Day 1 at the ATP 250 event in Chengdu won’t feature any of the seeds, but it will still be a very interesting day of tennis, sure to feature some very tight and exciting matches. With the field not being particularly strong, what with the top players mostly choosing to either rest or play Laver Cup, it is a great opportunity for many players to win a rare ATP level title.
ATP Chengdu Day 1 Predictions
Adam Walton vs Lukas Klein
Head-to-head: first meeting
Both players are on terrible streaks right now, with Walton losing his last six matches and Klein his last four. Both players will therefore see this as a great opportunity to snap out of their bad streak and get some momentum going ahead of the final stretch of the season. Walton is generally the better player of the two and should have a small edge here, but it is likely to be a very close match, decided by very small details on the most important points. It could well be a long three setter.
Prediction: Walton in 3
Taro Daniel vs Lorenzo Sonego
Head-to-head: Sonego 1-0 Daniel
Daniel is on a terrible four-match losing streak and it looks like his best days on tour might be behind him. Sonego, on the other hand, has established himself as a good ATP level player and even recently won a title at Winston Salem playing some very good tennis. He looks set to continue climbing up the rankings and should make relatively easy work of this first round.
Prediction: Sonego in 2
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard vs Fajing Sun
Head-to-head: first meeting
Mpetshi Perricard lost steam after his big breakthrough in the clay and grass season but against the World #359 his serve and power should be too overwhelming and carry him to victory. Sun is making his debut in an ATP main draw and is very unlikely to pose a serious challenge against a player who looks set to keep climbing up the rankings and is already an ATP tournament winner.
Prediction: Mpetshi Perricard in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
