Auckland is one of the final ATP stops before the big one starts in Melbourne next week. A few players will be up against one another for the first time and will be looking to enjoy the party longer in Australia. We at LWOT analyze who will be kicked on the first day. We also look at the rest of the day’s matches in a separate article.
ATP Auckland Day 1 Predictions
Daniel Altmaier vs Marcos Giron
Head–to–Head: First Meeting
Daniel Altmaier got his season off with a hard-fought win over Li Tu before being pummeled in straight sets by Grigor Dimitrov in Brisbane. It took the German over five weeks to nick a win at the beginning of last season so earning one at the first time of asking is a positive sign going into 2024.
Marcos Giron won 32 matches last year with the majority of them coming on outdoor hardcourts. Three quarterfinal appearances, including one here in Auckland earned him a respectable ranking at the end of the season and he’ll certainly be looking to continue from where he left off.
Giron is the more solid player, especially on this surface. He rightly starts as the favorite against an opponent who is more accustomed to the dirt. If the American stays composed, he will win this.
Prediction: Giron in 3
Alex Michelsen vs Nuno Borges
Head–to–Head: First Meeting
Alex Michelsen is having a blistering start to the 2024 season with four wins in five in his first time playing in this part of the world. At different stages of last season, he went on two 9 match-winning charges that propelled him into the top 100 and his ability to play on all surfaces makes him a tough opponent.
The top-ranked Portuguese didn’t have the start to the season he must have engaged after finishing last year strongly with a Challenger title in his home country. His unconvincing loss to Pavel Kotov in the first round in Brisbane will hit his confidence but he enjoys playing on hard courts and will be hoping to bounce back against his less experienced opponent.
Any of both players is capable of winning this but I’ll side with the American teenager to continue enjoying his time Down Under.
Prediction: Michelsen in 3
Borna Gojo vs Alejandro Tabilo
Head–to–Head: Gojo 0 – 1 Tabilo
Despite not having a win this year, Borna Gojo must feel he is still on a positive trajectory. He showed tremendous grit in his three-set loss to Arthur Fils in Hong Kong and will be looking to go one step further here in Auckland.
Alejandro Tabilo made his debut here with convincing wins over his opponents. He hasn’t lost a match since November and he will be going into the match with enough confidence.
Both players are equally matched with the Chilean looking like the better all – round player and the Croat the more solid and experienced. This will likely go all the way but I’ll back Gojo to get the win.
Prediction: Gojo in 3
Christopher Eubanks vs Botic Van De Zandschulp
Head–to–Head: First Meeting
Chris Eubanks effectively kickstarted last season here in Auckland making it past the qualifiers and the first round before being knocked out by David Goffin. He embarked on a 9-match winning streak which earned him his maiden title in Mallorca and even more remarkably, a quarterfinal appearance at Wimbledon where he lost to Daniil Medvedev in a closely fought match. It was the same player he succumbed to at the same stage in Miami and he hasn’t hit a tennis ball since October.
His Dutch opponent has already played some lengthy matches this season against lower-ranked players including a grueling 39-game loss to Chinese teenager Shang Juncheng. It appears he is still struggling to find his rhythm and he has to do so in time if he is to have any chance against one of the biggest servers in the sport.
This match depends on which version of Eubanks turns up. While he is rusty, he is up against a player who is still trying to find consistency. This is a difficult one to pick but I’ll side with the American as he knows how to hold his serve.
Prediction: Eubanks in 3
Main Photo Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
