After rain played havoc with the scheduled play on day two at the Auckland Open, two matches had to be rescheduled for day three in New Zealand’s largest city. Fortunately, that leaves the fans with plenty of tennis to enjoy, provided the weather co-operates. But who will book their place in the quarterfinals in Auckland?
ATP Auckland Open Day 3 Predictions
John Isner vs Tennys Sandgren
Head-to-head: Isner 1-0 Sandgren
Tennys Sandgren, defending champion at the Auckland Open, got off to a good start against home hope Michael Venus, serving 15 aces and defending his second serve well in a 6-4 6-3 win. Next up for him is his countryman, John Isner, who knows a thing or two about big serving himself. This will be the pair’s second meeting, with that previous match ending 7-6 6-7 7-6 in Isner’s favour. But the fourth seed may well be short of confidence after his disastrous ATP Cup campaign, in which he failed to win a match. Protracted baseline exchanges seem certain to be few and far between, but, lacking in confidence or not, expect Isner’s thunderous serve once again to give him a decisive edge in what looks likely to be a close contest.
Prediction: Isner in 3
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Mikael Ymer vs Hubert Hurkacz
Head-to-head: first meeting
Hubert Hurkacz arrives into this match in fine form after an impressive week at the ATP Cup. He will surely be hoping to carry that good form forward into the Auckland Open and then onto Melbourne. Mikael Ymer, meanwhile, has looked sharp so far in Auckland, beating Australian Open quarterfinalist Frances Tiafoe 6-4 5-7 6-1 after coming through the qualifying. He will surely be full of confidence as a result and this looks like a tough assignment for Hurkacz. But the Pole is rising fast and showed at the ATP Cup he has the game to mix it with the best in the sport. Expect him to navigate his way past Ymer and into the quarterfinals.
Prediction: Hurkacz in 3
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Benoit Paire vs Thiago Monteiro
Head-to-head: Paire 1-0 Monteiro
Benoit Paire did well to come through his opener against the young gun Jannik Sinner in three. Paire is not always the most focused player on tour, but he enjoyed a fine 2019 season and he looks keen to put together a good week in Auckland before heading to the first Major of the year. Thiago Monteiro, meanwhile, came through the qualifying before beating 2019 finalist Cameron Norrie in the first round. But the Brazilian was well-beaten when this pair last met in Pune a year ago and he seems destined to struggle once again against the dynamic Frenchman, whose superb backhand gives him a weapon Monteiro simply cannot match.
Prediction: Paire in 2
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Vasek Pospisil vs Denis Shapovalov
Head-to-head: first meeting
In Denis Shapovalov’s first match since his titanic struggle against Novak Djokovic in the ATP Cup quarterfinals, the Canadian will face his countryman Vasek Pospisil. Shapovalov is currently ranked at a career-high 13th in the world and will surely be targeting a deep run in Auckland, where the conditions should suit his aggressive style of play. But Pospisil looked in good touch against Joao Sousa, dropping his serve only once in a 6-4 6-2 win, having also not dropped a set in coming through the qualifying. And whilst this is the first meeting between the two, they should know each other’s games well. But how much help that will be for Pospisil when faced with the formidable power of Shapovalov is questionable.
Prediction: Shapovalov in 2
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Karen Khachanov vs John Millman
Head-to-head: first meeting
John Millman was one of the lucky few to get through his match on day two at the Auckland Open. But his reward is a very tough looking assignment in the shape of Karen Khachanov, who looks to have rediscovered his form after a disappointing 2019. Millman is never an easy opponent to face thanks to his excellent court coverage and never-say-die attitude. But he cannot come close to matching Khachanov’s power off the ground, which could give the Russian a decisive advantage. He also served well throughout the ATP Cup and a repeat of that performance in Auckland will make him a hard man to stop in New Zealand.
Prediction: Khachanov in 2
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