Three second-round picks from the Chengdu Open today, with rain threatening at 77°F and a 100% chance of showers making things interesting outdoors. Let's get into it.
Chengdu Open Predictions
Juan Manuel Cerundolo vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Head-to-head: Cerundolo 0-4 Fokina
Four meetings, zero wins for Cerundolo, and there's no real reason to think that changes today. Fokina is the higher-ranked player and has clearly had Cerundolo's number across different surfaces and stages of their careers. Cerundolo is a solid player on his day but the H2H here is about as one-sided as it gets between two players at this level.
Prediction: Davidovich Fokina in 3
Alejandro Tabilo vs Adrian Mannarino
Head-to-head: First meeting
Tabilo has been one of the more quietly impressive players on tour over the last year or so, and Mannarino at rank 78 is coming in as a clear underdog on a hard court. Mannarino's game, all slices and angles and awkward redirections, can cause problems for anyone on the right day, but Tabilo is ranked 46 spots higher for good reason and should have enough firepower to handle it, all things considered.
Prediction: Tabilo in 3
Martin Damm vs Hubert Hurkacz
Head-to-head: Damm 1-0 Hurkacz
Yes, Damm leads the H2H, but let's not get carried away. Hurkacz has had a rough stretch and is down to 46 in the rankings, but he's still a big-serving hard-court threat and Damm at 106 in the world is a significant step below him. That said, the one prior win is a fun footnote, but Hurkacz's serve alone, which has bailed him out in plenty of tight matches, makes him dangerous on this surface and I think he gets through this without too much drama.
Prediction: Hurkacz in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © SIPA USA