The abbreviated ATP clay court season will get underway in Kitzbuhel, Austria, as it’s time for round 1 of the Generali Open, an ATP 250 tournament. Japanese talents Kei Nishikori and Yoshihito Nishioka highlight Tuesday’s round of 32 action. Main draw qualifying will also conclude.
Hubert Hurkacz vs Joao Sousa
Both players leave the US Open disappointed and hoping for more on clay. Hurkacz remains talented but clay is not the surface best suited for his game, while Sousa can grind away and get wins on clay even though he’s now well off his career high ranking in the top 30. Sousa has a lone h2h win and should edge this matchup. Sousa in 2
Sebastian Ofner vs Radu Albot
Home player Sebastian Ofner took part in both the Austrian exhibition tour during the tour break and clay court challenger tennis prior to taking part in one of his home ATP tournaments. Albot has yet to win a match (0-2), or even a set, since the tour returned, his form is poor, and he’s at best a mediocre player on clay. Neither player has much to shout about right now, but Ofner is at home. Ofner in 2
Kei Nishikori vs Miomir Kecmanovic
Nishikori endured a COVID testing saga (eventually testing negative), and did not play in the US Open, so this will be his first tournament back from an elbow surgery that was performed in late 2019. The elbow injury was debilitating for the former world #4, and as he works to get his game back into form he’s not expected to be a major factor at the French Open given it’s been more than a year since he played a tour level match. Kecmanovic reached the second round in New York, but he also will be working into form, having barely played on clay in the last 12 months. This match is a relative toss up, but Kecmanovic has played more tennis lately and should have a slight edge. Kecmanovic in 3
Yoshihito Nishioka vs Guido Pella
Pella has a lone previous h2h win against Nishioka, but the Japanese player has improved significantly since that 2015 matchup. Near a career high just inside the top 50, Yoshi came up just short against Andy Murray in New York before traveling across the ocean to prepare for the French Open. Nishioka has never been at his best on clay though, and Pella is far more comfortable on the surface. Pella had a solid clay court season in 2019 and reached the quarters in Buenos Aires on clay this year before Covid. Pella is the favorite. Pella in 3
Main Photo:
