Day two at the China Open should see no shortage of entertaining action with top seed Dominic Thiem, former-world #1 Andy Murray and Greek young gun Stefanos Tsitsipas all set to join the fray in Beijing. But who will book their place in the second round?
China Open Day Two Predictions
Andy Murray vs Matteo Berrettini
Head-to-head: first meeting
The first match of the day on Centre Court will see the in-form Italian Matteo Berrettini take on Murray. The Italian has enjoyed a breakout year on the ATP tour. At the Italian Open, he stunned 2017 champion Alexander Zverev and that started a run that has taken him into the world’s top 20. Already this year, he has picked up titles in Budapest and Stuttgart this season, as well as reaching the fourth round at the All England Club and the semifinals in New York.
With a big serve and forehand, Berrettini has the weapons to do some real damage this week and will surely not lack confidence. Murray, meanwhile, had a positive week in Zhuhai last time out. The Scot beat Tennys Sandgren of the USA to win his first singles match on tour since a hip operation earlier this year, before testing eventual champion Alex De Minaur in the second round. But the power of Berrettini will surely make him a challenge too far for Murray this early in his comeback.
Prediction: Berrettini in 2
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Dominic Thiem vs Richard Gasquet
Head-to-head: Gasquet 2-0 Thiem
Thiem has had his fair share of successes this year, not least winning his first Masters 1000 title in Indian Wells and reaching a second final at Roland Garros. However, the second half of the season has not proven successful for the Austrian, with a sustained bout of illness not aiding his cause. He did win the title in Kitzbuhel at the last clay-court event of the year, but lost in the first round at Wimbledon and in Cincinnati and New York. The veteran Richard Gasquet, meanwhile, has had his fair share of injury troubles this year.
But having got some matches under his belt in recent months, including an impressive run to the semifinals in Cincinnati, he may feel confident of doing some damage on the fast Asian and European courts during the closing weeks of the season. Make no mistake, on his day he is still a very dangerous player, who has twice beaten Thiem without reply. But will he be able to stand up to the power of Thiem, who has the motivation of knowing a run to the final will secure his spot in London? Two years on from their last meeting, most likely not.
Prediction: Thiem in 2
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Dusan Lajovic vs Stefanos Tsitsipas
Head-to-head: Lajovic 1-0 Tsitsipas
Tsitsipas made an excellent start to his year, reaching his first Grand Slam semifinal at the Australian Open after beating Roger Federer in the fourth round. His performance to beat Rafael Nadal in the semifinals in Madrid was one of the best of the year. But his form has tailed off badly in recent months since a heartbreaking loss to Stan Wawrinka in the fourth round at the French Open. Indeed, he has not won a match on the regular tour since the Washington Open, nearly two months ago.
Dusan Lajovic has also had one of the best years of his career, reaching his first Masters 1000 final in Monte Carlo, losing to Fabio Fognini. With both players at their best when playing on the front foot and both the owners of striking one-handed backhands, this match promises to be easy on the eye. But Lajovic, who is at his best on the clay, is susceptible to being rushed in quicker conditions. If Tsitsipas can take the ball early, as he does at his best, expect the Greek to win in two tight sets.
Predicting: Tsitsipas in 2
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Gael Monfils vs John Isner
Head-to-head: Monfils 7-4 Isner
Surely the match of the day at the China Open, this promises to be a blockbuster clash between two world class players. Since reaching the final in Miami earlier this year, John Isner has struggled with injury. But over the past couple of seasons the American’s game has been going from strength to strength. Of particular note is his increased confidence in the forecourt, which for a player with a serve and forehand as powerful as his, is a valuable weapon indeed.
Gael Monfils, in contrast to the struggling American, has been in good form recently, reaching the quarterfinals of the US Open, although he may have been disappointed to lose to Albert Ramos Vinolas in straight-sets in his second outing in Zhuhai last week. This match looks set to go the distance and at least one tiebreak seems likely. But Monfils is unquestionably in better form and has a healthy advantage in this pair’s head-to-head. Expect him to extend at the China Open.
Prediction: Monfils in 3
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