Many players will begin their North American hard court season as the ATP 500 event in Washington gets under way. There is a good balance in the draw of top players, future young stars and veterans of tennis. Miami Open quarterfinalist Emil Ruusuvuori is one of the players in action on the first day. We have two separate articles for the other matches on day 1. These include Gael Monfils vs Bjorn Fratangelo and Mackenzie McDonald vs Diego Schwartzman.
ATP Washington Day 1 Predictions
Aslan Karatsev vs Kiranpal Pannu
Head-to-head: First meeting
The #715 ranked Pannu has never won a main draw match, with his most notable contest being in the first round of the Auckland Open against Richard Gasquet, on the way to the Frenchman winning the title. He has done well though to come through the qualifying stages for this tournament. No one can doubt the considerable talent of Karatsev, and that is why he has an Australian Open semifinal in 2021 to his name. But he has been struggling to string consistent runs of results together for a long time. This is his first tournament since he pushed Andrey Rublev very hard in the second round at Wimbledon. Pannu does have talent, but if Karatsev plays even half as well as he did in that match he should come through this one.
Prediction: Karatsev in 2
Maxime Cressy vs Alexander Shevchenko
Head-to-head: First meeting
It has been a truly terrible few months for Maxime Cressy. Since his run to the final at the ATP 250 event in Montpellier he has barely been able to win a match. Cressy did manage a win in the opening round in Atlanta last week but that was against an undoubtedly fatigued Alex Michelsen after the teenager’s shock run to the final at Newport the previous week. Shevchenko has also been struggling for wins in the last few months, and will be hoping he has more luck back on hard courts after a fruitless period on grass and clay. Both players are very aggressive–Cressy with his serve and volleying, and Shevchenko seeking to hit big from the back of the court. I think the Washington conditions will help Cressy get another win with his unique style.
Prediction: Cressy in 3
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Emil Ruusuvuori vs Constant Lestienne
Head-to-head: Ruusuvuori 1-1 Lestienne
Ruusuvuori has had a slight dip in form the last few weeks since his run to the semifinals at the start of June on the grass courts in Hertogenbosch. The good news for the Finnish player is that any struggles he is having are far less than his opponent. Lestienne has lost 14 of his 19 matches this season on the ATP tour, and only managed one win in the last six tournaments. Ruusuvuori also beat Lestienne on the outdoor hard courts of Indian Wells earlier this season, although Lestienne did have to retire at 6-4 4-1 down. The Frenchman does have a style that can be awkward when he is playing well, but I see no evidence to suggest he will manage to trouble Ruusuvuori in this one.
Prediction: Ruusuvuori in 2
Marcos Giron vs Radu Albot
Head-to-head: First meeting
Giron is the perfect example of a solid competitor on the ATP tour who goes about his business quietly and unassumingly. He has won about as often as he has lost this year, (16-18 win/loss) has not won a career title but sits comfortably in the rankings currently at #62. Both Giron and Albot are gritty competitors and there will certainly be plenty of long rallies for the fans in the stadium to enjoy. I expect the American to prevail in front of his home fans. At 33-years-old Albot is not the player he once was, and has been struggling for wins on the Challenger circuit in recent weeks. His attitude will not be in question but it will require Giron being well below par for him to lose this one.
Prediction: Giron in 2
Main Photo Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
