The US Open is now just over a week away from starting. The event in Winston-Salem is the final opportunity for ATP players to find form before the final Grand Slam of the year. The first day has many interesting matches to look forward to. 22-year-old home favorite Brandon Nakashima is one of those in action. We at LWOT also have a separate article for the other matches taking place in Winston-Salem- this includes Ilya Ivashka vs Zhizhen Zhang. Who do you think will advance to the next round?
ATP Winston-Salem Day 1 Predictions
Roman Safiullin vs Juan Manuel Cerundolo
Head-to-head: First meeting
Safiullin had a superb run to the quarterfinals at Wimbledon. But his first-round loss in Cincinnati on Monday to Nicolas Jarry was the first match he had played since then. Usually, such a sharp lack of match practice on hard courts would be concerning. But Safiullin should still come through this one. Cerundolo is talented but is a clay court specialist, with all 17 of his finals at Challenger and Futures level coming on the dirt. The Argentinian did get the great news this week that he is in the main draw of the US Open due to one of four withdrawals. However, that boost is unlikely to be enough to avoid defeat in Winston-Salem.
Prediction: Safiullin in 2
Alexandre Muller vs Benjamin Bonzi
Head-to-head: First meeting
Muller has a very dangerous and powerful game when it is firing on all cylinders. He showed that during his run to the final on the clay courts of Morocco in April. His form has been somewhat inconsistent since then though. His compatriot Bonzi has been struggling a lot more recently, losing seven of his last eight matches. However many of those were on grass, and Bonzi did show his ability by reaching two finals on hard courts in January and February of this year. This is not a straightforward match to call. But counterpunching and absorbing the power of Muller might be the matchup Bonzi needs to arrest his recent slump.
Prediction: Bonzi in 3
Radu Albot vs Daniel Elahi Galan
Head-to-head: First meeting
Albot is another player who recently received the good news of entering the main draw of the US Open due to a withdrawal. In general the Moldovan’s results this year indicate that he is not the player he once was. Despite that, he did get a surprise win in Washington against Marcos Giron, before losing to the same player in the qualifiers in Toronto the next week. Galan is one of the hardest players to predict on the ATP tour. He has suffered several first round losses in a mostly disappointing season, but also reached the fourth round of Wimbledon. It is impossible to know for sure which Galan will show up. On paper Albot’s lack of a big weapon could suit the Colmobian, and help him win in Winston-Salem, but in truth, this one is very hard to call.
Prediction: Galan in 3
Brandon Nakashima vs Jason Kubler
Head-to-head: First meeting
Nakashima desperately needs a run to gain some momentum. He is having a very rough year, but recently he has been getting so near in all his losses. Five of his last six defeats have all been in the final set, and all those deciding sets were close. This could be a good opportunity to stop his slide. Kubler is a solid competitor, winning 13 and losing 13 this season without reaching a final. His season has been better than Nakashima’s, but the American’s best tennis is better than the Australian’s if he can find it. Nothing is a guarantee with Nakashima currently, but this matchup represents a good chance to get a badly needed win in Winston-Salem.
Prediction: Nakashima in 3
Main Photo: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
