Monday at the 2020 Adelaide International will see five ATP main draw clashes, with all of them looking very exciting and possibly closely-contested. Most of the pairs never played each other we are likely to see some great new rivalries emerge. Who do you think will advance?
ATP Adelaide International Day 2 Predictions
Lloyd Harris vs Christian Garin
Head-to-head: First meeting
Despite being in the same group at the ATP Cup, the two never faced each other as Christian Garin was the no.1 for Chile and Lloyd Harris starred as South Africa’s second-best behind Kevin Anderson. Garin never took a set but was lined up against some very tough opposition of Novak Djokovic, Gael Monfils, and the aforementioned Anderson.
Lloyd Harris had it much easier and got a couple of closely-contested matches in, taking down Garin’s team colleague Nicolas Jarry. The South African had to qualify to the main draw here, but did so with ease beating Mikalai Haliak and Stephane Robert in straight sets.
Although the South African might be a little erratic, he’s got a very big game that will surely set Garin on the backfoot. If he can find the court often enough with his scintillating forehand, he might be able to come up with a small upset here.
Prediction: Harris in 3
Sam Querrey vs Gregoire Barrere
Head-to-head: First meeting
Sam Querrey has chosen to kick-off his season a little differently than most, playing the exhibition Hawaii Open at the end of December. The American captured the title there, beating Jordan Thompson and young prodigy Brandon Nakashima. Barrere did it the more conventional way, and has come through qualifying at both Doha and Adelaide. In his only main draw match so far, the Frenchman lost to his compatriot Jeremy Chardy in three sets.
It should be a rather close match, with Querrey coming in slightly more rusty but having the power advantage. Even if his gameplan isn’t 100% working, the American has his serve as a huge back-up asset and it is likely to see him through here.
Prediction: Querrey in 3
Gilles Simon vs Jeremy Chardy
Head-to-head: Simon 4-2
The pair is tied at 2-2 in hard court matches, with the rivalry slowly shifting into Jeremy Chardy’s favor in more recent years. Gilles Simon got one match under his belt at the ATP Cup, defeating South Africa’s Lloyd Harris in a tight three-setter. Chardy went to Doha, where he took on Gregoire Barrere and Stan Wawrinka. The Swiss star turned out to be a bit too much for the Frenchman, but it was far from a blowout.
With two contrasting playing styles, the differences often come down to the surface. Chardy likes a faster court but also needs some time to smash his forehand with a rather long backswing. From what we’ve seen so far, that sort of profile should fit very well with the courts in Adelaide.
Prediction: Chardy in 3
Federico Delbonis vs James Duckworth
Head-to-head: First meeting
Contrasting playing styles will be on display again, with James Duckworth taking on Federico Delbonis. The Australian had a brilliant season on the ATP Challenger Tour last year, which will likely allow him to make some main tour inroads in 2020. His all-court game might be a little tough to endure for Delbonis, who is much more of a “baseline rally guy”.
The Argentinian got blown out by Tristan Lamasine in Noumea last week, but recovered nicely to beat Edward Winter and Salvatore Caruso to qualify for the main draw here. This advantage of having already played here might be him a bit of an edge, but with the home crowd behind him, Duckworth should have quite enough game to get that one.
Prediction: Duckworth in 3
Daniel Evans vs Juan Ignacio Londero
Head-to-head: First meeting
Daniel Evans had a fantastic week at the ATP Cup, beating David Goffin, Radu Albot and Alex De Minaur. These efforts will allow him to be seeded at a Grand Slam for the very first time at the Australian Open. Juan Ignacio Londero is coming to Adelaide on a four-match losing streak from the end of last year.
With Evans’ last week’s form, Londero will be unlikely to turn the tables here. The Brit plays a surprising slice and dice game with a lot of netplay and he won’t give Londero any rhythm off the baseline. The Argentinian will likely be a bit rusty and Evans is not an opponent you want to see in your first match in a while.
Prediction: Evans in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
