After an intriguing start to the Chengdu Open in this first week of the ATP tour’s Asian swing, the stage is set for the second round and we here at LWOT are offering predictions for all eight matches on the slate. But who will book their place in the quarterfinals and who will fall to defeat?
Chengdu Open Day 4 Predictions
Denis Shapovalov vs Bradley Klahn
Head-to-head: first meeting
It has been a solid season for Bradley Klahn, who currently finds himself inside the world’s top 100 at 97th in the rankings. He reached the second round at the US Open, where he took a set of Kei Nishikori, and the quarterfinals in New Haven at one of the Oracle Challengers, losing out there to Tommy Paul. And he already has three matches under his belt at the Chengdu Open after coming through the qualifying by beating Hiroki Moriya and Lloyd Harris before edging Jason Jung in the first round.
Denis Shapovalov, meanwhile, was most recently in action at the Laver Cup as part of the losing World team. He has struggled with inconsistency, but after a dreadful period on the clay and grass, he appears to have recaptured the spark that make him such an exciting prospect. He certainly proved too strong for Ricardas Berankis in the first round, winning 6-3 6-4. And whilst Klahn has battled impressively this week, there is a gap in class here. Expect Shapovalov to exploit it.
Prediction: Shapovalov in 2
Embed from Getty Images
Fernando Verdasco vs Cristian Garin
Head-to-head: first meeting
At his best, Fernando Verdasco remains a formidable opponent. But it is a long-time since the Spaniard was able to find his best-level with any sort of consistency. Nonetheless, he remains ranked inside the top 40 and rather dismissed the challenge of Australia’s Alexei Popyrin in the first round, winning 6-2 7-5. Cristian Garin, competing for the first-time since a disappointingly one-sided second-round loss at the US Open to Alex De Minaur, brushed aside seventh seed Kyle Edmund, 6-3 6-2.
This match will almost certainly be contested almost exclusively from the baseline. Verdasco, a doubles player of some note, does have good touch in the forecourt but rarely exploits it when playing singles. With the power he can summon, particularly off his forehand, that is understandable. But Garin too can hit through opponents and he is the better mover of the two. It will likely be close, but expect the Chilean to draw enough errors from the Verdasco racquet to claim victory.
Prediction: Garin in 3
Embed from Getty Images
Alexander Bublik vs Jordan Thompson
Head-to-head: first meeting
The unorthodox, attacking tennis of Alexander Bublik claimed another noteworthy victim in the first round at the Chengdu Open as the Kazakh ousted Taylor Fritz of the USA in three sets. It was an impressive display, but he’ll need to maintain that level as he takes on the battling Australian Jordan Thompson. Thompson is not one of the most naturally gifted players on tour, but he maximises his quality well and his effort is never lacking. Typically rock solid off the ground and with a serve that is hard to attack, he may well back himself to grind Bublik down over the course of this match. And he is likely right to do so.
Prediction: Thompson in 3
Embed from Getty Images
Dusan Lajovic vs Lloyd Harris
Head-to-head: first meeting
South Africa’s Harris crashed out of the final round of qualifying at the hands of Klahn. But he has taken full advantage of a withdrawal granting him a spot in the draw as a lucky loser, beating Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics from a set down to set up this second-round clash with the fifth-seeded Dusan Lajovic. The Serbian, who enjoyed the finest run of his career earlier this season by reaching the Monte Carlo Masters final, opened his campaign with a hard-fought 6-2 4-6 6-4 win over Juan Ignacio Londero.
Harris does not want for power and possesses an excellent first serve. He will need that to be firing if he is to get the better of Lajovic as the Serbian is unquestionably the more complete player of the two. His forehand is lacking a little in power, but his one-handed backhand is one of the best in the sport and he will surely feel confident about his chances if he can engage Harris in backhand-to-backhand rallies. He is also a better mover. Expect those advantages to prove decisive.
Prediction: Lajovic in 3
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
