This week’s ATP 250 event in Chengdu doesn’t feature a particularly strong field on paper, with most top players choosing to either rest or play Laver Cup, but it should still provide a lot of exciting action, with many players giving it their all to seize a rare opportunity for an ATP level title and some very valuable ranking points. We predict all of the day’s matches, split between this and two separate articles. Those articles feature Fabio Fognini vs Roman Safiullin and Kei Nishikori vs Juncheng Shang. Who do you think will advance?
ATP Chengdu Day 2 Predictions
Aleksandar Kovacevic vs Alibek Kachmazov
Head-to-head: Kovacevic 1-0 Kachamazov
Kovacevic had some tough draw during the North American hardcourt swing, but he showed some very decent tennis and now finally has, at least on paper, a nice draw here. He beat Kachamazov with relative ease at a challenger event in China last year and the same should happen this time around here, especially considering how much he has improved since then.
Prediction: Kovacevic in 2
Terence Atmane vs Adrian Mannarino
Head-to-head: first meeting
After a nice run at the Australian Open, Mannarino has been having a terrible year and is actually in danger of dropping out of the Top 100 if he doesn’t get at least one decent result in this last stretch of the season, with his ranking being boosted by the two tournaments he won in late 2023. On paper, he has a decent draw here against his compatriot, who has been struggling a bit lately too, but it should be a very close match decided by small details.
Prediction: Mannarino in 3
Aleksandar Vukic vs Borna Coric
Head-to-head: Vukic 1-0 Coric
After winning Cincinnati in 2022, Coric has never showed anything even remotely close to his best level again and is actually close to dropping out of the top 100. Vukic has been struggling himself, in fact both players had extremely disappointing first round eliminations at the US Open. It should be a very close battle here, with both players desperately fighting for a much needed win to try and get some confidence and momentum back.
Prediction: Coric in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
