It promises to be an intriguing first day of the ATP Queen’s Club Championships. Not only will Monday mark the season’s grass court debut for many of the tournament’s top players, but the clash of competing styles promises some fascinating tennis. We predict all of the day’s matches, including some in a separate article. Here are some of the highlights to look forward to on Monday:
ATP Queen’s Club Day 1 Predictions
Reilly Opelka vs Alex de Minaur
Head-to-head: de Minaur 4-0 Opelka
Are there two players who are more different in men’s tennis? On one side we have the self-styled “servebot” Opelka, a giant known for his thundering power and sometimes criticized (perhaps unfairly) for the limitations of his game. On the other, we have “The Demon” de Minaur, famous for his lightning speed around court but undone sometimes by a lack of power. If this is a David v Goliath clash, it’s David who has taken all the glory so far, as their 4-0 head to head shows. Crucially though, none of those meetings have been on grass. A couple of other pointers too. First, the Australian was poor in his defeat to Adrian Mannarino in Holland last week. Second, On an opening-day court, Opelka’s crushing serve – already his major weapon – will be very hard to stop. This could be the day the streak is broken.
Prediction: Opelka in 3
Lorenzo Musetti vs Alexander Bublik
Head-to-head: First meeting
There is no doubt that this has the potential to be game of the day. Two of the most watchable players on tour, both men can exhilarate and exasperate in equal measure. However, with his extra variety and sheer power, it’s Bublik’s game that really should translate better on to grass. Also in the Kazakh’s favor is his opponent’s lack of experience on grass. Musetti has yet to register a tour-level win on grass and frankly, his season as a whole has been disappointing so far. Of course, Bublik is capable of beating himself on any given day, but it’s unlikely to be here.
Prediction: Bublik in 2
Grigor Dimitrov vs Cameron Norrie
Head-to-head: Norrie 2-0 Dimitrov
A nightmare draw for both players, who must have both come here with high expectations of taking the trophy. How is this a first rounder? Despite his ranking of #21, Dimitrov is not among the eight seeds for this tournament. He has his own lack of consistency for that. The 2014 champion continues to be something of an enigma on a tennis court, glorious one match and dismal the next. It’s hard to avoid the feeling that it is his level that will determine the outcome here. If he plays near his best, he should overcome the steady but unspectacular Norrie. But if his level drops, Norrie – who himself made the final here last year – will be the clear favourite. The fact that this is the first match on grass for both men this year will likely favour the Briton too.
Prediction: Norrie in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
