The ATP Winston-Salem Open is the last men’s build-up event before the US Open. Sebastian Baez is the defending champion and the #1 seed this year. The slate has seven exciting first-round matches and will be divided into two articles. As always, we here at LWOT will offer our predictions for every match on the slate for Day 1. But who will advance?
ATP Winston-Salem Day 1 Predictions
Reilly Opelka vs Zizou Bergs
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Reilly Opelka has lost his last two matches but shouldn’t be highly disappointed as he has managed to keep himself injury-free since his comeback. Taking Ben Shelton to two tiebreaks will give him confidence and this week can be huge for Opelka. Zizou Bergs has played some good tennis at times, this year, but hasn’t been consistent. He hasn’t played much tennis on hard courts but looked decent against Alex Michelsen in Cincinnati. Facing Opelka’s big serve will be very difficult for Bergs given his lack of matches on this surface. I will take the American wild card in a three-setter.
Prediction: Opelka in 3
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Botic van de Zandschulp vs Arthur Cazaux
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Botic van de Zandschulp is a former semifinalist at the Winston-Salem Open but hasn’t played any tennis on hard courts recently. It has been a horrible year for him but he did find some wins in July in the Challenger Tour. Arthur Cazaux has played a full North American hardcourt swing so far. Despite winning only two matches he is more used to the surface than his opponent. It’s hard to trust Zandschulp’s level so I will stick to the player with more match practice.
Prediction: Cazaux in 3
Borna Coric vs Sumit Nagal
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Borna Coric is still finding his best tennis which won him big titles and almost got him inside the Top 10. It looked like he was playing better in Montreal but then he lost in the first round in Cincinnati. However, he has accumulated a lot of matches on hard courts and will back himself to go deep this week. Sumit Nagal has been impressive this year but he plays his best tennis on clay. Nagal has a big forehand but Coric will overpower him on serve and backhand.
Prediction: Coric in 2
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Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
