We've got three first-round picks from the China Open in Beijing today, and there's at least one match that should be genuinely interesting to watch. Let's get into it.
China Open Predictions
Alexander Bublik vs Jakub Mensik
Head-to-head: Bublik 1-2 Mensik
Mensik has already beaten Bublik twice, and the 19-year-old has been one of the best stories on tour this year, picking up his first title and consistently beating players ranked well above him. Bublik is always dangerous when his serve is clicking and he's in the mood, but his results have been patchy for most of the year and Mensik is simply the more reliable player right now.
This one could go three sets. Bublik will steal a set if he gets hot, and these two have shown they can go deep against each other. But I think Mensik closes it out.
Prediction: Mensik in 3
Alexander Zverev vs Cameron Norrie
Head-to-head: Zverev 8-0 Norrie
Eight wins, zero losses. Norrie has genuinely never taken a set off Zverev in eight attempts, and there's no reason to think Beijing changes that. Norrie's ranking has slipped and his year has been a quiet one and Zverev on a fast hard court is about as bad a draw as you can get at this stage of the tournament. Hard to see this being competitive at all.
Prediction: Zverev in 3
Alex De Minaur vs Mariano Navone
Head-to-head: Minaur 1-0 Navone
De Minaur's year has been a complicated one given his injury layoff after Wimbledon, and it's still not totally clear where his form and fitness are at. That said, Navone is primarily a clay-court player and the hard courts in Beijing, which play notably fast, don't suit his game nearly as well, and De Minaur on any fast surface is a tough puzzle for someone who relies on heavy topspin and slow-ball construction.
Feel like De Minaur gets through here, even if it takes three sets to do it, all things considered.
Prediction: Minaur in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Horacio Zamora/eyepix via ZUMA Press Wire