The Vienna Open has a stacked field. US Open semifinalist and French Open quarterfinalist Pablo Correño Busta, the perpetually dangerous Gael Monfils, recent St. Petersburg finalist Borna Coric, and St. Petersburg title holder, Andrey Rublev are all vying for the title. The first day already has thrilling match ups on offer.
ATP Vienna Open Day 1 Predictions Including Gael Monfils vs Pablo Correño Busta
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Borna Coric vs Taylor Fritz
Head to head: 3-0 Coric
Borna Coric and Taylor Fritz have played each other three times, once on each surface. Coric has always prevailed and the matches have all gone to three sets. Coric is coming in fresh from a final at the St. Petersburg Open which he lost in two tight sets to Andrey Rublev who has been accumulating titles faster than almost any other man on tour. Coric also beat Milos Raonic in the semifinal, a strong win and one in which he was forced to claw his way back in the score after dropping the first set to the Canadian 6-1. Fritz’s recent results have been less stellar and, while Coric would seem to have more court-time in his legs, it is Fritz who has competed more recently losing in the second round of the European Open to Lloyd Harris. Coric’s solid game should be more than enough for Fritz even if the American’s serve will likely keep him competitive in the score.
Prediction: Coric in 2.
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Dennis Novak vs Kevin Anderson
Head to head: 0-0
Though Kevin Anderson enters this match as the lower ranked player, his pedigree precedes him. The two-time slam finalist has been trying to find his way back to the top of the sport in 2020 with intermittent success. His big serve and forehand are as effective as ever. Anderson’s movement has been suspect at times, but his fighting spirit is as present and apparent as ever. Against Novak, if he can keep his first serve percentage up, the rest should fall into place for him.
Prediction: Anderson in 2.
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Andrey Rublev vs Norbert Gambos
Head to head: 0-0
Andrey Rublev has won almost forty matches already in 2020, a year in which many tournaments were canceled. What’s more, he has won four tiles, the most recent of which he won just one week ago. Rublev’s game is as good as it has ever been – his clean, aggressive baseline-hugging style has kept opponents on the defensive and off balance. In the finals of the St. Petersburg Open, Borna Coric, one of the tour’s best movers, was unable to put Rublev off as he calmly executed his pre-determined game plan. With the combination of talent and confidence, Norbert Gambos looks likely to be the latest victim of Rublev’s current hot streak.
Prediction: Rublev in 2.
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Gael Monfils vs Pablo Correño Busta
Head to head: 3-1 Monfils
Nothing is certain when Gael Monfils takes to a tennis court. Will he be the all business Monfils who camps out a meter or two behind the baseline and relies on his unrivaled athleticism, or will he be the highlight reel player hitting no-look volleys, head fake dropshots, and between the legs winners? Against a solid opponent like Pablo Correño Busta, if the former shows up, Busta, who is also content to rally for days, will prevail. If Monfils unleashes on his shots, takes the initiative and pushes Busta, he will have a chance. The pair have not played since 2016 and though Monfils has won their last three straight matches, the sizable gap in time, and the gap in their current results, indicates that Busta is well positioned for another win at long last.
Prediction: Busta in 3.
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