The 2022 tennis season is underway in Australia with The ATP Cup, Adelaide Open, and Melbourne Open serving as crucial warm up tournaments for the Australian Open. The world currently is trying to combat the new Covid-19 variant and the coming few months will give us more clarity. Hopefully, tennis can go on uninterrupted with as much crowd as safely possible.
We turn our attention to the ATP Melbourne Summer Set 2022. The draw is headlined by 20 time Grand Slam champ Rafael Nadal. Accompanying him is 3 time Grand Slam champ Andy Murray, Nick Kyrgios, Reilly Opelka and Grigor Dimitrov. The next few days promises to be full of high octane tennis action and as ever, we at LWOT bring you previews and predictions every day.
Day 1 sees five first round matches scheduled, we predict them for you.
ATP Melbourne Day 1 Predictions
Peter Gojowczyk vs Mackenzie McDonald
Head to head – First Meeting
Mackenzie McDonald plays extremely well on hard courts and the American seems to enjoy playing in Australia. Not the tallest of players on tour, McDonald compensates for that by taking the ball extremely early and is super speedy around the court. Peter Gojowczyk is a consistent baseliner but lacks the firepower you need to blow away a player like McDonald. Expect the American to make a solid start to the week and progress ahead.
Prediction: McDonald in 2
Tallon Griekspoor vs Dominik Koepfer
Head to head – First Meeting
This should be an interesting matchup. Dominik Koepfer had a decent 2021 season, especially the clay court swing and his never give up attitude was extremely enthralling to watch. Tallon Griekspoor certainly possesses the talent and power to dominate from the baseline but can he be as consistent as the German is the question. Expect the match to go the distance with Koepfer edging this match on the back of his consistency and grit.
Prediction: Koepfer in 3
Adrian Mannarino vs Botic van de Zandschulp
Head to head – First Meeting
Adrian Mannarino would’ve liked an easier first round match. Botic van de Zandschulp is a clean striker of the ball and the Dutchman possesses a very easy on the eye game. There are no real weaknesses to van de Zandschulp’s game and that would frustrate Mannarino. The Frenchman plays a very flat groundstroke game and while that may unsettle the Dutchman initially, van de Zandschulp should find his range and dominate from the baseline.
Prediction: van de Zandschulp in 3
Nick Kyrgios vs Alex Molcan
Head to head – First Meeting
Nick Kyrgios takes to the court for the first time since Laver Cup end of September last year. He takes on Alex Molcan, who will surely feel the brunt of Kyrgios’ power as the Aussie is always extra motivated to play on his home soil. Kyrgios is a danger floater in the draw and even though his ranking stands at 93, on his day the Aussie can beat anyone. Expect Kyrgios to make a strong start to the week.
Prediction: Kyrgios in 2
Andy Murray vs Facundo Bagnis
Head to head – First Meeting
Facundo Bagnis would’ve certainly liked to face another player in his first match of 2022. Andy Murray looked in decent touch in the Mubadala warm up, beating Rafael Nadal en route to the final. The 3 time Grand Slam champ plays his best on hard courts and Bagnis isn’t a player who can out manoeuvre the Brit. Expect Murray to be on his game and his serve should set him up several free points which can’t be said for the Argentine.
Prediction: Murray in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
