Second round action at ATP Newport is what is on deck including Americans Brandon Nakashima and Chris Eubanks. Here are your predictions.
Arthur Rinderknech vs Aleksandar Kovacic
Rinderknech just won in straight sets when they met on grass in London, Kovacevic has burst into the top 100 with a record 6 tour level wins this year and he won four challenger titles last year. Rinderknech is a respectable 9-13 on tour this year and he has a Challenger title back in February. This will be competitive but signs point to the French player. Rinderknech in 2
Aleksandar Vukic vs Eliot Spizzirri
13-18 this year at tour level, Vukic has already put together a career year, he was a finalist last year in Atlanta en route to his first ever top 50 ranking. This year he was a semifinalist in Eastbourne on grass. Spizzirri was an elite level player at the University of Texas and is now a pro, a top high school and college American player he is now trying to translate his game to the professional circuit, this tournament is a great opportunity but Vukic is formidable on grass. Vukic in 2
Christopher Eubanks vs Ethan Quinn
The former top 30 Eubanks has slumped badly this season, 6-18 on the year after 20+ match wins last year and an ATP title on grass last year. He likes this surface and could use this tournament to renew his season, he was a quarterfinalist in Halle on grass as well. Ethan Quinn, a former University of Georgia standout, is trying to make his way on the pro circuit now, a big server and a power hitter, Quinn has the game to trouble Eubanks on this surface and has already made some moves this season qualifying for Indian Wells and winning some on the Challenger tour. Eubanks experience and comfort level on this surface should suit him however. Eubanks in 3
Brandon Nakashima vs Alex Bolt
13-11 on the season at tour level, plus a ridiculous 26-8 at the Challenger tour level, Nakashima is a really good player who at times struggles with wild inconsistency. He won two matches at Wimbledon and was a semifinalist in Stuttgart already on grass, Bolt is also good on grass, he qualified for Wimbledon and now this tournament. In fact, including the Challenger Tour, he has qualified four grass court tournaments in a row, which speaks to how much he likes this surface. Bolt would defeat a lot of opponents but I don’t think Nakashima is one of them, Bolt has always struggled against the regulars on the ATP Tour. Nakashima in 2
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