Kazakh ATP talents Mikhail Kukushkin and Alexander Bublik square off in round 1 action at the ATP Eastbourne tournament, Monday was rained out, but the match card on Tuesday is full, including home wild card James Ward vs Vasek Pospisil. We also have predictions for matches featuring Frances Tiafoe and Aljaz Bedene.
James Ward vs Vasek Pospisil
Pospisil leads the h2h 2-1 and won both matches on grass, he’s decent on the surface but only has one match win this season. Ward has played a short season and only has one match win. Ward once enjoyed a top 100 ranking and has had some special moments playing in, or representing the UK, but Pospisil should be past him at this point in their careers. Pospisil in 3
Norbert Gombos vs Alexei Popyrin
Popyrin won his first career ATP title earlier this year and is having a good season at 15-12 overall. He’s capable on grass but is in the midst of a five match losing streak and desperately needs form ahead of Wimbledon. Gombos is a lucky loser and trails in the h2h 1-0, there’s really nothing special about his game on grass and this should be just the match that Popyrin needs to find some form. Popyrin in 2
Mikhail Kukushkin vs Alexander Bublik
Kukushkin won the only official meeting between these Kazakh players, Kukushkin came through qualifying with ease, although he’s playing very poorly this season. The veteran will be an underdog against Bublik, who has posted a record 20 match wins this season, reaching two ATP finals, and winning a match at London Queen’s Club most recently. Kukushkin will play hard, but Bublik is simply the better player right now. Bublik in 2
Main Photo:
