With the Olympics being played next week in Paris, ATP Atlanta doesn’t feature any of the world’s top players, but it is still a very competitive field. Many American players are vying for a home trophy, along with other talented players looking to have a big run. The top seeds won’t be in action yet, but it should still be a very exciting day of high-quality tennis.
ATP Atlanta Day 2 Predictions
Aslan Karatsev vs Billy Harris
Head-to-head: first meeting
Karatsev is having an absolutely terrible season, with only one win all season, and injuries taking a real toll on him. Meanwhile, Harris has been playing quite decently lately, including here in Atlanta in qualifying. Judging in current form, Harris should have a bit of an advantage going in here, even if it should be a very close match.
Prediction: Harris in 3
Miomir Kecmanovic vs Adam Walton
Head-to-head: first meeting
Both players played decently on grass and will be looking to carry that into American hardcourts. With that said, Kecmanovic is clearly the better player overall, even if he’s not having the best season, and he should be able to pull through quite comfortably here.
Prediction: Kecmanovic in 2
Mattia Bellucci vs Aleksandar Vukic
Head-to-head: first meeting
Vukic has had a really good grasscourt season and has gone all the way to No. 60 in the rankings. Bellucci has been playing quite well himself, with some very close losses in Slams to much higher-ranked players. It should be a pretty close match here, all things considered, but Vukic should have the slight edge.
Prediction: Vukic in 3
Christopher O’Connell vs Max Purcell
Head-to-head: O’Connell 1-0 Purcell
Last year, Purcell had an excellent stretch on US hardcourts, but it ended in the first round of the US Open against his compatriot O’Connell. Even if Purcell is generally the better of the two Aussies, this matchup is always bound to be a very tight one, decided by small margins. Purcell is the slight favorite, but it could genuinely go either way.
Prediction: Purcell in 3
Reilly Opelka vs Aleksandar Kovacevic
Head-to-head: first meeting
Opelka had a really great week in his return to the tour last week in Newport, even if it ended in quite a disappointing fashion. With his absolutely incredible serve, it should be a matter of time until he climbs up the rankings again and if it is firing it will be very hard for Kovacevic to have much of a chance in this match.
Prediction: Opelka in 2
Main Photo Credit: Jeff Romance – Palm Beach Post – USAToday Network
