There should be no shortage of entertainment and intrigue on day two at the Japan Open. Amongst those set to feature in Tokyo are world #1 Novak Djokovic, playing for the first time since his fourth-round retirement at the US Open earlier this month, whilst young guns Denis Shapovalov and Borna Coric are also in action. But who will advance to the second round?
Japan Open Day Two Predictions
Borna Coric vs Taro Daniel
Head-to-head: first meeting
Coric has not had the best 2019, in large part due to a succession of injuries. However there have been signs recently the Croat is slowly getting back to his best. He did have to withdraw from the US Open ahead of a second-round clash with Grigor Dimitrov, but he put that disappointment behind by reaching the final in St Petersburg, although he was well-beaten there by Daniil Medvedev, picking up only four games against the in-form Russian.
His opponent, home hope Taro Daniel has been mainly competing on the ATP Challenger Tour this season, but was awarded a wild card into the Japan Open. However, with Coric having been struggling for both form and fitness, Daniel may just believe that he can pick up a result here and it could be a close match. But Coric has the quality to step in and dictate to Daniel, something the Japanese will struggle to do and that should prove the difference in this one.
Prediction: Coric in 2
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Denis Shapovalov vs Miomir Kecmanovic
Head-to-head: Shapovalov 1-0 Kecmanovic
For all his undeniable talent, Canada’s Shapovalov has struggled to consistently pick up good results, a problem that has been particularly damaging to him for much of this year. However, a recent spell working with one-time world #8 Mikhail Youzhny in his coaching corner has seen the 20-year-old Canadian pick up some good results. In Winston-Salem he reached the semifinals, before losing narrowly to Gael Monfils in the third round at the US Open and reaching another semifinal in Chengdu.
Miomir Kecmanovic, who has enjoyed a fine season and is looking the likely heir to the great Djokovic in the Serbian tennis world, has seen his form stutter a little of late. He has not advanced beyond the second round since reaching the last 16 in Cincinnati, something he will surely be desperate to put right in Tokyo. But he may struggle to do so after losing heavily to Shapovalov in similar conditions at the Winston-Salem Open in August. Expect a similar result this time around.
Prediction: Shapovalov in 2
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Taylor Fritz vs Reilly Opelka
Head-to-head: Fritz 4-0 Opelka
This pair are best friends off the court and, likely as a result of their familiarity, all four of their previous meetings were fairly close contests. However, Fritz has had the better of their rivalry by some distance, winning all four matches, losing just one set in the process, although only two of their clashes have come at tour-level. But whilst Fritz has dominated Reilly Opelka for the most part, he does not arrive at the Japan Open in good form. He is without a win in four matches at regular tour events, although he did beat Dominic Thiem at the Laver Cup. And with the courts in Tokyo looking to suit big-servers, this could finally be Opelka’s chance to get the better of his compatriot.
Prediction: Opelka in 2
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Novak Djokovic vs Alexei Popyrin
Head-to-head: first meeting
The 20-year-old Alexei Popyrin has had a breakthrough season, enjoying considerable success in qualifying draws and breaking into the top 100 as a result of his efforts. Impressively, he won main draw matches at all four of the Majors, reaching the third round in both Melbourne and New York. He should also be accustomed to the conditions at the Japan Open after again coming through the qualifying, beating Yosuke Watanuki and his countryman James Duckworth to reach the main draw.
However, it will surely be a big test when he steps on court against the best player in the world. There are still question marks over whether Djokovic has fully recovered from the shoulder injury which derailed his North American summer hard-court swing. He will also surely be feeling some ring rust after the better part of a month out of action. But the Serbian is a 16-time Major champion for a reason. If he is healthy, expect a straightforward victory for the world #1 in Tokyo.
Prediction: Djokovic in 2
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