With a number of star names set to take to the courts at the Ariake Tennis Colosseum, there should be plenty of entertaining tennis on day two at the Tokyo Olympics. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every scheduled match including Andy Murray vs Felix Auger-Aliassime, Alexander Zverev vs Lu Yen-hsun and Kei Nishikori vs Andrey Rublev. But who will reach the last 32?
Tokyo Olympics Day 2 Predictions
Philipp Kohlschreiber vs Stefanos Tsitsipas
Jim: This should be a very watchable match if nothing else. Both Stefanos Tsitsipas and Philipp Kohlschreiber possess attacking all-court games, with plenty of winners likely to be struck. But it is the Greek who is the superior player, particularly this late in Kohlschreiber’s career. That should be reflected in the scoreline.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 2
Yesh: Kohlschreiber is playing well right now, while Tsitsipas has been struggling since the French Open final (and his grandmother’s death). People will call this a shocker, but it’s not too shocking.
Prediction: Kohlschreiber in 3
Jack: Though Tsitsipas has suffered a couple of difficult losses back-to-back at the French Open and Wimbledon, make no mistake, the Greek is still one of the most difficult players to beat this season. Kohlschreiber could catch his opponent cold if he’s lucky but a betting man would expect Tsitsipas to pick up his hard-court form where he left it in March.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 2
Damian: Kohlschreiber’s had a few vintage performances this year and with Tsitsipas’ wobbly post-Roland Garros form, the German has a theoretical shot at winning here. It’s still very unlikely that he’ll be able to maintain his highest level at such intensity at this point of his career.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 2
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Karen Khachanov vs Yoshihito Nishioka
Jim: Karen Khachanov is one of several men who found some form at Wimbledon, with the Russian finally breaking the shackles to reach the quarterfinals at the All England Club. If he can maintain the form he showed there, he should be able to overpower Yoshihito Nishioka, but don’t be surprised if the Japanese manages to land some blows of his own.
Prediction: Khachanov in 3
Yesh: Khachanov has a good draw and is finding his best form again. The Russian is in position for a deep run here.
Prediction: Khachanov in 2
Jack: Khachanov’s season was looking pretty dire before he made a run to the Wimbledon quarterfinals. He has that sort of game though, a little inconsistent but sometimes big enough to beat anyone in the world. The left-handed Nishioka is a hard player to break down, however, and, encouraged by playing on home-soil, I think he will eventually get in Khachanov’s head.
Prediction: Nishioka in 3
Damian: The slower hard court conditions should be ideal for Khachanov, and the Russian be coming in with a lot of confidence from his Wimbledon quarterfinal. He also dispatched Nishioka quite handily at the Australian Open two years ago.
Prediction: Khachanov in 2
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Francisco Cerundolo vs Liam Broady
Jim: Liam Broady will surely be disappointed that he did not manage to advance beyond the second round at any of the grass-court events he played on home turf. But this looks like a good first-round draw for the Briton up against a player known for his clay-court exploits, but not for much else.
Prediction: Broady in 3
Yesh: Liam Broady gets a clay-court specialist in his opening match. The Brit (a late addition after some withdrawals) should win a match here.
Prediction: Broady in 3
Jack: Pretty fresh to the tour, Cerundolo is yet to play an ATP main draw match on hard courts. Though Broady hasn’t played many more himself, his hard graft and experience on the Challenger Tour will leave him better equipped than his opponent. Broady will also count himself lucky to be there after several withdrawals so won’t be holding back.
Prediction: Broady in 2
Damian: Broady was a last-minute nomination for the Olympics, but he still got plenty of time to acclimatize. The Brit’s been really solid this season and it should be enough for Cerundolo, who’s got very little experience on hard courts.
Prediction: Broady in 3
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Lukas Klein vs James Duckworth
Jim: James Duckworth’s run to the third round at Wimbledon demonstrated both his battling qualities and his talent, which has sometimes been overlooked. Lukas Klein, meanwhile, looks to have a bright enough future, but the world #246 has very little experience of tennis at this level and could be out-matched here.
Prediction: Duckworth in 3
Yesh: This could be a fun one, as both players are solid but neither is great. Flip a coin to see who wins, and enjoy the match.
Prediction: Duckworth in 3
Jack: If Broady feels lucky to be in the draw, Klein may well feel like he’s won the lottery. Ranked outside the top 200, he originally flew to Tokyo to play doubles but a last minute withdrawal gave him the opportunity to contest the singles given he was already quarantining. James Duckworth has had some decent wins this year, however, so it may be too big an ask for Klein.
Prediction: Duckworth in 3
Damian: Don’t let Klein’s lack of hard court matches recently fool you, he has played on this surface at a very high level in the past. But Duckworth’s scored a few really good wins in the grass-court season and should have enough momentum to progress here.
Prediction: Duckworth in 3
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