After an intriguing start to the China Open in Beijing, the competition is set to intensify as the remaining 16 players battle for a place in the quarterfinals. But who will book their place in the last eight in the Chinese capital?
China Open Day Three Predictions
Andy Murray vs Cameron Norrie
Head-to-head: first meeting
In the first match of the day on the main Diamond court at the China Open, Andy Murray will take on his countryman Cameron Norrie. The Scot recorded a superb straight-sets victory over world #13 Matteo Berrettini in his Beijing opener and will surely have high hopes of putting together a deep run. But as good as his 7-6 7-6 win over the Italian was, he will be aware of the threat posed by the left-handed Norrie, who has had another consistent year on tour.
He does not possess the power of Berrettini. But Norrie does have a good all round game and has been playing well in Beijing, coming through the qualifying by beating He Yecong of China and Bosnia’s Damir Dzumhur, before benefiting Christian Garin’s retirement with the Chilean trailing 6-7 0-1. With both men excellent movers, long rallies seem certain to be the order of the day. But Murray has an ability to step in and hit winners that Norrie lacks. That should prove the difference in an otherwise close contest.
Prediction: Murray in 2
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Jeremy Chardy vs Karen Khachanov
Head-to-head: first meeting
Although he has had a somewhat quiet year in singles, Jeremy Chardy has done well on the doubles court, reaching the final of Roland Garros with fellow Frenchman Fabrice Martin. He possesses a thunderous forehand and can volley well, and that skill in the forecourt proved to be of great value in his first-round clash with Marco Cecchinato, which he won narrowly, 6-7 6-3 7-6. However, he may find Karen Khachanov a tougher nut to crack.
The Russian has not quite lived up to the expectations generated by his run to the Paris Masters title at the close of the 2018 season. But his form has picked up in recent months after a dreadful start to the year and he played some fine tennis to beat Pablo Cuevas 6-2 7-6 in the first round. The surface suits Khachanov’s game, allowing him to use his power off both wings to good effect and generate plenty of bounce. Against Chardy, who struggles to defend his backhand, that should prove decisive.
Prediction: Khachanov in 2
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Andrey Rublev vs Fabio Fognini
Head-to-head: Fognini 4-1 Rublev
This should be some match if both players bring their best tennis. Fabio Fognini won the biggest title of his career this year at the Monte Carlo Masters, beating Rafael Nadal in the semifinals. Outside of the big four, the Italian is one of the most naturally gifted players on tour, although his footwork and composure can let him down at times. After what had been a difficult spell, Fognini got back to winning ways by edging out Mikhail Kukushkin 6-4 4-6 7-6.
In Andrey Rublev, the Italian faces one of the sport’s rising young talents. Rublev hasn’t been able to show his full potential yet due to injury, but he has nonetheless picked up some impressive results. In August, he beat Roger Federer en route to the semifinals in Cincinnati and he looks to have a real chance of winning Slams in the future. In the first round, he proved far too strong for Grigor Dimitrov. But he can struggle to execute against real pace and Fognini can generate plenty of that. Expect the Italian to edge it.
Prediction: Fognini in 3
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Dominic Thiem vs Zhang Zhizhen
Head-to-head: first meeting
Chinese wild card Zhang Zhizhen scored the best victory of his career in the first round against the struggling British #1 Kyle Edmund and he will have nothing to lose heading into this match. This is also probably a good time for him to play French Open finalist Dominic Thiem. The Austrian has had his struggles in the second half of the season, in large part due to a disruptive bout of illness that derailed his summer in North America. But Thiem delivered an impressive display in the first round to hammer Richard Gasquet 6-4 6-1 and will be looking to regain his top form. Thiem is a class above Edmund and should prove far too strong for the Chinese.
Prediction: Thiem in 2
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