There should be no shortage of entertainment on day three at the Zhuhai Open, with the schedule packed with intriguing matches. But who will book their place in the quarterfinals in China?
Zhuhai Open Day Three Predictions
Soonwoo Kwon vs Lucas Pouille
Head-to-head: first meeting
Soonwoo Kwon had the best results of his career this summer on the hard courts of North America, reaching the quarterfinals in Los Cabos and qualifying for the Rogers Cup and the US Open. Last week, he reached the semifinals at the Jinan Challenger. It will be interesting to see if he can carry on that good form during the remainder of the Asian swing. Lucas Pouille, meanwhile, has had a quick turnaround after reaching the semifinals in Metz last week. That has surely left him short of time to acclimatise to the conditions in China, which can be demanding. Expect Kwon to capitalise.
Prediction: Kwon in 3
Embed from Getty Images
Andreas Seppi vs Nick Kyrgios
Head-to-head: Kyrgios 3-1 Seppi
Nick Kyrgios on the Asian Swing usually doesn’t end well. He’s had his fair share of good results, but they have invariably been followed up by controversy, largely relating to a lack of effort. It’s tough to guess where his head will be at following the quick turnaround from Laver Cup, but after the glamour in Geneva, it would not be a massive surprise to see him lacking in motivation at the Zhuhai Open. Andreas Seppi may now be approaching the end of his career at 35, but the Italian is playing well and arrives in Zhuhai after winning a Challenger in Cary, North Carolina. Expect him to pick up where he left off and upset Kyrgios.
Prediction: Seppi in 2
Embed from Getty Images
Miomir Kecmanovic vs Albert Ramos Vinolas
Head-to-head: first meeting
Albert Ramos Vinolas looked great in his opening-round win over Yoshihito Nishioka. That had looked like a tough assignment for the Spaniard, a former-finalist at the Monte Carlo Masters, but he managed to win 6-2 6-1. However, it doesn’t get any easier for the world #46 with the impressive young gun Miomir Kecmanovic up next. Kecmanovic advanced to the second round after Casper Ruud was unable to continue after dropping the opening set. Kecmanovic looked to be playing well, which he’ll have to do again to get past Ramos Vinolas. Expect it to be close, but Kecmanovic is the better hard-courter and should move on to the quarterfinals.
Prediction: Kecmanovic in 3
Embed from Getty Images
Gael Monfils vs Cameron Norrie
Head-to-head: Monfils 1-0 Norrie
Gael Monfils is back in action for the first time since his heartbreaking loss to Matteo Berrettini in the quarterfinals of the US Open. The Frenchman had his chances in that match, but not for the first time proved unable to capitalise, ultimately losing to Berrettini after five gruelling sets. But he will surely have been eager to get back on the court after a loss like that. Particularly as if Monfils wants to keep his slim hopes of competing at the season-ending championships alive, the next few weeks are going to be crucial. Norrie, meanwhile, has had another solid season, but there is little in his game that should trouble Monfils if he is focused. This looks like being a comfortable Monfils win.
Prediction: Monfils in 2
Main photo;
Embed from Getty Images
