao Souza, whilst defending champion and 9th seed Marin Cilic faces qualifier Guido Pella in his first match. 7th David Ferrer returns from injury against Radu Albot whilst the other seeds playing are Andreas Seppi, Roberto Bautista Agut, David Goffin, Feliciano Lopez, Fabio Fognini, Tommy Robredo, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gael Monfils, Grigor Dimitrov and Jeremy Chardy. There is also a battle between two veterans, as Fernando Verdasco takes on Tommy Haas.
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