In yet another event taking place at Melbourne Park this week, it’s the ATP Murray River Open, not to be confused with Andy Murray, as he’s neither in the event or Australia altogether! Headlined by former Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka, there’s a number of ATP players trying to start off their season in the best possible fashion. Here are predictions for some of the more intriguing opening day matches.
ATP Murray River Open Day 1 Predictions
Sumit Nagal vs Ricardas Berankis
Head to head: 0-0
Whilst the Indian is still young at only 23, he hasn’t made the impact on tour many thought he could with the sort of game he possesses. It’s been too much of great spells only occurring in the odd match here and there. On the other hand, Berankis, now 30, has spent his whole career with people thinking he was better than his results were to show. In a battle of somewhat underachievers, it will be close but Berankis has the far more solid ground game with tons more experience on his side which will get him over the finish line.
Prediction: Berankis in 3
Blake Mott vs Albert Ramos-Vinolas
Head to head: 0-0
You’re probably thinking to yourself, “who the heck is Blake Mott?” Well he’s actually a wild card here and ranked #480 in the world. That’s right, 480! Playing the World #46 and former Masters finalist in Ramos is going to be far too much of a task. I mean, Mott’s last few losses have all from players ranked outside the top 200, some even being ranked far lower. Barring a miracle, this will be an easy win for Ramos-Vinolas.
Prediction: Ramos-Vinolas in 2
Marton Fucsovics vs Marco Cecchinato
Head to head: Fucsovics 2-1
Remember when Cecchinato made the Roland Garros semifinals just three years ago? Since then he’s not really done anything of note. In fact, on hard courts he hasn’t really done anything whatsoever, besides lose early on in almost every event he’s played. Fucsovics, on the other hand, a former Wimbledon juniors champion, has never reached anywhere near the same highs on the main tour, but what he is now is a solid professional who can produce on hard courts. In a very nice opening match for Fucsovics, he should prevail without much trouble.
Prediction: Fucsovics in 2
Tommy Paul vs Cameron Norrie
Head to head: Paul 1-0 (Challenger match)
World # 53 against World #67. Not much to pick between them and I think both have impressed and already achieved far more in their young careers than most people would have ever thought. Whilst Norrie is definitely the more consistent of the two, Paul’s highs on a hardcourt are higher. You know what you’re going to get from the Brit, but with the American it’s always up for question. This match could really go either way, and I’m going to sway just a little to the American’s side.
Prediction: Paul in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
