The ATP Hall of Fame Championships in Newport, Rhode Island is unique for many reasons. One of them is that they split their quarterfinal matches over two days. Thursday will see two all-American battles, as Alex Michelsen takes on Aleksandar Kovacevic while the returning Reilly Opelka battles Mackenzie McDonald. Who do you think will move on to the semifinals?
ATP Newport Day 4 Predictions
Alex Michelsen vs Aleksandar Kovacevic
Both of these players have been quietly impressing and improving over the past year and change, though Michelsen has both been a bit less quiet and a bit more impressive. This is a great opportunity for one of these two young players to reach an ATP semifinal, and I expect the younger one to do it. He may only be 19, but a first title might be in the cards this week.
Prediction: Michelsen in 3
Reilly Opelka vs Mackenzie McDonald
What a return to action this has been for Reilly Opelka. The grass helps, and it’s easy to find your match rhythm when the serve is so effective and so consistent. I don’t think that McDonald will have much that can answer the serve, which means Opelka might be returning to Tour the same way he was when he left it–winning tournaments. It will be very hard for anyone left in this draw to find their way to a break against the big-serving behemoth. Tiebreaks will be the only way to beat him–but with the way he returns it won’t be easy to get to them.
Prediction: Opelka in 2
Main Photo Credit: Jeff Romance/Palm Beach Post/USAToday Network
