Though the seeds at the Washington Open, where the North American summer hard-court swing will get underway in earnest, are not in action until later in the week, there is still plenty to look forward to on day one. But who will reach the second round? And don’t worry, we also have predictions for four other Day 1 matches.
Washington Open Day 1 Predictions
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs Brayden Schnur
Head-to-head: first meeting
Brayden Schnur made his mark earlier this season with a run to the New York Open final (lost to Opelka). It was his effective lefty serve and accurate forehand that took him there, but he has made rather little noise since, though he did break into the top 100 for the first time last week. And having come through the qualifying, he will be accustomed to the conditions. But will that be enough to take him past Jo-Wilfried Tsonga? The Frenchman is not the player he once was, but still possesses a powerful game. His athleticism can fail him, however. If Schnur can spread the court effectively, he should be able to outmanoeuvre the former world #5.
Prediction: Schnur in 3
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Marius Copil vs Mikael Torpegaard
Head-to-head: first meeting
Romania’s Marius Copil does not lack power. His serve is a real weapon and he can hit through opponents off both wings. But he does all too often struggle for consistency. His opponent, Mikael Torpegaard has little experience at tour-level. He did once face Rafael Nadal in the Davis Cup playing for Denmark, losing in straight sets, but his tally of six ATP matches compares unfavourably with Copil’s 140. Though the Romanian has won just three tour-level this year, he should feel confident about his chances of adding a fourth win against the inexperienced Torpegaard.
Prediction: Copil in 2
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Malek Jaziri vs Marc Polmans
Head-to-head: first meeting
The Tunisian veteran Malek Jaziri enjoyed quite the late-career surge reaching a career-high ranking of world #42 this January. Since then, however, he has rather struggled and finds himself ranked just outside the top 100 at the Washington Open. So too is Australian opponent Marc Polmans, the world #179, still looking for his first win at tour-level. Both men played well to come through the qualifying and should be match tough as a result. But whilst Polmans’ looks to be a player on the rise, Jaziri is unquestionably in decline. And it is hard to argue with that sort of momentum.
Prediction: Polmans in 3
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Matthew Ebden vs Tim Smyczek
Head-to-head: Ebden 1-1 Smyczek
Tim Smyczek has never lacked heart, but his game is short of a real weapon and his serve can be exposed. Nonetheless, he impressed in coming through the qualifying and will surely have taken real confidence from his two victories in Washington. Ebden has more power than the American, but despite his preference for serve-volleying he is not one of the more natural touch players in the game. On the comparatively hard courts of North America against a mover of Smyczek’s quality that could prove terminal to his chances.
Prediction: Smyczek in 3
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