The second day of play at the ATP Winston-Salem Open features Australian’s Tristan Schoolkate and Christopher O’Connell in action, while #4 seed Adrian Mannarino takes on Australia’s Aleksandar Vukic. Here is your look at all the action.
Learner Tien vs Tristan Schoolkate
The qualifier Schoolkate is 24-16 below ATP level and is still seeking his first main draw match win at this top level. Tien, who is four years younger, also qualified and is seeking his maiden ATP match win, so the winner will have an achievement to celebrate. 14-4 at the Challenger level this year, Tien is rising quickly, playing on home soil it should have a slight edge in what is ultimately a coin flip match. Tien in 3
Aleksandar Vukic vs Adrian Mannarino
Mannarino has had an easy time against Vukic in their two previous meetings, at 9-24 on the season this is his worst ATP Tour performance in over a decade of professional tennis. He has played at all the North American hard court events this summer and is winless since June. Vukic slipped past Dan Evans in his opening match and has at least some positive momentum going into this one. Despite the h2h record, it’s hard to see Vukic not feeling confident given the awful form Mannarino is in. Streaks have to end at some point but the French player looks lost right now. Vukic in 3
Federico Coria vs Dominic Stricker
Stricker missed half the season with a back injury, he did win two Challenger Tour matches heading into this tournament and his form has been patchy since returning for the grass court season. Coria is 8-14 at tour level but a better 11-7 on the Challenger Tour this season, the Argentine much prefers clay, so Stricker in improved form has a shot at an upset here. Stricker in 2
Christopher O’Connell vs Strong Kirchheimer
The former Northwestern player Kirchheimer is a career journeyman who has never reached the top 350 in the world. He qualified as an alternate though and repeats as a main draw participant in Winston Salem after debuting last year, he has never won an ATP main draw match. He was previously just 2-6 at the Challenger Tour level this year. O’Connell is a top 100 player who is 10-16 on the season, that’s not impressive, but it’s still a level well above anything Kircheimer has done in his career. O’Connell retired in his last match, but he’s a heavy favorite if fit. O’Connell in 2
Main Photo Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
