The ATP Tour moves to Asia for an exciting hard court season with important ranking points on offer. Tennis action kicks off in Chengdu, China in what promises to be a highly competitive week of tennis. The draw boasts of big names like top seed John Isner, US Open 2019 semifinalist Grigor Dimitrov, and the top-ranked Canadian, Felix Auger-Aliassime.
The two British players in the draw are both scheduled to take the court on opening day. Here’s analyzing and predicting Day 1 first-round matches at the ATP Chengdu Open.
ATP Chengdu Open Day 1 Predictions
Daniel Evans vs Yan Bai
Head to head – First Meeting
Daniel Evans hasn’t had a particularly good year so far in 2019. Since his final appearance in Delray Beach, the Brit has had middling results. Evans needs to be at his best from the get-go if he’s to compile a deep run at this year’s Chengdu Open, with the winner of this match slated to play Grigor Dimitrov.
His first-round opponent is wild card Yan Bai from China. On paper, it should be an easy matchup for Evans who is more experienced on the ATP Tour. However, with the home crowd on his side, Bai may not prove to be an easy pushover. Expect the Chinese wild card to remain competitive to eke out a set but Evans should set up an exciting clash with Grigor Dimitrov.
Prediction: Evans in 3
Bradley Klahn vs Jason Jung
Head to head – First Meeting
This one is a tough match to predict as neither player is used to playing on the main ATP Tour. The American Bradley Klahn played two good matches to come through qualifying but so did his opponent Jason Jung. It’s a good opportunity for either player to collect some ranking points and move up the rankings. Either way, expect this match to go the distance with the American who looked the stronger out of the two in qualifying to progress forward.
Prediction: Klahn in 3
Kyle Edmund vs Cristian Garin
Head to head – First Meeting (Garin 1-0 Edmund in Challenger Events)
It can’t get any better than this as far as first-round clashes go. Cristian Garin has enjoyed a breakthrough year so far in 2019 winning two titles in Houston and Munich. However, both of those were on clay courts and the Chilean is yet to prove his worth on the hard courts.
He faces the No. 1 Brit Kyle Edmund having already beaten him once in a challenger event in Montevideo albeit way back in 2015. The hard courts at Chengdu provide Edmund with a great chance to win matches on his favorite surface and a win over Garin will boost his confidence. Edmund hasn’t had a great year so far and while hard courts may not be his favored surface, Garin has provided enough evidence this year to make him the slight favorite heading into this match. Expect this match to be a tight contest with the Chilean edging it.
Prediction: Garin in 3
Main Photo:
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Disagree with our ATP Chengdu Open Day 1 Predictions? As always, feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.
