First-round action begins on Monday at the ATP Rothesay International in Eastbourne. The stars of men’s tennis will look to refine their games one last time before Wimbledon. Seven matches are in store on Day 1. We look at the rest of the day’s matches in a separate article. So who do you think will advance?
ATP Eastbourne Day 1 Predictions
Luca Van Assche vs George Loffhagen
Head-to-head: first meeting
It’s a maiden ATP appearance for George Loffhagen. The 22-year-old Brin received a wild card and his debut will generate plenty of excitement and expectation. Can he follow in the footsteps of some of his peers and earn his first ATP win on home soil? A look at his run at the Nottingham Challenger where he made the quarters means that he cannot be taken lightly. But the added pressure might overwhelm Loffhagen. Van Assche saw off Borna Gojo in qualifying for this event, so he’ll be the one bubbling with confidence.
Prediction: Van Assche in 2
Emil Ruusuvuori vs Gregoire Barrere
Head-to-head: Ruusuvuori 1-1 Barrere
Emil Ruusuvori enjoyed a fine run in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, reaching the last four and only losing to eventual champion Tallon Griekspoor. His second tournament appearance on grass didn’t go as planned. He was outplayed by Grigor Dimitrov in the opening round at Queen’s. Gregoire Barrere, meanwhile, gave Stefanos Tsitsipas a huge scare in Halle and nearly came away with a maiden Top-10 win. His solitary win on grass came in Stuttgart where he defeated the out-of-form Oscar Otte. Ruusuvori is the heavier hitter and extremely explosive in his offense and will ride on his recent momentum.
Prediction: Ruusuvuori in 3
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Miomir Kecmanovic vs Yibing Wu
Head-to-head: Kecmanovic 1-0 Wu
Miomir Kecmanobvic has been a massive letdown in recent months. And there is a reasonable chance he might head to Wimbledon without a single win at any of the tuneup tournaments. He looked bereft of ideas in his defeat to Milos Raonic in Den Bosch. And at Queen’s, he drew the short straw of facing British No. 1 Cameron Norrie straight out of the gate. It’s now one win in his last eight matches which is such a grim record heading to a grand slam tournament. Yibing Wu has picked one win in the tournaments he has played on grass. But beating an off-color Nick Kyrgios is not a precise indicator of his competence on grass. Kecmanovic desperately needs to win to build belief back into his game, and I feel he’ll get it.
Prediction: Kecmanovic in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
