The Winston-Salem Open in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is the final lead-up event to the US Open. Established in 2011, this 250-level event brings in some younger, talented players looking to make noise at an ATP hardcourt event. Day 3 of the Winston-Salem Open is loaded with second-round matches, including No. 3 seed Sebastian Korda taking on Benjamin Bonzi. We at LWOT have the preview and prediction for that match and all other happenings around the grounds of Winston-Salem – in two separate articles, featuring Borna Coric vs Rinky Hijikata and Arthur Fils vs Brandon Nakashima. But who will advance?
ATP Winston-Salem Day 3 Predictions
Marcos Giron vs Michael Mmoh
Head-to-Head: Giron 1-2 Mmoh
American compatriots Marcos Giron and Michael Mmoh square off with a spot on the line in the Winston-Salem third round. Mmoh is having a career year and has spent much of the season ranked inside the top 100. He relies on his serve and first-strike tennis to power through his opponents. Giron will look to knot up their head-to-head on Tuesday. The No. 13 seed had a career year in Canada, reaching the Round of 16 at a Masters event for the first time. Giron is playing with solid form and should be able to outlast Mmoh with his baseline consistency.
Prediction: Giron in 3
Sebastian Ofner vs Alex Michelsen
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Sebastian Ofner squares off against 18-year-old American Wildcard Alex Michelsen in a solid second-round encounter. Michelsen recently announced he would bypass college to pursue professional tennis after winning the Chicago Challenger and reaching the Newport final in back-to-back weeks in July. He has a complete game with the ability to beat his opponents off both wings. Ofner has won just one ATP hardcourt match in his career. I see Michelsen being able to push Ofner around the court with power and taking this match in three sets.
Prediction: Michelsen in 3
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Emil Ruusuvuori vs Max Purcell
Head-to-Head: Ruusuvuori 2-0 Purcell
Emiil Ruusuvuori and Max Purcell will square off in what is shaping up to be a terrific second-round match in Winston-Salem. Ruusuvuori got the better of Purcell in a tight four-setter earlier this year in Melbourne. However, Purcell has played the best tennis of his career over the last few weeks. He is 9-2 in his previous 11 matches, including a run to the Cincinnati quarterfinals that vaulted him into the world’s top 50. Purcell is terrific at the net and brings a solid variety to the court. He will look to get to the net early and often against Ruusuvuori. The Fin took down Andrey Rubelv last week and has played solid hardcourt tennis all season. This has the makings of a terrific match, but I give the slight edge to Ruusuvuori and his ability to control the match from the baseline.
Prediction: Ruusuvuori in 3
Sebastian Korda vs Benjamin Bonzi
Head-to-Head: Korda 2-0 Bonzi
No. 3 seed Sebastian Korda needs a solid week to fine-tune his game ahead of the final Slam of the season. The 23-year-old American is just 1-5 in his last six matches and has played only three hardcourt events since January. He takes on Benjamin Bonzi in Round 2 of the Winston-Salem Open. The Frenchman dispatched Alexandre Muller in straight sets in Round 1 but comes into this match having won just two matches since mid-April. Korda should be able to control this match from the baseline, using his power of both wings to push Bonzi around the court.
Prediction: Korda in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – USA TODAY Sports
