The ATP Winston-Salem Open is the last men’s build-up event before the US Open. Sebastian Baez is the defending champion and the #1 seed this year. The slate has seven exciting first-round matches and will be divided into two articles. As always, we here at LWOT will offer our predictions for every match on the slate for Day 1. In addition to this article, our other features Borna Coric vs Sumit Nagal. But who will advance?
ATP Winston-Salem Day 1 Predictions
Daniel Evans vs Aleksandar vukic
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Daniel Evans has dropped well outside the Top 100 after he decided to play in the Olympics instead of defending his Citi Open title. Evans has won just three matches on tour this year with his last win coming in Miami in March. Aleksandar Vukic has been in much better form this season than his first-round opponent. However, he failed to qualify for Montreal and Cincinnati. Vukic will see this week as a big chance to get wins under his belt and take some form heading into the US Open. This will be Evans’ first match on hard courts after the Olympics and I doubt he would be up to speed.
Prediction: Vukic in 2
Christopher Eubanks vs Adam Walton
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Christopher Eubanks has been given a wild card this week and he will look to make the most out of it. Eubanks reached the quarterfinals in a Challenger event last week where he lost to Roman Safiullin. He is still nowhere near the level he produced last year though. Adam Walton also played in the same Challenger but lost in the first round. Walton is a talented player but has yet to convert his talent to consecutive wins. I like this match for Eubanks and he should get the job done.
Prediction: Eubanks in 3
Marton Fucsovics vs Taro Daniel
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Marton Fucsovics failed to qualify for the main draw of the Cincinnati Open with a three-set loss to Corentin Moutet in the final round. He needs to get to a good start here and find his best tennis before the US Open. Taro Daniel is a tricky opponent as he has the calibre to play some high-level tennis but he is very inconsistent during a match. Daniel is a former semifinalist at the Winston-Salem Open and I expect him to give a tough fight to Fucsovics.
Prediction: Fucsovics in 3
Thiago Seyboth Wild vs James Duckworth
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Thiago Seyboth Wild showed some great tennis at the Sunshine Doubles earlier this year, beating the likes of Taylor Fritz and Karen Khachanov. However, he hasn’t quite played to that level since and has struggled to win consecutive matches. He has a tough first-round against James Duckworth, who likes playing on this surface and had a decent week in Montreal, where he pushed Casper Ruud. If Seyboth Wild can play to his potential he will win this match but he hasn’t shown that level recently. I am going with the Australian on this one.
Prediction: Duckworth in 3
Main Photo Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports
