No. 4 seed Ben Shelton is one of the favorites to claim this year’s Mubadala Citi Open title. The American has been very consistent at the Majors in 2025, while not finding the same success elsewhere. Maybe it’s time to try to get rid of that trope as he kicks off his campaign against Mackenzie McDonald on Tuesday. Who do you think will advance to the next round at ATP Washington?
ATP Washington Day 2 Predictions
Zachary Svajda vs Miomir Kecmanovic
Head-to-head: First meeting
Zachary Svajda revived his career during the grass-court swing this year, going 14-3 and ending it in Newport with his 4th Challenger title. The American then took a week off before defeating Bernard Tomic and Yosuke Watanuki in the qualifying here. Svajda’s playstyle is a bit quirky, and he’ll need to be locked in to defeat Miomir Kecmanovic without having any major weapons. But with all the confidence he’s gathered recently and that trademark backhand up-the-line, maybe this is his moment?
Prediction: Svajda in 3
Jaume Munar vs Marcos Giron
Head-to-head: 1-1
Before this year, it was undoubtedly Marcos Giron who was the stronger hard-court player of the two. But Jaume Munar spent a lot of time in the off-season trying to adapt his game for quicker conditions, and he’s now reaping the rewards. In fact, he’s been far better on hard this year than on clay. This new and improved version of his game could also grant him a shot at Marcos Giron, who won’t have the weaponry to easily put him away and will need to engage in a slogfest.
Prediction: Munar in 3
Ben Shelton vs Mackenzie McDonald
Head-to-head: Shelton 1-0
Ben Shelton made the semifinals in Washington last year, and while the American seemingly doesn’t bring his best level outside of the Slams, he has to be one of the main contenders to take the title here. Seeing him battle against a representative of the previous generation of US tennis should be pretty fun, but Mackenzie McDonald is also quite far off his peak right now. Shelton will probably make his way through, especially if he finds his top intensity.
Prediction: Shelton in 2
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke – Imagn Images
