The ATP Tour transitions to its North American hardcourt summer swing with a 250 event in Atlanta. The Atlanta Open features a ton of top competitors, including Taylor Fritz, Alex de Minaur, and Chris Eubanks, among others. Americans have dominated this event, winning nine of the last 12 editions. On Day 1, Gael Monfils returns to the tour and matches up against Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis. We at LWOT have the preview and prediction for that match and all other happenings around the grounds of the Atlanta Open. But who will advance?
ATP Atlanta Day 1 Predictions
James Duckworth vs Lloyd Harris
Head-to-Head: first meeting
31-year-old Aussie James Duckworth squares off against Lloyd Harris for the first time. Duckworth has had great success on the Challenger Tour this season but has yet to translate that to an ATP event. Harris has dealt with the injury bug over the last 14 months and is just 4-6 this season. Three of those wins came a few weeks back in Mallorca. The 26-year-old South African reached a career-high ranking of No. 31 less than two years ago and has the tools to vault even higher. He will have to work hard to get by Duckworth, who prides himself on defending out of the corners. Ultimately, I see Harris’s power being the difference in this match.
Prediction: Harris in 3
Aleksandar Vukic vs Ethan Quinn
Head-to-Head: first meeting
27-year-old Aleksandar Vukic is up to a career-high ranking of No. 83 during a solid season for the Aussie. Vukic is just 3-8 in tour-level matches this season but has reached three Challenger finals. He plays a solid style of tennis with consistent baseline strokes off both wings. Vukic will square off against 19-year-old American Ethan Quinn. Quinn won the 2023 NCAA Singles Championship in May and is testing his luck at the professional level this summer. He holds a 10-4 record in all competitions and picked up his first tour-level win in Newport last week. Quinn blasts his forehand, and if he can avoid a high number of unforced errors, he has the tools to push Vukic off the court. This should be a back-and-forth encounter, but I give a slight edge to Vukic and his experience.
Prediction: Vukic in 3
JJ Wolf vs Jason Jung
Head-to-Head: Wolf 1-0 Jung
No. 8 seed JJ Wolf comes to Atlanta looking to continue his career year. The 24-year-old American plays well on all surfaces and has a flair for the dramatic, making him a must-watch for tennis fans. He squares off against qualifier Jason Jung in the first round in Atlanta. The 34-year-old has had success on the ITF and Challenger level but is just 10-22 in his tour-level career. Wolf has the tools to puncture Jung’s game from the baseline. Look for the American to be aggressive early and control most points.
Prediction: Wolf in 2
Gael Monfils vs Thanasi Kokkinakis
Head-to-Head: Monfils 1-0 Kokkinakis
Former World No. 6 Gael Monfils has dropped outside the top 300 after playing very few matches this season. He is just 1-5 at the tour level in 2023 and has struggled to make any headway in the events he has competed in. Monfils squares off against Thanasi Kokkinakis in the first round in Atlanta. The 27-year-old Aussie has had an up-and-down season but looks to get back on track on his favorite surface. Monfils won their only previous encounter 18 months ago on the hard courts of Adelaide. Kokkinakis will look to control the pace of play with his massive serve, but when rallies last more than five shots, the advantage shifts to the Frenchman. This will be a very tight battle, but I give the slight edge to Monfils and his creativity.
Prediction: Monfils in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane – USA TODAY Sports
