The ATP Sydney Tennis Classic rolls on and the quality of the matches continues to climb. On Day 3, there are many high-ranked players facing off against one another–we have predictions for all of them, two articles covering four matches apiece, including tenacious Brit Dan Evans vs Pedro Martinez and David Goffin’s continued comeback vs Denis Kudla. The second article looks at Andy Murray vs Nikoloz Basilashvili, among other matches.
ATP Sydney Tennis Classic Day 3 Predictions
Reilly Opelka vs Jordan Thompson
H2H: Opelka 0-0 Thompson
After playing insanely well at the Canadian Masters and the US Open, Reilly Opelka has quietly lost six of his last seven matches. There’s no reason for him to panic – big servers can go on streaks of wins or losses but their level will remain perpetual, their serve always there to rely on to scrape a win amidst several losses.
I therefore don’t really think Opelka is suffering a dip in form so Jordan Thompson will have his work cut out for him. They have actually played once before on grass but it was in a Challenger in 2017 so we’ll discount that result from our considered variables. Thompson has a decent 7-10 record against players over 6 ft 4 in on hard-courts so it won’t be easy but I’m expecting Opelka to edge it.
Prediction: Opelka in 3
Fabio Fognini vs Brandon Nakashima
H2H: Fognini 0-1 Nakashima
We all know how dangerous Fabio Fognini can be, any time, any where, any place. His form has definitely dipped of late but it’s almost impossible to predict how well he will play on the day.
Though we have that :X-factor” to take into account in our prediction, I don’t think it will be enough to overthrow Brandon Nakashima. I highly rate the American in these conditions, possessing a very strong backhand and serve that are perfect for outmanoeuvring his opponents on a hard-court. Like their last meeting in San Diego, Fognini will light it up for a while but the steadier of the two will prevail.
Prediction: Nakashima in 3
David Goffin vs Denis Kudla
H2H: Goffin 0-0 Kudla
David Goffin’s comeback from a knee injury continues in Sydney. Having won his first match against Facundo Bagnis, Goffin was originally set to play Delbonis or Ramos-Vinolas – the Spaniard dropped out however so Goffin is now due to play lucky loser Denis Kudla.
Unfortunately, Kudla is probably a tougher prospect in Sydney than the two clay-courters, especially if Goffin is struggling with his movement. Ordinarily, I’d say Goffin would beat Kudla in his sleep, a very good match up for the Belgian. Struggling in any way, however… I’m not so sure.
Prediction: Kudla in 3
Dan Evans vs Pedro Martinez
H2H: Evans 0-0 Martinez
As expected, though it finished in straight sets, there wasn’t much in it between Pedro Martinez and Alexei Popyrin in the first-round. Martinez prevailed as the ever-so-slightly more solid of the pair and will likely be a tough player to beat this week.
Speaking of tough players to beat, however, Dan Evans is one of the best in the business at forcing his opponent to outplay him. His wicked slice keeps the ball incredibly low, giving his opponent very little to work with – unless Martinez can keep the points short, expect things to fall Evans’ way time and time again. Oh, did I mention Dan Evans won three singles matches and two doubles matches at the ATP Cup, dropping one set along the way? The Brit is in red-hot form and I doubt Martinez has the firepower to outhit him.
Prediction: Evans in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
