Italy’s Fabio Fognini looks to get past home player Yuichi Sugita on day 1 of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games, Japan’s own Taro Daniel is also in action. We have predictions for all of the Olympic Tennis, split between four articles. One features Novak Djokovic vs Hugo Dellien, the second headlines Tennys Sandgren vs Pablo Carreno Busta, and the third features Daniil Medvedev vs Alexander Bublik.
Fabio Fognini vs Yuichi Sugita
Damian Kust: Sugita pushed Fognini to five sets three years ago, but the Japanese has been out of form for a while now. The Italian could of course lose to himself and his fragile mentality, but it’s unlikely against an opponent who won’t raise this many questions. Fognini in 2
Steen Kirby: Fognini leads the h2h 1-0, he’s clearly a better player though consistency is often a struggle. Sugita is playing at home but he’s a career journeyman and his form is quite poor. Fognini in 2
Yesh Ginsburg: If this match had a crowd I’d pick Fognini. He always plays his best when the crowd is against him. Without a crowd, though, and against a home player at the Tokyo Olympics, an upset could be on the cards. Sugita in 3
Tommy Paul vs Aslan Karatsev
Damian: Karatsev’s magical rise took a bit of a halt on clay and grass, especially on the latter where he definitely wasn’t in his element. It remains to be seen whether he can recapture the spark, but Paul is coming back after missing two months and it should allow the Russian a bit of breathing space. Karatsev in 3
Steen: Karatsev was having the season of his life but he’s lost form quickly in recent weeks, Paul hasn’t played tennis in a while though and Karatsev on a hard court can do plenty of damage. Karatsev in 2
Yesh: Karatsev is finally back on hard courts. Last time we saw him on this surface, he was blasting past everyone but Novak Djokovic. That trend could continue. Karatsev in 2
Taro Daniel vs Lorenzo Sonego
Damian: This is potentially tricky, but Sonego should be able to get on top with his big serve and aggressive baseline game. Daniel will be better suited to the heat and the conditions, but the Italian’s class should prevail. Sonego in 3
Steen: Taro Daniel is representing his nation in a home Olympic games, but Sonego’s form is much better and on a hard court he’s more of a threat. It would take something special from Daniel to pull an upset. Sonego in 2
Yesh: Sonego is a rising young player who has a powerful game. Daniel might be at home, but he’ll have no answers for the Italian. Sonego in 2
Sumit Nagal vs Denis Istomin
Damian: Great chance for either of them and both really need this win. Istomin has played two hard-court Challengers in July already, but with disappointing results. It won’t be pretty, but Istomin’s power and a more natural set of abilities for this surface might just let him take it. Istomin in 3
Steen: Neither player is particularly impressive and have been struggling for a while, Istomin on a hard court should have a slight edge though. Istomin in 3
Yesh: Rafael Nadal is not playing in Tokyo, but Sumit Nagal is. Unfortunately, having similar names does not make you similar tennis players. Istomin hasn’t been at his best in years, so this could be a close match anyway. Istomin in 3
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