Three picks from the China Open today in Beijing, and there's a decent mix of form versus history across the board. Who do you think comes through?
China Open Predictions
Francisco Cerundolo vs Jakub Mensik
Head-to-head: Cerundolo 2-0 Mensik
Cerundolo leads the head-to-head 2-0, but Mensik has improved dramatically since those losses and is now ranked inside the top 15 at just 19 years old. The Czech plays with a lot of pace and variety off both wings and hard courts suit him far better than the clay conditions those earlier meetings were likely played on.
That said, Cerundolo is a tricky opponent for anyone and he's been solid in 2025. I feel like this one goes the distance, but Mensik's ceiling is higher right now and he should find a way through.
Prediction: Mensik in 3
Hubert Hurkacz vs Karen Khachanov
Head-to-head: Hurkacz 0-1 Khachanov
Hurkacz has had a rough stretch and dropping to 41 in the rankings tells the story, a far cry from the top-10 fixture he was not long ago. Khachanov isn't setting the world on fire either, but he's the more reliable ball-striker on hard courts right now and he's got the one H2H win to his name.
Khachanov wins this. Hurkacz needs something to click, and this probably isn't the match where it happens.
Prediction: Khachanov in 3
Andrey Rublev vs Roman Safiullin
Head-to-head: Rublev 0-1 Safiullin
Safiullin actually leads the H2H, which is a fun detail, but he's ranked 84th for a reason and Rublev at his best on hard courts is a completely different proposition. Rublev can be streaky and occasionally implodes when things go wrong, but against a compatriot he's beaten before in practice and knows well, the mental side should be fine.
I think Rublev gets through without too many real scares. That said, Safiullin will have his moments, but the level gap, wide enough over three sets, is too much to overcome.
Prediction: Rublev in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Horacio Zamora/eyepix via ZUMA Press Wire