The first edition of the ATP 250 event in Hong Kong features a very decent field all things considered, spearheaded by World #5 Andrey Rublev. The seeds won’t be in action in this first day, but there should still be plenty of high quality actions, with tight matches between somewhat evenly matched players.
ATP Hong Kong Day 1 Predictions
Juncheng Shang vs Laslo Djere
Head-to-head: first meeting
Djere had by far the best season of his career so far in 2023, even if it will likely end up being remembered for the way he wasted a 2-0 lead against Novak Djokovic at the US Open. He will be looking to further build on it in 2024 and seems to have a very kind opener here. Shang is still very young at only 18 but nothing he’s shown so far suggests he’s ready to win matches at ATP level against Top 50 opponents. It’s a new season and he is at an age where he can improve a lot quickly, but Djere would definitely be the safe choice here.
Prediction: Djere in 2
Emil Ruusuvuori vs Benjamin Bonzi
Head-to-head: Bonzi 2-1 Ruusuvuori
A matchup between two very evenly matched players. Both are solid pros, but not quite good enough to win titles at ATP level or make significant runs in the bigger events. It should be a very tight match, very difficult to predict. Bonzi reached a final in India last year before the Australian Open and will have the extra motivation of trying to defend his points, that might end up making the difference.
Prediction: Bonzi in 3
Shintaro Mochizuki vs Botic van de Zandschulp
Head-to-head: first meeting
Botic seemed to have solidified himself as a good ATP level player, but he really tailed off in late 2023 and is down to #50 in the world. On the other hand, the young Japanese ended the season on a high, reaching the semifinals at his home tournament in Tokyo. It remains to be seen whether he can continue rising in 2023, but the signs are positive. It will still be very difficult to overcome a more seasoned pro like Botic here though.
Prediction: van de Zandschulp in 3
Pavel Kotov vs Nuno Borges
Head-to-head: first meeting
#66 vs #67, it could hardly be any more even on paper. However, Kotov has had far more success in the main tour, even coming very close to winning a title in Stockholm late last year, while Borges has had more success at Challenger level and it still remains to be seen whether he can translate that into ATP level. Judging by what he showed in late 2023, Kotov should have the edge here.
Prediction: Kotov in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
