Aug 31, 2023; Flushing, NY, USA; Andy Murray of Great Britain hits Grigor Dimitrov on day four of the 2023 US Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
The ATP 500 event in Beijing kicks off with some compelling round one matches. Here we take a look at the matches and some predictions.
ATP Beijing Day 1 Predictions
Ugo Humbert against Lorenzo Sonego
Head to head: Sonego 2-1 Humbert
Ugo Humbert is the higher ranked player, but Lorenzo Sonego leads the head-to-head leading 2-1. In the pair’s fourth meeting on the ATP Tour, Humbert will look to increase the score. It will not be an easy task as the Italian seems to have the Frenchman’s number, although Sonego may lack match practice having been out of action since losing in the second round of the US Open.
Prediction: Sonego in 2
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Lloyd Harris vs. Tomas Etcheverry
Head to head: first meeting
Lloyd Harris had a good start in China. After the second round in Zhuhai, the South African began his qualifying week at the ATP Beijing Open, winning with a comfortable victory over fifth seed Daniel Altmaier and former world #17 Cristian Garinto made the main draw . But Tomas Martin Etcheverry has had a very good season, and is in good form. He was the fifth seed in Zhuhai and made it to the quarterfinals. It may be a tough ask for Harris to land the Argentine
Prediction: Etcheverry in 2
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina against Yi Zhou
Head to head: first meeting
Chinese Wildcard Yi Zhou wants to cause trouble in his homeland. But Alejandro Davidovich Fokina is not an easy opponent. The Spaniard should have the better of the Chinese player.
Prediction: Davidovich Fokina in 2
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Matteo Arnaldi Vs. JJWolf
Head to head: first meeting
An interesting combination of these. Matteo Arnaldi, the Italian qualifier, against JJ Wolf, the American qualifier. Only a few places separated them in the rankings and both played well enough to enter the main draw. This is a match that should be of high quality as both aim for the second round, but hopefully Wolf will have the edge.
Prediction: Wolf at 3
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Alex de Minaur vs. Andy Murray
Head to head: de Minaur 4-0 Murray
A bad draw Andy Murray, who was unsuccessful against Alex de Minaur, lost all four of their previous matches. The Briton made his way back into the rankings after an impressive and now sits in the top 40, wanting to stop the rot against the Australian, but de Minaur is confident that he will once again have the measure of Murray. Murray has struggled of late against the top players, and although a first-round exit here is unlikely, de Minaur could prove too strong.
Prediction: de Minaur in 3
Main photo credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports