After two thrilling events in Barcelona and Belgrade, the ATP shifts its attention to Estoril and Munich, the latter headlined by world #6 and home favourite Alexander Zverev. In an event he is currently the heavy favourite to win, we’ll have to find out if the former two time champion can deliver but for now let’s have a look at the opening day’s matches.
ATP Munich Day 1 Predictions Including John Millman vs Alexei Popyrin
Ilya Ivashka vs Emil Ruusuvuori
Head-to-head: 0-0
Only a few weeks ago Ruusuvuori shocked the tennis world by beating Alexander Zverev in Miami. On the other hand, Ivashka now 27 years of age, has spent most of his career on the Challenger circuit and smaller ATP events, but did take a set off eventual Barcelona champion Rafael Nadal just a few days ago. Many won’t be sure what to expect from the Finn on the clay but with Ivashka on the other hand what impressed most against Nadal was the level he was able to produce, I think he can back it up with a solid match here.
Prediction: Ruusuvuori in 3
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Egor Gerasimov vs Guido Pella
Head-to-head: Gerasimov 1-0
It feels like forever ago where Guido Pella was making the headlines every now and then for his results including a stunning run to the Wimbledon quarter-finals. Since then things have rather died out a little despite still being ranked inside the top 50. Gerasimov is having a steady year with wins here and there headlined by a win in France over former world #1 Andy Murray. What’s weird here is when the pair played earlier this year on the clay Gerasimov won routinely 6-4 6-0, something not many would have expected. I can’t see this time being that easy but I do think he can get another win over the Argentine.
Prediction: Gerasimov in 3
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Ricardas Berankis vs Maximilian Marterer
Head-to-head: Berankis 1-0
It’s hard to tell where it all went wrong for German Marterer. Ranked inside the Top 50 at 23 years old back in 2018, he now finds himself ranked outside the top 200 requiring a wildcard to play Munich. Thankfully time is on his side and luckily for his sake he opens up against a lucky loser who’s not in much great form at all. I can’t say I’m expecting a great match here but the matchup of passive vs aggressive will at least be a nice clash of gamestyles. I reckon Berankis though will be able to force enough errors out of Marterer to get the win.
Prediction: Berankis in 3
Frederico Coria vs Cedrik Marcel Stebe
Head-to-head: 0-0
Two men who have both spent a majority of their careers on the Challenger Tour meet in the opening round in Munich, with both having their best career results on the clay. Whilst German Stebe has been ranked around the 150 mark for most of his career, Coria–despite now being 29 years old–has picked it up in the last few years impressively in becoming a top 100 player. With Stebe’s two good qualifying wins in straight sets, however, and Coria on a streak of five straight losses, it’s hard to see Stebe not winning this one.
Prediction: Stebe in 2
John Millman vs Alexei Popyrin
Head-to-head: Millman 2-0
A battle between the Aussies to start the event. Whilst the older of the two men leads the head-to-head 2-0, I’m not too sure there’s much to read into it. Firstly, both matches were in 2018 when Millman was enjoying some of his best tennis and Popyrin was still a teenager. Also, both those matches were on a hard court. #43 Millman has also found himself with just four wins in his last 14 matches, a fair few to player he would be expected to beat such as Daniel and Zapata Miralles. The 21-year-old isn’t suited to the clay but due to a maiden title win in Singapore earlier this year I expected him to build off that sooner rather than later this year.
Prediction: Popyrin in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
