This year will be the first edition of the ATP Almaty Open, moved from Astana. Main draw action begins on Monday at this indoor ATP 250 with the schedule including a fascinating Next Gen clash between Coleman Wong and Justin Engel. No. 7 seed Fabian Marozsan will be the highest-ranked player in action, taking on Borna Coric. Who do you think will come out on top?
ATP Almaty Day 1 Predictions
Bu Yunchaokete vs Daniel Evans
Head-to-head: First meeting
This is a final round of qualifying match. Bu Yunchaokete stole the hearts of the Chinese crowds with back-to-back semifinals in Hangzhou and Beijing, posting some incredible wins, like the one over Andrey Rublev. Throughout that swing, the 22-year-old became so much more familiar with the big stage environment and started getting into the entertainer role. The challenge will now be to maintain this intensity in a different setting. His first performance in Almaty didn’t tell us much and even if he won’t be playing quite as well, he’s the slight favorite over Daniel Evans whose singles career seems to be past its peak now.
Prediction: Bu in 3
Justin Engel vs Coleman Wong
Head-to-head: First meeting
Justin Engel is an unexpected, but very deserved wildcard choice. Having just turned 17, the German already owns 4 ITF Tour titles and has been making headlines on the Challenger Tour recently. Especially in his last event in Villena, he took out Luca Van Assche and showed lots of development regarding the damage his serve and forehand can already do. He’s not out of this Next Gen matchup at all and Coleman Wong will need to play a pretty clean match to fend him off.
Prediction: Wong in 3
Damir Dzumhur vs Maximilian Marterer
Head-to-head: Dzumhur 3-2
Damir Dzumhur returning to the Top 100 this year wasn’t really on anyone’s bingo card, but the Bosnian has done so well to pick up five Challenger titles. The question becomes if his game is still relevant at the ATP Tour level. It feels like since he was at the top, the state of the game has moved a little more towards power. But Dzumhur’s skillset is still quite tricky to face and as he’s facing Maximilian Marterer who’s been short on confidence this season, it might be a good opportunity to get back in the saddle.
Prediction: Dzumhur in 2
Fabian Marozsan vs Borna Coric
Head-to-head: Coric 1-0
Fabian Marozsan’s Asian swing was cut short by an illness after just one match. Hopefully it won’t have any long-term effects and the Hungarian will be able to give his 100% here. Borna Coric on the other hand would probably rather forget about his performances in Asia, especially the loss to Fajing Sun in Shanghai qualifying. Considering the quicker conditions potentially highlighting Marozsan’s weaponry, seems like all the tools are with the Hungarian here.
Prediction: Marozsan in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
