The action is set to continue at the European Open in Antwerp, with a number of star names ready to join the fray on day two. But who will book their place in the round of 16?
ATP European Open Day 2 Predictions
Gilles Simon vs Steve Darcis
Head-to-head: Darcis 1-0 Simon
Steve Darcis will take to the court on his home soil for the last time, with the Belgian set to retire after the Australian Open 2020, when he takes on fellow veteran Gilles Simon. The Frenchman has had a largely indifferent season, barring an impressive run to the final at the Queen’s Club Championships, but will be hoping for a strong end to the season back in Europe. Although Darcis won their only previous meeting, that came back in 2007, so that result offers little insight about which way this match will go. Rather more illuminating is Darcis’ record in 2019, which stands at just 4-10. Simon may also have had his struggles, but the Frenchman remains a solid hard-courter and should have too much for Darcis and the sure to be partisan Belgian crowd.
Prediction: Simon in 3
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Richard Gasquet vs Kwon Soon-woo
Head-to-head: first meeting
Richard Gasquet won the title here in 2016, but if he is to repeat that triumph he’ll have to navigate a tough draw. His first test will be the in-form Kwon Soon-woo of South Korea, who found a rich vein of form of late and currently sits at world #88, just seven spots down on his career-high ranking of 81st in the world. He did fail to reach the main draw in Tokyo, losing in the final round of qualifying to top seed Pablo Andujar, but he scored a fine win over Lucas Pouille in Zhuhai. However, Gasquet is much more experienced and although he’s had a pretty lackluster year, the quick conditions should suit his aggressive, all-court game. Kwon has the game to keep it competitive, but expect the class of Gasquet to prove decisive.
Prediction: Gasquet in 2
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Feliciano Lopez vs Cameron Norrie
Head-to-head: Norrie 1-0 Lopez
Feliciano Lopez will take to the court for the first time since losing a four-set thriller to eventual finalist Daniil Medvedev at the US Open when he takes on Britain’s Cameron Norrie. This will be their second meeting after Norrie picked up a straight-sets win in Los Cabos last year. And having played some fine tennis in Asia, reaching the last 16 in Beijing and the round of 32 in Shanghai as a qualifier, Norrie may well feel confident about his chances of picking up another win. All the more so because Lopez hasn’t played a competitive match in over a month. If Norrie can impose himself from the back of the court and keep Lopez’s forays forward at bay with good passing shots, he should advance.
Prediction: Norrie in 3
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Andy Murray vs Kimmer Coppejans
Head-to-head: first meeting
Andy Murray will be looking for further progress in his comeback when he takes on the Belgian wild card Kimmer Coppejans. Coppejans doesn’t have much experience of the main tour. He has played just three matches at this level so far in 2019 and has a career-record of 3-8 on tour, which compares most unfavourably with Murray’s 666-197. Thus Coppejans will surely have to draw on the support of the home crowd to have a chance. But although Murray has not found his best tennis since his return from hip injury, his results in Asia were generally impressive. He looks hungry and focused and should have too much guile and power for the Belgian in Antwerp.
Prediction: Murray in 2
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