As the Asian swing kicks into gear we take a look at Day 1 of the ATP 250 Zhuhai. With three main draw matches and one very exciting final qualifying round, ATP Zhuhai is off to a great start.
ATP Zhuhai Day 1 Predictions
Yoshihito Nishioka vs Terence Atmane
Head to Head 0-0
A first time meeting between the Japanese and Frenchman. Nishioka is the eighth seed and will be the favorite. Don’t discount Atmane though, who won last week’s Challenger event in Guangzhou, his second Challenger title in the country in the same month. A step up from the lower tier, this could be a bit overwhelming for Atmane but he will relish the chance.
Prediction: Nishioka in 3
Zhe Li vs Dalibor Svrcina
Head to head 0-0
Wild Ccrd Chinese player Zhe Li and Czech Dalibor Svrcina are both used to the lower tiers of the circuit. Li has frequented the ITF level this season and was best known on the futures circuit where most of his titles have come. Svrcina hasn’t won a title yet, but has been close in several challenger finals. An interesting match up between a home player who will have the crowd support, and the higher ranked more experienced player.
Prediction: Svrcina in 2
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Alex Bolt vs Antoine Bellier
Head to Head 0-0 (singles)
A main draw place is at stake in this final qualifying round match. Bolt and Bellier played against each other last week in the doubles semi final at Guangzhou. The Swiss went on to claim the doubles title, so has a feel for the courts over here. Bolt will want to avenge that loss and make the singles main draw at the expense of the seeded player – Bolt was top seed at the doubles, so there will be an extra incentive for the Australian.
Prediction Bolt in 2
Lloyd Harris vs Jiri Vesely
Head to Head 0-0
The first meeting on Tour between the South African and Czech. Both did OK at the US Open but didn’t make the second week. Harris came up against Carlos Alcaraz in the second round and lost in straight sets. The South African did force a tiebreak in the third though. Vesely defeated 2oth seed Francisco Cerúndolo in the second round in Flushing Meadows after a thrilling five set match. He was unlucky not to carry that performance forward into the third.
Prediction: Vesely in 3
Main Photo Credit: Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun/USAToday Sports
