Day 3 at the ATP Atlanta Open will see four round of 16 matches, with #1 seed Milos Raonic making his return to the tour after four months out of action (since the Miami Masters) and several American players in action.
ATP Atlanta Day 3 Predictions
Peter Gojowczyk vs Jordan Thompson
Head-to-head: Gojowczyk 1-1 Thompson
This is on paper the most even match of the day, one which genuinely go either way. Thompson looked like he had a good chance to win a first career title in the past two weeks, but he faltered at crucial junctures on both occasions; Gojowczyk has also been having some disappointing results. Thompson does seem to be in the best form of his career, however, and should be a very slight favorite here.
Prediction: Thompson in 3
Bjorn Fratangelo vs Reilly Opelka
Head-to-head: Opelka 1-0 Fratangelo
Opelka is the much higher ranked player and the favorite to win, but the fact that he’s arguably the best server on tour (up there with John Isner) but also arguably the worst returner makes him extremely prone to close matches, tiebreaks, and upsets, no matter the opponent. Fratangelo will almost surely make it close enough to have a chance, but ultimately Opelka’s huge serving should see him through.
Prediction: Opelka in 3
Milos Raonic vs Brandon Nakashima
Head-to-head: first meeting
The Canadian is making his return to the tour after a 4-month absence, and it’s unclear just how ready he is to compete physically. Nakashima, however, is clearly spent after his career best week in Los Cabos and barely made it past an opponent ranked outside the top 1000 in the first round. Raonic should prevail here without many issues.
Prediction: Raonic in 2
Taylor Fritz vs Steve Johnson
Head-to-head: Fritz 4-4 Johnson
This is becoming a bit of a classic; these two faced each other at Wimbledon, last week at Los Cabos, and now again in Atlanta. Both previous meetings this year were won by the younger American, a tough 5-setter at Wimbledon and a comfortable straight sets win at Los Cabos. These results confirm the fact that Fritz is on the ascent while Johnson’s best days are most likely behind him; Fritz is once again the clear favorite to notch a third straight win in one month over his countryman.
Prediction: Fritz in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
