The first round of the 2021 Qatar Open will be completed on Tuesday. There are six clashes to look forward to and some of them present very evenly-matched competitors. We predict three of the matches in this article and three in a second article. Who do you got?
ATP Doha Day 2 Predictions
Jeremy Chardy vs Dan Evans
Head-to-head: Chardy 3-1
After barely playing throughout 2020, Jeremy Chardy has enjoyed a great start to the new season. The Frenchman has been absolutely clinical at winning tie-breaks (10-1) and steered many tight battles in his favor. Dan Evans could be a little short of match practice, not having played since the Australian Open. On top of that, Chardy carries a head-to-head lead that speaks about the discrepancy in power here. This could be really tough but the Frenchman seems to know how to deal with the variety of spins and tactics that Evans brings to the court.
Prediction: Chardy in 3
Marton Fucsovics vs Dusan Lajovic
Head-to-head: First meeting
Dusan Lajovic has been playing better than his results would suggest since January, perhaps most convincingly proven by his defeat of Daniil Medvedev in Rotterdam. That very same event saw Marton Fucsovics play some of the best tennis of his life on the way to a runner-up finish. That sublime form should give the edge to the Hungarian, but if he’s not well-rested after Rotterdam, Lajovic can clean it up. Counting the jet lag and just two days of break for Fucsovics, this looks really even.
Prediction: Lajovic in 3
Stan Wawrinka vs Lloyd Harris
Head-to-head: First meeting
Lloyd Harris recently injured his ankle in Singapore, but this kind of problem usually doesn’t take that long to deal with. Stan Wawrinka is extremely tough to predict at this stage of his career. The Swiss only from time to time presents glimpses of the form that saw him clinch three Grand Slam titles. Harris looked alright in his qualifying match against Lacko and he should have a very decent chance to get the upset here.
Prediction: Harris in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
