First Round action continues tomorrow in Kitzbuhel, with several of the seeds in action. Here are my predictions for three of the matches tomorrow!
Jiri Vesely vs Nicolas Almagro
This is a match of youth vs experience, as the up and coming Jiri Vesely faces the veteran Nicolas Almagro second on Grandstand course. These two have never played before, so may know little about each others games which could lead to an exciting match. Almagro, who has used his protected ranking to enter, is starting to get more competitive after a foot injury last year and certainly has the experience, though Vesely pushed Nadal in Hamburg last week and has more matches behind him. It promises to be tight.
Prediction: Almagro in 3
Jan-Lennard Struff vs Phillip Kohlschreiber
Another battle of youth vs experience here, as the 31 year old Kohlschreiber faces the 25 year old Struff. An all German battle, it is Kohlschreiber who has the experience on this surface with 3 clay court titles but the veteran hasn’t had a great year. However Struff is also not playing his best tennis at the moment, and will need to pick up his level to have any chance of winning.
Prediction: Kohlschreiber in 2
Jurgen Melzer vs Daniel Gimeno-Traver
Home favourite Melzer, now 34 years of age, faces a tough test in clay court specialist in the 29 year old Gimeno-Traver on centre court. Melzer leads the head to head 3-1, but it is only 2-1 on clay and they haven’t met since Hamburg in 2011 so it could take a while for both to get used to way each other play.
Prediction: Melzer in 3
Also in action
Jurgen Melzer’s brother, Gerald, faces Albert Montanes on Grandstand whilst Mikhail Youzhny faces Dusan Lajovic. Another Austrian, Andreas Haider-Maurer, faces Joao Souza on centre court.
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