Denis Shapovalov has high hopes for this North American hard court season, and his next shot is at the ATP 500 in Washington. It might help him get his career back on track, but early losses like in Atlanta won’t cut it. This time he’s facing Roberto Bautista Agut in Washington. Who do you think will advance? We also predict the rest of the day’s matches in Washington, split between two other articles. One features Emil Ruusuvuori vs Borna Coric and the other features Reilly Opelka vs James Duckworth.
ATP Washington Day 1 Predictions
Maxime Cressy vs Daniel Elahi Galan
Head-to-head: Cressy 1-0
Maxime Cressy is still out there looking for his way back into the big events, but it’s not easy with a lottery playstyle like his. The American made it through the qualifying in Atlanta though, posting wins over Tristian Schoolkate and Marc Polmans. Meanwhile, Daniel Elahi Galan caught some okayish form during the altitude clay double in Europe and will try to transfer that to the North American hard court conditions. We know he can do it (see the Stefanos Tsitsipas win at the US Open), but maybe Cressy’s match rhythm edge can be vital here.
Prediction: Cressy in 3
David Goffin vs Camilo Ugo Carabelli
Head-to-head: First meeting
It’s a rare hard-court appearance for Camilo Ugo Carabelli and in fact only his second tournament on this surface all season. It’s worth remembering that he almost qualified for the Australian Open and might not be as out of his comfort zone as it might seem. But someone as experienced as David Goffin should still be able to handle him. The Belgian doesn’t really go below a certain level (especially on hard courts) despite not achieving anything spectacular so far this season.
Prediction: Goffin in 2
Denis Shapovalov vs Roberto Bautista Agut
Head-to-head: Shapovalov 1-0
Denis Shapovalov has nothing to defend until the end of the season, but so far it looks like his campaign might be more about finding his way back to the Top 100 rather than Top 50 and above. He will have to play pretty sharp right away here as well. Roberto Bautista Agut isn’t quite as clinical as he was in his prime, but he’s still a player that demands excellence and consistency from his opponents. That’s not what Shapovalov is known for and he’ll have to work hard to somehow power through the Spaniard.
Prediction: Shapovalov in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
