The top two seeds, Gael Monfils and Karen Khachanov, will join the action at the ATP Adelaide tournament on Day 4. The competition gets tough now, and we should be treated to some exciting tennis. Whom do you think will make it to the last eight?
ATP Adelaide Day 4 Predictions
Egor Gerasimov vs Gianluca Mager
Head-to-head: Gerasimov 1-1 Mager
Gianluca Mager fended off a dangerous-looking Francisco Cerundolo in a close match that lasted over two hours. His serve was looking good, and bailed him out on important points. Egor Gerasimov entered the draw as a qualifier, and made his presence felt in the first round itself. Gerasimov dismissed fifth seeded Marton Fucsovics in straight sets to book a second round berth. Gerasimov is currently looking in better shape than Mager, which was seen in his easy win over Fucsovics. He will be the narrow favorite here.
Prediction: Gerasimov in 3
Steve Johnson vs Karen Khachanov
Head-to-head: Johnson 0-1 Khachanov
Though he is not starting as the first seed, Khachanov is definitely the strongest player in the draw, and the first favorite for the title here in Adelaide. After following up a superb performance at Wimbledon with an Olympic Silver Medal, Khachanov hasn’t performed as per his caliber. He will be raring to start the new season with a bang. Steve Johnson defeated wild card entrant Alexsandar Vukic in a close match to advance to the second round. It was a great display of clutch play from Johnson as he saved two breakpoints in the decider, which effectively won him the match. Expect Khachanov to be too good for him, though.
Prediction: Khachanov in 2
Taro Daniel vs Tommy Paul
Head-to-head: Daniel 1-0 Paul
Taro Daniel defeated Lorenzo Musetti in his first round encounter, in a two and a half hour long match. Daniel served 12 aces, and didn’t even face a single break point in the match. His performance from challengers has translated to success on the main tour to some extent. Tommy Paul defeated Jiri Vesely in a three setter, overcoming the first round rustiness. Paul is coming into the tournament after a title run at the Stockholm Open. He will certainly be hoping for something good here too. Though for now, he has a pretty tough challenge in the form of Daniel. But I see him coming through after what he has achieved in the past year.
Prediction: Paul in 3
Gael Monfils vs Juan Manuel Cerundolo
Head-to-head: First Meeting
Juan Manuel Cerundolo defeated wild card Alex Bolt in straight sets to book a spot in the second round. He broke his opponent four times in the match. The young Argentine might cause a few problems for Monfils. Gael Monfils starts as the first seed here at the Adelaide Open, obviously making him one of the favorites. Towards the end of the season, he found immense momentum, making the quarterfinals at two hard court tournaments, and also a final at the Sofia Open. It’s hard to predict how far Monfils will go here, but I don’t see him losing in the second round.
Prediction: Monfils in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
