A few picks from the first round of the Libema Open in 's-Hertogenbosch today, and the headline act is an all-Dutch derby to get things started on home soil for both players. Who do you think makes it through?
Libema Open Predictions
Tallon Griekspoor vs Botic Van De Zandschulp
Head-to-head: Griekspoor 3-2 Van De Zandschulp
These two know each other extremely well and the rivalry has been tight, but Griekspoor has the edge on grass and comes in the higher-ranked player by a decent margin. Van De Zandschulp's results on this surface have been inconsistent, and Griekspoor's big serve and flat ball-striking are exactly the weapons you want on a fast court like this one.
I think Griekspoor handles the occasion better and keeps it clean throughout.
Prediction: Griekspoor in 2
Nuno Borges vs Terence Atmane
Head-to-head: First meeting
These two have never faced each other before, and at nearly identical rankings it's genuinely hard to split them. Borges has been building nicely on tour and his serve is a real asset on grass, but Atmane is an aggressive ball-striker who can hurt you quickly when he's on. First meetings on grass tend to be tight and scrappy while both players figure each other out and that feels like exactly what we're getting here.
Borges in 3, but don't be surprised if it goes deep into the third.
Prediction: Borges in 3
Otto Virtanen vs Kamil Majchrzak
Head-to-head: Virtanen 1-0 Majchrzak
Majchrzak is the higher-ranked player here, but Virtanen is a genuine grass-court threat with a big serve and the kind of flat, direct hitting that travels well on fast surfaces. His ranking of 134 undersells him a bit for this kind of event. That said, Majchrzak is a solid clay-court grinder and grass isn't really his best stage, so the surface goes against him here, and Virtanen already has the head-to-head lead too.
Prediction: Virtanen in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Fares Chafai/ZUMA Press Wire