Novak Djokovic beat Roger Federer in an epic final to bring the men’s event at Wimbledon to an end, but that doesn’t mean grass tennis is over for the year. This week, Newport will host the last grass-court event of the season at the Hall of Fame Open. Who will prevail and who will fall on day one?
Hall of Fame Open Day One Predictions
Bernard Tomic vs Ilya Ivashka
Head-to-head: never Played
Bernard Tomic will battle Ilya Ivashka in the first round of the Hall of Fame Open. Tomic has had a mediocre grass-court season, going 3-5 so far. That included a straight set defeat at Wimbledon, in a controversial match that didn’t last an hour. Ivashka played his first match since Monte Carlo in the Recanati Challenger. Taking on Matteo Viola, Ivashka lost in a tight three-set match. Ivashka has only won three matches on grass in his career, all coming at the Nottingham Challenger last year.
These two have never played before. This match will really come down to whether or not Tomic is motivated and interested in the match. When he’s locked in, he can be a real threat on grass, as evidenced by his 2011 Wimbledon quarterfinal appearance. His flat groundstrokes are effective on grass, particularly in Newport, where the bounce is very low. Expect Tomic to start his ATP Newport campaign on a positive note.
Prediction: Tomic in 2
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Ivo Karlovic vs Guido Andreozzi
Head-to-head: never Played
Ivo Karlovic takes on Guido Andreozzi for a spot in the second round in Newport. Karlovic has had an average grass court season so far, going 5-4, but he did make it to the second round at Wimbledon. Andreozzi has only won two matches on grass in his life, and none this year. In fact, the Italian won one set in the two matches on grass he’s played this season, and he last won on grass in the 2015 Wimbledon qualifying tournament.
These two have never played before. Karlovic’s huge serve and flat, powerful groundstrokes should serve him well on the Hall of Fame Open’s grass. Karlovic has made the final three times, winning the title in 2016 against Gilles Muller in a third set tiebreak. Andreozzi’s game, in contrast, does not offer him many advantages on the grass. This looks likely to be a comfortable outing for the big-serving Croatian.
Prediction: Karlovic in 2
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Alastair Gray vs Kamil Majchrzak
Head-to-head: never Played
Alastair Gray will look for his first ATP Tour victory when he plays Kamil Majchrzak. Gray, a wildcard entry, has played a few times on grass in his life. He lost in qualifying in the Surbiton Challenger, but got into the main draw as a lucky loser where he lost in straight sets to Kwon Soon-woo . He played the Junior Wimbledon event against Felix Auger-Aliassime, but lost that match in straight sets.
Kamil Majchrzak, meanwhile, has played great tennis on grass this season. He made the semifinals of the Ilkley Challenger and then qualified for Wimbledon without dropping a set. These two have never played before. Majchrzak clearly understands how to play on grass and is in form. While playing on the very low bouncing courts of Newport should be an adjustment for both players, look for Majchrzak to come through this match easily.
Prediction: Majchrzak in 2
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Denis Istomin vs Tennys Sandgren
Head-to-head: never Played
A trip to the second round of the Hall of Fame Open is on the line as Denis Istomin takes on Tennys Sandgren. Istomin won the first ATP Tour title of his career on the grass in Nottingham, but has had a tough time on the surface this year, winning only two sets in four matches. Sandgren won a couple of matches in Eastbourne, and then made the round of 16 of Wimbledon before losing to Sam Querrey in a tight four-setter.
While Istomin has had success on grass before, one wonders whether Sandgren’s top-class defense will frustrate Istomin into costly unforced errors. Counter-punching was one of Sandgren’s biggest strength’s at Wimbledon, and he will surely try to bring this skill with him to Newport. Istomin recently made the semifinals of a hard-court Challenger in Winnetka, but he has not played his best tennis recently.
Prediction: Sandgren in 2
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