Day 3 at the ATP Winston-Salem Open sees the Wake Forest University courts host some second-round matches that look very exciting. As always at LWOT we have previewed and predicted all of the matches at this tournament today, including matches featuring Marin Cilic, David Goffin, and Benoit Paire.
ATP Winston-Salem Open Day 3 Predictions
Yusuke Watanuki vs Marton Fucsovics
I like Fucsovics’ chances in this match. Watanuki is very much finding his feet on the ATP tour. The Japanese’s last few weeks have been at ATP250 events, though mainly in qualifying. Indeed Watanuki’s tournament perhaps should have finished in qualifying but he has taken advantage of his lucky loser position to get through here. Fucsovics though should have a big enough game to take the racket out of Watanuki’s hand here. The Hungarian hasn’t had much court time since Wimbledon and will surely be wanting at least a few rounds here so should be focused ahead of this match.
Prediction: Fucsovics in 2
Pierre-Hugues Herbert vs Federico Coria
Herbert has filled in for Nikoloz Basilashvili here and got himself a first-round bye. Not sure it is entirely fair given that Noah Rubin had to come out an hour after he lost in qualifying and play Andy Murray, but that doesn’t help predict the outcome here. Herbert certainly should have the better hard-court game here, but both players have actually really struggled on the surface over the last couple of years. Regardless, the Frenchman has the bigger serve and obviously has crisp volleys from his doubles skills. Coria may well fancy his chances being able to pass Herbert but the pressure that the Frenchman should put on Coria may be enough to get through.
Prediction: Herbert in 3
Frances Tiafoe vs Andy Murray
Tiafoe is always quite unpredictable but seems to be playing quite well at the moment with impressive victories against Denis Shapovalov, Ugo Humbert, and Yoshihito Nishioka. We learned little about Andy Murray in the opening round here because of Nick Krygios’ withdrawal and the fact that Rubin admitted he had very little left physically for his game against Murray. Historically Murray has done well against players like Tiafoe, indeed he beat the American last year in Cincinnati, but it is difficult to see this current version of Murray being as good. However, mainly as a result of the easy time he had in the opening round, Murray may well have enough to repeat that three-set win from 2020 here.
Prediction: Murray in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
