As the women’s event comes to a close in Seoul, the ATP Korea Open Tennis Championships opens its doors to some of the best male players in the world. Though the first few rounds have some lower-ranked players among them, it may not be as easy as one might think for higher-ranked players like Miomir Kecmanovic, Borna Coric, and Jaume Munar. We’ve made some predictions for the first four matches on day 1.
ATP Seoul Day 1 Predictions
Kaichi Uchida vs Seong-chan Hong
Head-to-head: First meeting (Uchida 2-0 Hong below Tour level)
This is a match between two fairly low-ranked players with the opportunity to play in a tournament close to home so it’s tough to say who comes out striking the ball better with nerves afoot. Kaichi Uchida has beaten Seong-chan Hong both times they’ve played in lower-level matches plus he’s the far more accomplished of the pair. Add the fact Hong struggled in his Davis Cup matches against quality opponents and Uchida just seems the more reliable of the two picks. It could be close with both players being given a golden opportunity but we’ve got to back the higher-ranked player.
Prediction: Uchida in 3
Jaume Munar vs Yosuke Watanuki
Head-to-head: Watanuki 1-0 Munar
Is Jaume Munar in a little bit of a rut? Three losses on the spin will have dented his confidence on this surface. His game is susceptible to being hit through on a hard-court especially against players with plenty of firepower with nothing to lose.
Yosuke Watanuki actually defeated Munar last time they played, in Winston-Salem. His redline isn’t terrifying but it was enough that day to find a way past Munar’s wall. It could well be enough again for Watanuki especially taken into consideration he’s playing closer to home.
Prediction: Watanuki in 3
Miomir Kecmanovic vs Aleksandar Kovacevic
Head-to-head: First meeting.
Sometimes Miomir Kecmanovic is accused of having quite a defensive game style modelled around the more complacent side of his compatriot Novak Djokovic’s game. Of course that can still be very effective but he was at his very best when he was playing front-foot tennis at the start of the year playing his second shot after the serve with ferocious intent.
No, he hasn’t really rekindled that form over the last few months but his game is still extremely tough to break down even when he’s playing a little too safe. Aleksandar Kovacevic has had some decent wins recently but Kecmanovic is likely to be too difficult to come through regardless of what mood the Serb is in.
Prediction: Kecmanovic in 2
Borna Coric vs Radu Albot
Head-to-head: First meeting.
A win at any level can do wonders for a player’s game. Fresh off a title at Challenger level in Istanbul, Radu Albot will be feeling great. He’s had a smattering of big wins over the course of his career and could absolutely cause Borna Coric some problems here.
It’s not enough to back the upset, though. Coric’s last couple of losses were against players with something special in their game (Jenson Brooksby and Matteo Berrettini). It still seems likely his Cincinnati Masters run wasn’t a complete flash in the pan and that his level matches his top-30 ranking. We’ll give Albot a set based on confidence alone but Coric should get through.
Prediction: Coric in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
