Day 2 at the ATP Winston-Salem Open will feature six first-round matches. Among those taking center stage is the 2020 US Open champion Dominic Thiem. Who do you think will advance?
ATP Winston-Salem Day 2 Predictions
Mikael Ymer vs Federico Coria
Head-to-head: first meeting
Mikael Ymer showed glimpses of his true potential in Washington. After surviving the shackles of Andy Murray in that thrilling opening round, Ymer’s level went up a notch as he beat Karatsev, Ruusuvuori, and Sebastian Korda all in three sets. But by the time he reached the semifinals, he had very little left in the tank. A straight-set defeat to Nick Kyrgios meant that he is still waiting for his first final of 2022. Ymer will now turn his attention to ATP Winston-Salem Open – the scene of his first and thus far only ATP final which he attained last year. He has a generous first-round match against Federico Coria. The Argentine is a wily competitor on clay but should be harmless for the in-form Ymer on a hard court.
Prediction: Ymer in 2
Tomas Martin Etcheverry vs Kyle Edmund
Head-to-head: first meeting
Kyle Edmund has made an encouraging return to tennis after a nearly two-year injury layoff. He still has a lot of ground to make up if he is to return to the upper echelons of men’s tennis. Edmund says his focus is on his physical well-being while playing matches rather than winning them straightaway. That sounds like a massive opportunity for Tomas Martin Etcheverry to take advantage of. The Argentine has been in fine fettle on the ATP Challenger Tour, winning 31 out of 42 matches. Etcheverry should secure a rare win on hard courts.
Prediction: Etcheverry in 3
Thanasi Kokkinakis vs James Duckworth
Head-to-head: Duckworth 2-0 Kokkinakis
Duckworth was ranked higher than Kokkinakis at the turn of the year. But the roles have reversed as Duckworth was forced to undergo the ninth surgery of his career in February. His return to action has been tedious, to say the least. The Aussie has won just three matches from ten tournaments and was beaten in the qualifying rounds in Montreal by a player ranked outside the Top 500. Kokkinakis, meanwhile, has enjoyed a resurgent year on the ATP Tour in both singles and doubles. If Kokkinakis can hit his spots consistently on serve, this match rests firmly on his racket.
Prediction: Kokkinakis in 2
Richard Gasquet vs Lorenzo Musetti
Head-to-head: First meeting
This pair has never met before, and their careers are heading in different directions. Musetti is a potential rising star, but Gasquet is in the twilight of his career. However, the Frenchman is still capable of greatness and is playing better than the Italian at the moment.
Prediction: Gasquet in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
