ATP 500 event in Beijing kicks off with some enticing round one matches. Here we have a look at the matches and some predictions.
ATP Beijing Day 1 Predictions
Ugo Humbert vs Lorenzo Sonego
Head-to-head: Sonego 2-1 Humbert
Ugo Humbert is the higher-ranked player, but Lorenzo Sonego leads the head-to-head leading 2-1. In the fourth pair’s meeting on the ATP Tour, Humbert will be looking to even up the score. This won’t be an easy task as the Italian already seems to have the number of the Frenchman, though Sonego may be a little short of match practice having been out of action since losing in the second round at the US Open.
Prediction: Sonego in 2
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Lloyd Harris vs Tomas Etcheverry
Head-to-head: first meeting
Lloyd Harris has had a good start in China. Having made the second round in Zhuhai, the South African started his week in the qualifying at the ATP Beijing Open, easing through with comfortable wins over fifth seed Daniel Altmaier and former-world #17 Cristian Garinto make the main draw. But Tomas Martin Etcheverry has had an excellent season, and is in good form. He was fifth seed in Zhuhai and made the quarterfinals. This might be a tough ask for Harris to get by the Argentine
Prediction: Etcheverry in 2
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Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs Yi Zhou
Head-to-head: first meeting
Chinese Wildcard Yi Zhou will want to cause a stir in his home country. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina will not be an easy opponent though. The Spaniard should have the better of the Chinese player.
Prediction: Davidovich Fokina in 2
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Matteo Arnaldi Vs. J.J.Wolf
Head-to-head: first meeting
An interesting match up this one. Matteo Arnaldi, the Italian qualifier, against J.J Wolf, the American qualifier. Only a couple of places separate them in the rankings and both played well to get into the main draw. This is a match that should be high quality as both aim for the second round, but expect Wolf to just about have the edge.
Prediction: Wolf in 3
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Alex de Minaur vs Andy Murray
Head-to-head: de Minaur 4-0 Murray
An unfortunate draw Andy Murray, who hasn’t had success against Alex de Minaur, losing all four of their previous matches. The Briton is making his way back up the rankings after another impressive and now sits in the top 40, will want to stop the rot against the Australian, but de Minaur will be confident that he will once again have the measure of Murray. Murray has struggled of late against top players, and though will not want a first-round exit here, de Minaur might just prove too strong.
Prediction: de Minaur in 3
Main photo credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
