The last Masters 1000 of the year is about to kick off at ATP Paris, and even the qualifying rounds are coming, packing a punch as some of the players within the top 40-100 look to boost their rankings before the end of the season. Who will come out victorious and punch their way into the main draw?
ATP Paris Qualifications Day 2 Predictions
Quentin Halys vs Bu Yunchaokete
Head-to-Head: First Meeting
Halys Quinton was unlucky to run into a resurgent Gael Monfils in a second-round clash at Vienna last week. The Frenchman has been competing on European indoor hard courts on the lower circuits since the start of September and has a couple of semifinal finishes under his belt. Playing at home and on a surface where he is most comfortable should give him an overwhelming advantage over his relatively inexperienced opponent at ATP Paris.
Prediction: Halys in 2
Christopher O’Connell vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Head-to-Head: First Meeting
Davidovich Fokina is the more talented of the two, but the Spaniard’s unreliability makes it hard to back him in these types of matches. Both got straight sets wins in the opening rounds of qualification, O’Connel earning him on the back of four losses in a row. The Australian has the game to stay competitive against Fokina and claw his way to victory should the Spaniard stumble as he so often does.
Prediction: O’Connell in 3
Juncheng Shang vs Zizou Bergs
Head-to-Head: Bergs 1-0 Shang
These two were in the qualifying rounds in Rome a few months ago, and Bergs came out as the winner. They are evenly matched on this surface, and the young Chinese should have a better fighting chance. Shang got past James Duckworth in the first round in three sets, dropping serve just once throughout the encounter. This encounter should go the distance as well, and I will back Shang to move on to the main draw.
Prediction: Shang in 3
Marcos Giron vs Miomir Kecmanovic
Head-to-Head: Giron 1-1 Kecmanovic
Both players competed in Vienna last week and took losses to Alexander Zverev and Jakub Mensik in the second round, respectively. Both players will fight for a chance to get into the main draw as a good outing at this tournament could see them make a push up the rankings before the season ends and afford themselves the opportunity to earn direct entry into the main draw at the start of next season. Marcos Giron has been in better form in recent weeks and should head into this clash as the odds-on favorite. He should be able to secure the win at ATP Paris.
Predicition: Giron in 3
Main Photo Credit: Eric Bolte – USA TODAY Sports
