It’s an extremely busy day in Winston-Salem as the final first round matches take place, as well as a few second round matches also happening. It should be a great day, with several intriguing matches set to happen. Here are three of my predictions!
Alexandr Dolgopolov vs Thanasi Kokkinakis
Alexandr Dolgopolov will be looking to continue his good run of form as he faces Thanasi Kokkinakis in an opening round match, which is second on Stadium court. Dolgopolov comes into this tournament following a run to the semi-finals in Cincinnati, where he was a qualifier, and will be full of confidence. Kokkinakis lost early in Cincinnati, and it will be interesting to see how well he plays following his involvement in two high profile, controversial issues within the past couple of weeks. Dolgopolov has risen back into the top 40 with his run to Cincinnati and is certainly playing better tennis than the young Australian at the moment. However he may be worn out following a long week in Cincinnati and Kokkinakis could have a chance if the Ukranian is tired. There is no doubt that Dolgopolov is in better form than Kokkinakis, and he should come through this one today.
Prediction: Dolgopolov in 2
Lukas Rosol vs Ernests Gulbis
Defending champion Lukas Rosol has been in poor form of late and has a difficult opening round match here as he faces Ernests Gulbis first on Stadium Court. Gulbis has been in generally poor form since his run to the semi-finals at the French Open last year and lost early in a Challenger in Vancouver last week, but reached the quarter-finals in Montreal in the previous week, having two match points against Novak Djokovic and beating Rosol on his way to the last eight in 3 sets. However Rosol has won their other two meetings without losing a set, including at Wimbledon this year, and is always a dangerous player- Nadal could tell you that. Gulbis is now higher ranked, due to his run in Montreal and Rosol losing his points for winning this tournament last year, and could be in better form. However as both men are erratic, in could go either way here.
Prediction: Gulbis in 3
Borna Coric vs Santiago Giraldo
8th seed Borna Coric starts his campaign for a first career title against Santiago Giraldo in a second round match up on Court 2. Coric has been in good form this year, and at a current ranking of 35th he is unlucky to be unseeded for the US Open. He faces Giraldo, who is through to the second round after Steve Darcis retired after just 2 games in their opening round match. Giraldo, a clay court specialist, has been in pretty average form this year and hasn’t really excelled on hard courts this year. Coric, like most of the young stars in tennis, can be erratic but should have enough to win today.
Prediction: Coric in 2
Also in action
There are several singles matches taking place with seeds such as Benoit Paire and Steven Johnson in action.
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