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. Eight Round 1 matches will take place on Day 2 in Atlanta, including six-time champion John Isner taking on Dominik Koepfer. 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 2 Predictions
Christopher Eubanks vs Andres Martin
Head-to-Head: first meeting
No. 5 seed Christopher Eubanks comes to Atlanta off of his run to the Wimbledon quarterfinals. Now ranked as the No. 31 player in the world, the 27-year-old has the confidence and tools to have a strong summer hard-court showing. He squares off against wildcard Andres Martin in Round 1. The 22-year-old is currently ranked No. 713 in the world and has won just three matches in all competitions this year. He does not have the firepower to hang with the Eubanks serve and forehand.
Prediction: Eubanks in 3
Yibing Wu vs Corentin Moutet
Head-to-Head: Wu 1-1 Moutet
Yibing Wu and Corentin Moutet square off in Atlanta, looking to break their 1-1 head-to-head record. Both men have struggled with form lately and could use a few wins this week. Wu struggled through the clay and grass seasons as he prefers hard courts. The 23-year-old Chinese has blistering strokes off both wings and will be able to puncture the Frenchman. That said, Moutet’s variety and ability to close space will be challenging for Wu to handle. In what should be a very back-and-forth match, I give a slight edge to Wu.
Prediction: Wu in 3
Brandon Nakashima vs Max Purcell
Head-to-Head: Nakashima 1-0 Purcell
Brandon Nakashima comes to Atlanta looking to get back on track after posting a 1-4 record on the grass this year. At this event last season, he reached the quarters. Nakashima favors hard courts as his best surface. Max Purcell has reached six Challenger finals this season but has translated that to only two tour-level victories. Purcell is a solid player, but playing Nakashima on this surface did not bode well for him in the past. The American will dictate most points in this match and take it in straight sets.
Prediction: Nakashima in 2
John Isner vs Dominik Koepfer
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Six-time Atlanta Open Champion John Isner gets his 2023 tournament started against Dominik Koepfer. It will be the first meeting between the two. After not playing much tennis over the last three months, Isner reached the semifinals in Newport last week. His serve will always be a difference maker and will test the 29-year-old German. Koepfer has dominated at the Challenger level this season but has yet to win a tour-level match. I believe that changes on Tuesday, as I see his movement and rally tolerance being the difference in this match.
Prediction: Koepfer in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane – USA TODAY Sports
