The field is totally packed this year at the ATP Astana Open, with current World #1 Carlos Alcaraz as well as the Super-Serb Novak Djokovic taking to the court. Grand Slam champion Daniil Medvedev, as well as Stefanos Tsitsipas will also be joining the action, and we should look forward to an entertaining week.
Zhang Zhizhen vs Aslan Karatsev
Head-to-head: First Meeting
Zhizhen Zhang, the current Chinese n#1 did well to come through the qualifying rounds. He has given some really good performances lately, qualifying for the US Open a month ago, where he lost a five setter in the first round. he has also recently won a challenger title, besides making two finals.
On the other side of the net, Aslan Karatsev is going through a poor run of form at the moment. He has just one win from his last nine matches, a sad case for someone who can literally outdo the best when at his peak. To his bad luck though, he has drawn good players very early on in the draw. Karatsev will be looking to get some momentum on the Asian hard courts, and should be able to do so.
Prediction: Karatsev in 2
Adrian Mannarino vs Stan Wawrinka
Head-to-head: Mannarino 1-0 Wawrinka
Adrian Mannarino, at the age of 34 years, just won his second ATP Tour-level title at the Winston-Salem ATP. After that triumph however, his performance has dropped down a little bit, as he has failed to make any mark at the Metz ATP or the Tel Aviv ATP he played last week. Stan Wawrinka, on the other hand, turned back the clock against Daniil Medvedev in their match at the Metz Open. It is ironic to see that, when firing, the Wawrinka backhand is sometimes still too hot to handle. The Swiss can pack a real punch with his single-hander. Going by current form, Wawrinka is the favorite, but his opponent is someone who will stick around till the very end, and will make him fight for the win.
Prediction: Wawrinka in 3
Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Roberto Bautista Agut
Head-to-head: Auger-Aliassime 3-1 Bautista Agut
For the last two months or so, Felix Auger-Aliassime has been somewhat off his game. His results haven’t been bad at all, but going by his standards, they have been below average. There is no doubt that he will bounce back though, and he will do that soon. On the other side, Roberto Bautista Agut is looking as strong as ever. It is sometimes evident that his age is catching up with him, but there’s this thing with Spanish veterans, you can never know what they will spring up. More so with Bautista Agut. He has shown time and time again, that he is never to be written off. Auger-Aliassime will be the favorite, but expect it to be a close encounter.
Prediction: Auger-Aliassime in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
