After three thrilling days of tennis at the Winston-Salem Open in North Carolina, just 16 men are left in contention for the title. With the US Open, the final Major of the year, now just days away, every player left in the field will surely be desperate to ensure they make the perfect preparation for Flushing Meadows. But who will book their place in the quarterfinals?
Winston-Salem Open Day Four Predictions
Casper Ruud vs Steve Johnson
Head-to-head: first meeting
It has been an impressive, if unspectacular, season for Norway’s Casper Ruud, who has picked up a career-best 18 tour-level wins and he currently sits at a career-high ranking of world #54. After a first-round bye, he booked his place in the third round in Winston-Salem when Lloyd Harris retired trailing 1-6. Steve Johnson, meanwhile, has struggled in 2019, but has found some form in North Carolina, beating Frenchman Corentin Moutet 6-3 6-3 in the first round before hammering Dan Evans 6-1 6-3.
The American has played the best tennis of his career on fast courts which allow him to end the point quickly by deploying his big forehand. He will need to play that sort of aggressive first-strike tennis to beat Ruud, who is the more solid of the two from the back of the court. Indeed, if Ruud is regularly able to find the Johnson backhand, which remains a real weakness, he should be able to get the better of his opponent. But it is a weakness Johnson has defended well all week. Expect more of the same.
Prediction: Johnson in 3
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Benoit Paire vs Ugo Humbert
Head-to-head: first meeting
Both top seed Benoit Paire and his countryman Ugo Humbert are in the midst of excellent seasons. Paire has won two titles already this season and reached the second week at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon. He enjoyed a first-round bye at the Winston-Salem Open, beginning his campaign with a 6-3 7-5 win over India’s Prajnesh Gunneswaran. Humbert, who also reached the round of 16 at the All England Club, opened his tournament with a battling 3-6 6-3 6-2 win over Bjorn Fratangelo.
He possesses the fundamentals of a very good game, with his lefty serve and big forehand useful weapons. But his movement can be exposed and he may struggle to contend with the power that Paire can summon from his two-hander, which remains one of the best in the men’s game. Ultimately, whilst Humbert may have a bright future, Paire is unquestionably the better player at the moment. If he remains focused, he should have enough to see of his compatriot’s challenge.
Prediction: Paire in 3
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Feliciano Lopez vs Hubert Hurkacz
Head-to-head: first meeting
Feliciano Lopez has been in rather indifferent form this year, his memorable triumphs at Queen’s Club aside, but the veteran Spaniard showed that he can still play in his narrow 6-4 1-6 7-5 win over his countryman Pablo Andujar. His big serve and willingness to play on the front foot bailed him out more than once in that match and he will need more of the same against Hubert Hurkacz. The Pole has had an excellent year and will surely be targeting a deep run at the Winston-Salem Open. In his first match, he recovered well from a slow start to end Duckhee Lee’s dream run with a 4-6 6-0 6-3 win. Expect his power off the ground to prove too much for Lopez to contend with.
Prediction: Hurkacz in 3
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Denis Shapovalov vs Miomir Kecmanovic
Head-to-head: Shapovalov 1-0 Kecmanovic
After a miserable spell on the clay and grass in Europe, second seed Denis Shapovalov has been showing signs of life back on the hard courts of North America. Barring a mid-match loss of focus which saw him surrender four games on the bounce against Andy Murray’s conqueror Tennys Sandgren, the young Canadian delivered an assured performance to oust Sandgren 6-2 6-4 and book his place in the third round, having benefitted from a bye in the first.
But he looks set to be in for a stern test up against Miomir Kecmanovic. The Serbian has had a breakthrough year and cracked the top 50 for the first time at the start of this week after reaching the last 16 in Cincinnati as a qualifier. After also receiving a first-round bye, he began his Winston-Salem Open by beating Alexei Popyrin 7-6 6-3. He will be trusting in his consistency and movement to blunt the Shapovalov attack. But when the Canadian is on his game, as he looks to be this week, he can hit through almost anyone.
Prediction: Shapovalov in 3
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