Day 1 in Marseille kicks off the main draw of the ATP Open 13 Provence. We’ve had some qualifying matches, but the main event starts on Monday with three main draw matches. Who will win? We look at the matches for you to give our thoughts.
ATP Marseille Day 1 Predictions
Yoshihito Nishioka vs Emil Ruusuvuori
Aside from the slight personal issue that I always have difficulty spelling his name, Ruusuvuori is a joy to watch on the tennis court. The 21-year-old from Finland has unlimited potential, and he’s slowly putting it together. I expect him to be at the top of the game soon. He has the weapons and talent to get through Nishioka, though the Japanese just plays a solid level of consistent baseline tennis that can confound a youngster. Expect a good match in this one.
Prediction: Ruusuvuori in 3
Hugo Gaston vs Dennis Novak
Novak has potential, and he’s slowly inching his way forward, recently cracking the Top 100. He’s not so consistent yet, though, and that makes this match ripe for an upset. Gaston has a wild card here, but there won’t be any home fans to cheer him on. Still, players perform well in their own countries, and he’ll like the court speed better than Novak will in this one. I like the Frenchman to take it in three.
Prediction: Gaston in 3
Gregoire Barrere vs Jannik Sinner
Sinner hasn’t quite found the level that he achieved at last year’s French Open. The Italian hasn’t yet reached his full potential in 2021, but he should be more than too much for Barrere on these courts. All in all, this should be a good warm up into the tournament for the fifth seed, from Italy.
Prediction: Sinner in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
