We wrap up the second round of the Tokyo Olympics Men’s Singles tournament on Day 4. Eight more men will lock up their spots in the last 16. Who do you think will move on? Our writers share their thoughts. Predicting this set of matches is Jim Smith, Damian Kust, and Yesh Ginsburg. We also predict the day’s other four matches in a separate article.
Tokyo Olympics Day 4 Men’s Predictions
Diego Schwartzman vs Tomas Machac
Yesh:
Schwartzman thrives in these conditions and the hard courts won’t bother him. The Argentine is in solid enough form to dismiss anything that Machac can throw at him.
Prediction: Schwartzman in 2
Damian:
It’s a comfortable draw for the Argentinian, although Machac’s firepower doesn’t have to be that easy to face. The heavy conditions really suit Schwartzman though and they will help him neutralize the threats.
Prediction: Schwartzman in 2
Jim:
Schwartzman may have beaten Juan Pablo Varillas in straight sets in the first round, but it was a more competitive match than it looked like. Still, a win is a win and Schwartzman will be the heavy favourite to advance one again. Machac could give him some trouble, but Schwartzman’s consistency should see him past the Czech.
Prediction: Schwartzman in 3
James Duckworth vs Karen Khachanov
Yesh:
Khachanov is in fine form and looks to make a statement at these games. Don’t underestimate him. Duckworth, meanwhile, only remains in the tournament due to a fortunate draw.
Prediction: Khachanov in 2
Damian:
The match against Yoshihito Nishioka showed us two different versions of Khachanov–one of which will struggle in this match, but the other one will dominate it. He ended that match on a positive note, though, and should carry it over to the second round.
Prediction: Khachanov in 2
Jim:
Duckworth scraped past Lukas Klein by the barest of margins, edging out the Slovakian in a third-set tiebreak. That does not inspire much faith in his chances against Khachanov, who is ranked over 200 places above Klein and in fine form.
Prediction: Khachanov in 2
Ugo Humbert vs Miomir Kecmanovic
Yesh:
Kecmanovic has a tendency to be inconsistent, and Humbert is finally finding a bit of consistency. That spells a match that could theoretically go either way, but the Frenchman is the more likely winner.
Prediction: Humbert in 3
Damian:
This is shaping up to be an interesting rivalry. Kecmanovic led the head-to-head 3-0 before Humbert finally got two on the board, including one in Mallorca this year. Tough call, perhaps the conditions suit the Serbian a bit better and he impressively fended off a potentially tricky opponent in his opener.
Prediction: Kecmanovic in 3
Jim:
Kecmanovic has found some form of late after a miserable period earlier in the summer, but Humbert is the superior player. He has also won their last two meetings, including earlier this year in Mallorca.
Prediction: Humbert in 3
Frances Tiafoe vs Stefanos Tsitsipas
Yesh:
The real question of this match is which Tsitsipas will show up. He just hasn’t been the same since falling to Djokovic in the French Open final (and losing his grandmother). I haven’t seen anything to indicate that his current Roland Garros hangover is ending. The American should pull an upset.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 3
Damian:
Tsitsipas sort of lost the plot after Roland Garros, including a loss at Wimbledon to Tiafoe. Solving these issues must be only a matter of time, but the Greek is most certainly on upset alert here. He’s mentally strong though; I think he can handle it.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 3
Jim:
Facing Tiafoe again just weeks after the American dumped him out of Wimbledon in the first round looks less than ideal for Tsitsipas. The Greek’s confidence understandably appears to have been knocked after his failure to close out Novak Djokovic in the French Open final, and Tiafoe has been playing well enough of late to capitalize on any missteps Tsitsipas might make.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
