The Tokyo 2020 Olympic games get underway with stars like Marin Cilic and Daniil Medvedev in action on day 1. We have predictions for all of the Olympic Tennis, as many ATP players represent their country in competitive match play, split between four articles. One features Fabio Fognini vs Yuichi Sugita, the second headlines Tennys Sandgren vs Pablo Carreno Busta, and the third features Novak Djokovic vs Hugo Dellien.
Daniil Medvedev vs Alexander Bublik
Anurag Sahay: It has been an impressive season for Medvedev, especially on hard courts with title wins in Marseille and Melbourne and a final at the Australian Open. His first ever Olympics comes when he is ranked number two in the World. Add to that, a dash of extra emotions representing your nation. Bublik is a tricky opponent but that’s what he is – one can expect a whole lot of surprises from him but not consistency. The Russian’s game is too consistent and composed for Bublik to cause any real damage. A first round loss for the hard-court specialist is out of question. This might not be very straight forward, but still a straight sets win is in sight. Medvedev in 2
Damian Kust: It was incredibly unlucky for Medvedev to run into Bublik first round at the French Open, and it is no different here, especially with a depleted field. This is a possible upset alert, but after the Russian so comfortably handled him in Paris, I’m not expecting anything else here. Medvedev in 2
Yesh Ginsburg: Daniil Medvedev impressed on clay and grass in the Majors, but he’s finally back on his beloved hard courts. Bublik is playing well, but nothing will slow Medvedev down in the early rounds here. Medvedev in 2
Gilles Simon vs Egor Gerasimov
Anurag: By now, one could say that Simon’s game has waned down to a point where it is hard to see him recovering from. The Frenchman is 2-13 and he has slipped out of the top 100 on ATP. As much as Simon has had a terrible year, he is up against Gerasimov, who is very comfortable on the quick hard courts. The Belarusian saw himself into the semifinal at Montpellier and if he can summon that form from early this year, he should clear the test. Will Simon put up a fight? Not likely. Gerasimov in 2
Damian: Neither player is having a particularly good year, but Gerasimov is at least winning matches semi-regularly. Simon won just twice and lost thirteen times this season, arriving here on a ten-match losing streak. The veteran’s decline is taking a rapid pace at the moment. Gerasimov in 3
Yesh: Gilles Simon is in the twilight of his career, but he should be able to wile his way past Gerasimov. The young Belarusian has never quite been in a situation like this before. Simon in 3
Ugo Humbert vs Pablo Andujar
Anurag: Not surprisingly, Andujar, who is a clay-courter, has a woeful record on hard courts. Humbert, who is 15-14, had also demonstrated his dislike for hard courts earlier this year. With both of them terrible on this surface, the Frenchman might just have an edge following his recent form in the grass swing. Should be a fascinating match. I am banking on Humbert. Humbert in 3
Damian: Humbert hasn’t played since losing the opener at Wimbledon to Kyrgios, but the grass season should still give him a lot of confidence. Andujar retired in his last match and even in reportedly slow hard court conditions, he shouldn’t be much of a threat to the Frenchman. Humbert in 2
Yesh: Humbert is in fine form and likes the hard courts better than his opponent. That should be enough in this one. Humbert in 2
Marin Cilic vs Joao Menezes
Anurag: The Brazilian has only played two matches since turning professional. The Croat starts his quest for the Olympic Gold as a clear favourite in the opening round match. Cilic in 2
Damian: Cilic’s form might be inconsistent but he should still easily clean up Menezes, who’s barely played on hard courts this year and has been struggling even on the Challenger Tour. Cilic in 2
Yesh: Marin Cilic is nowhere near his Grand Slam-winning level right now, but he has his opponent far outclassed in this one. The Croatian will roll. Cilic in 2
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