Montpelier has traditionally followed the Australian Open for a long time now but even so it always manages to deliver some very interesting and high quality indoor ATP tennis every year and this edition will surely not be an exception. Day 2 will feature the conclusion of the first round, with some really exciting matches in prospect.
ATP Montpelier Day 2 Predictions
Titouan Droguet vs Jan Choinski
Head-to-head: Droguet 1-1 Choinski
Droguet won a relatively close two setter when the pair faced in the first round of the Australian Open qualifiers last month and he is once again a slight favorite here, especially playing on home soil. In any case, there is not really that much to separate the two players and it should be a tight affair, decided by a few key points.
Prediction: Droguet in 3
Andrea Vavassori vs Ugo Blanchet
Head-to-head: first meeting
Vavassori is one of the strongest doubles players in the world, but in singles he is nowhere near as imposing. Still, this should be quite a tight matchup and there is no clear favorite, with the winner ultimately likely to come down to whoever executes better on the most important points. Playing at home might give Blanchet a very slight edge here.
Prediction: Blanchet in 3
Moise Kouame vs Aleksandar Kovacevic
Head-to-head: first meeting
Kovacevic played arguably the best tournament of his career at this venue last year, beating Andrey Rublev in the semis and only losing the final to Felix Auger-Aliassime in the third set tiebreak. He will be hoping for another strong run this year and, at least on paper, he got a very kind first round draw against the World #551 and should prevail here.
Prediction: Kovacevic in 2
Hubert Hurkacz vs Martin Damm
Head-to-head: first meeting
Hurkacz has finally returned to the Tour after a long injury absence, and if there is a surface where he is particularly dangerous it’s on a indoor hard court. When his serve is clicking he is a player no wants to face; looking at the draw he is one of the obvious pick as a candidate to lift the trophy on the final Sunday.
Prediction: Hurkacz in 2
Main Photo Credit: Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports