We have a super six pack of main draw matches to open play on the clay of ATP Munich as Bavaria’s premier tennis event gets underway. Germany’s own Philipp Kohlschreiber and Daniel Altmaier face off, while Holger Rune vs Jiri Lehecka is an engaging matchup on day 1 as well. Here is your look at all the action.
Miomir Kecmanovic vs Max Hans Rehberg
A quarterfinalist in Belgrade, Miomir Kecmanovic put up a fight against Novak Djokovic but went down in three sets. Kecmanovic has been in fantastic form and is going under the radar right now. 19-8 on the season, with quarterfinals in Indian Wells and Miami (and Santiago and Rio on clay earlier this year). Kecmanovic has moved safely into the top 50 and is hungry for more. The 18 year old Rehberg is making his ATP main draw debut in this match. He would love to make to this level on merit, but is likely still some time off from making a big impact on tour. Kecmanovic should be happy to get this start. Kecmanovic in 2
Norbert Gombos vs Alex Molcan
Molcan won their only meeting, Slovakia’s two best players face off on clay here. Molcan was a finalist in Marrakech, Gombos has a challenger final this year but has struggled to make an impact on the ATP Tour. Molcan should prefer this surface and is playing a higher caliber of tennis. Molcan in 2
Philipp Kohlschreiber vs Daniel Altmaier
Altmaier had a challenger final last month but is just 2-9 at the ATP Tour level this year. The veteran Kohlschreiber has not been a factor at ATP level for a little while now and is approaching retirement. Kohlschreiber is a wily player, even while being more than 100 spots off his career best ranking. Altmaier should be the higher energy player but his record on clay leaves something to be desired. I’ll go with Kohlschreiber on clay. Kohlschreiber in 3
Yoshihito Nishioka vs Emil Ruusuvuori
With three wins in Monte Carlo and two in Barcelona, Finland’s Ruusuvuori is showing some prowess on clay that many wouldn’t have expected. Nishioka has had a respectable season but it’s largely been wins on hard courts and he struggles on clay. Ruusuvori’s recent form on clay suggests he could go as far as winning this title, he should start off with a win. Ruusuvuori in 2
Jiri Lehecka vs Holger Rune
Lehecka won three matches in Belgrade, two in Monte Carlo, and was a semifinalist in Rotterdam. The Czech has been excellent this season and is at a career high ranking in the top 100. He drew the short straw here though, as Rune is also at a career high ranking and will be in the top 70 soon. Rune qualified in Monte Carlo and won a challenger on clay prior to that. Given the surface, Rune should be a small favorite but this should be a really high quality match. Lehecka won their only meeting, Rune should get him back this time. Rune in 3
Maxime Cressy vs Dan Evans
Cressy won both matches against Evans, he has almost no experience or record to speak of on clay though and his serve and volley game is poorly suited for the surface. Evans has slipped from his career best ranking, he’s also extremely poor on clay winning just a third of his matches on the surface in his career. Compared to the Lehecka vs Rune match, this will probably not be the highest quality contest on this surface, Evans has more experience and should be able to find a way to win though. Evans in 3
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