Former champion Taylor Fritz will get his ATP Tokyo campaign underway on Thursday in a tricky opening match against power-hitting Gabriel Diallo. That is one of a handful of interesting matches on the schedule. Who will reach the next round?
ATP Tokyo Day 2 Predictions
Tomas Machac vs Sho Shimabukuro
Head-to-head: first meeting
Machac was a semifinalist in Tokyo last season. It was a stunning run from the Czech, who took out the trio of Popyrin, Paul, and Michelsen to make the last four, where he was beaten by Ugo Humbert. Shimabukuru was imperious in qualifying, beating the Argentinian duo of Mariano Navone and Juan Manuel Cerundolo without the loss of a set. But the home qualifier’s chances of progressing further in the main draw are very slim as he faces one of the top performers on hard courts this season.
Prediction: Machac in 2
Alex Michelsen vs Ethan Quinn
Head-to-head: Quinn 1-0 Michelsen
This will be the first clash between Michelsen and Quinn on the ATP Tour, but they have previously played once on the ITF circuit, with Quinn winning in three sets just three years ago. Michelsen has enjoyed a sharper rise at the Tour level, and he’s a mainstay in the world’s Top 50, although Quinn is equally as talented and might just be the more disciplined in the rallies.
Prediction: Quinn in 3
Holger Rune vs Hamad Medjedovic
Head-to-head: Medjedovic 1-0 Rune
This will be a rematch of the Davis Cup singles rubber from earlier this year. While Denmark did complete a comeback victory to win the tie 3-2, Serbia’s Medjedovic upstaged Rune in one of the singles matches. And with Rune experiencing fluctuating form since the US Open (two wins from six matches), Medjedovic won’t lack the self-belief to cause another shock.
Prediction: Medjedovic in 3
Gabriel Diallo vs Taylor Fritz
Head-to-head: Fritz 2-0 Diallo
Fritz didn’t quite replicate his last year’s US Open exploits when he returned to New York last month, but he was integral in Team World’s success at the Laver Cup last weekend. He defeated both Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev in singles. Diallo has been steadily rising in the rankings this season, and he’s got an ATP title in the bag. For all the scrutinyFritz faces, he regularly finds solutions in these types of matches. The American is too consistent to let this slip.
Prediction: Fritz in 3
Main Photo Credit: John E. Sokolowski – Imagn Images
