Four of the eight seeds are already out at the Queen’s Club. The remaining seeds must be extra careful as the second-round matches begin on Wednesday. Andy Murray won his first match since Miami and will be in action against another Australian player. As always, we here at LWOT will offer our predictions for every match on the slate for Day 3. But who will advance to the next round?
ATP Queen’s Club Day 3 Predictions
Matteo Arnaldi vs Rinky Hijikata
Head-to-Head: Arnaldi 0-1 Hijikata
It’s been exciting to see Matteo Arnaldi consistently rise up the rankings. After a successful French Open, Arnaldi saved a match point to win against a dangerous opponent on fast courts. Arnaldi was very effective behind his first serve and will need that in his second-round match. Rinky Hijikata has had some good wins on grass in his short career and has been impressive so far at the Queen’s Club. Hijikata won the match when these two met early in the year but I expect Arnaldi to return the favour.
Prediction: Arnaldi in 3
Milos Raonic vs Taylor Fritz
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Milos Raonic created a new ace record in a best-of-three match in his first-round match. He hit 47 aces, which would be terrifying for his opponents. It was an outrageous serving display from Raonic and he would hope to replicate that against Taylor Fritz. Fritz did not show any signs of rustiness and put up a clinical performance in his first-round match against Taro Daniel. Raonic is serving bombs but if Fritz can return a few serves and make him run he will be in trouble as the Canadian’s fitness and movement are below average. Fritz can take care of his service games with his own big serve and will hope to create some chances on return games.
Prediction: Fritz in 3
Grigor Dimitrov vs Sebastian Korda
Head-to-Head: Dimitrov 1-1 Korda
Grigor Dimitrov made a statement win against a good grass court player in Adrian Mannarino. He lost just three games and was playing flawless tennis throughout the match. he is in great form and this surface suits his tennis the most. It would take a great performance to beat Dimitrov here. Sebastian Korda is capable of delivering such performance but has he got the tank full after reaching the final of the Libema Open last week? It should be a good match but Dimitrov is the fresher of the two and should just nudge it.
Prediction: Dimitrov in 3
Andy Murray vs Jordan Thompson
Head-to-Head: Murray 0-1 Thompson
Andy Murray got his first match win since March at the Miami Open. The five-time Queen’s Club champion performed inspired despite not looking 100% physically. It was a convincing win considering Murray’s recent standards. He served quite well and will have the belief to win against Jordan Thompson. The Australian player was brilliant in his win over Holger Rune and these fast conditions with low bounce suits his game. It’s not ideal to go against Murray on grass but Thompson has been very solid and will make it hard for Murray.
Prediction: Thompson in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
