Day two at the Washington Open brings the start of the second round, which will feature all sixteen seeds. In action on day two are the likes of Marin Cilic, Karen Khachanov and Kyle Edmund. But who will reach the second round?
Washington Open Day Two Predictions
Kyle Edmund vs Lloyd Harris
Head-to-head: first meeting
After a career-best season in 2018, British #1 Kyle Edmund has found 2019 something of a struggle, in no small part to a succession of injuries, including a knee problem that derailed his Wimbledon campaign. He does still have formidable power off the forehand and a solid all-round game, but his movement has been hampered enough to prevent him winning matches on a regular basis. As a result, he finds himself ranked 34th in the world and in danger of going into the US Open unseeded.
He will need all his mobility up against the big-hitting South African Lloyd Harris, who took a set off Roger Federer at Wimbledon and beat Ricardas Berankis in three in the first round at the Washington Open. He, unlike Edmund, is acclimatised to the conditions in North America and will surely be full of confidence after his first-round win. If Edmund is in full health, he should still have enough, but it has been a while since that could be said of the Yorkshireman.
Prediction: Harris in 3
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Jack Sock vs Jordan Thompson
Head-to-head: Thompson 2-0 Sock
Few players have had as sudden a fall from grace as Jack Sock. At the end of 2017, he won the Paris Masters to qualify for the World Tour Finals in London. He now finds himself ranked at world #173 having played just two tour-level matches in singles this year after a battle with injury. His opponent Jordan Thompson, in contrast, has enjoyed an excellent year, having picked up 21 wins and broken into the top 50. He has also won both his previous matches against Sock.
The Australian has, however, lost three matches in a row since reaching the semifinals at the Antalya Open in June and will likely be low on confidence. But the fundamentals of his game remain strong. His backhand can be a weakness, but he covers the court well and possesses a useful first serve and forehand. Up against a Sock this short of match sharpness and fitness, expect him to break his three match losing streak and reach the second round in Washington.
Prediction: Thompson in 3
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Andrey Rublev vs Bernard Tomic
Head-to-head: first meeting
Andrey Rublev once looked set to be one of the leading lights of the Next Generation. Injury has thus far prevented him from fulfilling that potential, but he looked back to something approaching his best in reaching the final at the Hamburg Open in Germany. That has given him little turn around time before beginning his Washington Open, but winning is often contagious. And up against the fairly immobile Bernard Tomic, the Russian should feel confident about his chances. He has more than enough power to hit through the Australian and expect him to do just that.
Prediction: Rublev in 2
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Marin Cilic vs Marius Copil
Head-to-head: Cilic 2-2 Copil
2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic arrives at the Washington Open in desperate need of a win. It has been a miserable year for the Croatian. He is currently ranked 17th in the world and has just 11 wins to his name so far this season, though that is seven more than Romania’s Marius Copil has. Copil did, however, reach the third round in D.C. last season and impressed in dispatching Denmark’s Mikael Torpegaard in the first round, serving 13 aces en route to a 6-1 5-7 6-3 win. He has also twice beaten Cilic, including in their last match. Expect him to score another win at Cilic’s expense.
Prediction: Copil in 3
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