The first round matches at the 2019 Zhuhai Open will continue on Tuesday, September 24th, 2019 as the top men’s players in the world take to court. Get the latest Tennys Sandgren v Andy Murray and Steve Johnson v Pablo Andujar tips and predictions with their previews along with other matches can be found below.
Get the best odds for the ATP Chengdu Open 2019 with 888Sport here.[the_ad_group id=”1639″]
*Geo-restrictions apply & pre-funded account needed
Tennys Sandgren v Andy Murray Preview
In a repeat of their Winston Salem clash right before the US Open, Tennys Sandgren and Andy Murray meet in the opening round again at the ATP Zhuhai Open.
Former world number one Andy Murray is recovering from hip surgery and has balanced out his return, picking and choosing his tournaments, and will be making a noteworthy appearance on the Asian swing over the next few weeks.
The Scot has appeared in both singles and doubles matches as part of his comeback and while feeling well, and relatively happy with his form, he has felt he is slower than earlier, and will want to work himself into fitness gradually over a period of time.
Tennys Sandgren had a good start to the season in 2018, defeating Dominic Theim and Stanislas Wawrinka at the Australian Open, breaking into the top 50 in the ATP rankings. Although an average year followed, he got off to another strong start this season winning his first ever title at the ATP 250 in Auckland and being ranked number 41 in the world thereafter.
Despite a fourth round appearance at Wimbledon and a round of 32 at the US Open, the American has struggled with consistency and is ranked outside of the top 75 in the world at the moment.
Although Sandgren prevailed in their encounter a month or so ago, it was more to do with Murray not quite match fit, than any brilliance on Sandgren’s part. While this could go the same way, the British player will probably be a little further ahead on match fitness having played the ATP Challenger in Spain late last month. Expect Murray to prevail this time around.
Tip: Murray to win in three sets: 5/2 with 888Sport
Steve Johnson v Pablo Andujar Preview
This will be the second meeting between the players, with their only meeting dating back to a tight three-setter which the Spaniard Andujar won in Indian Wells in 2013.
Neither player has been in great form of late, and both their games have seen better days. Andujar did well to make the second week at the US Open, but that more aided by the draw than his heroics, only to end with a one-sided loss to Gael Monfils. A clay court specialist in his heyday, the Spaniard did well to win a title in 2018, after four years, at Marrakesh.
Being ranked just outside the top 20 in 2016, American Steve Johnson has been deeply affected by the loss of his coach and father couple seasons ago and never been the same player. He is currently ranked just within the top 100 and has been attempting to get back to his winning ways, but struggled with consistency and form.
A match between two players trying to revive their seasons and careers lies ahead. The outcome could go either way, but the surface and conditions may just help the American prevail in a close three-setter.
Tip: Johnson to win in three sets: 5/2 with 888Sport
Alex de Minaur v John Millman Preview
In a first meeting between these Aussies, 20-year-old Alex de Minaur plays 10 years his senior John Millman
Alex de Minaur has gone from strength to strength in the last two seasons. He won his second ATP title earlier this summer on the hard courts of the BB&T Open in Atlanta, and followed it with a fourth round appearance at the US Open defeating top ten ranked Kei Nishikori on the way.
He was ranked just outside the top 20 in the world and is currently ranked number 30, with a promising future ahead of him on the ATP tour.
After defeating Roger Federer in the fourth round of the US Open in 2018, and making the quarter-finals, John Millman has not had much to report on the tour. He was ranked 33rd in the world after last year’s US Open, but has seen his rankings fall to just within the top 80 now and is low on confidence and form currently.
While Millman has the experience and skills to return to his 2018 form, the young Aussie de Minaur has a lot to play for and end a good season even better. De Minaur has been in good form and is the better player at the moment and expect him to win this in two tight sets.
Tip: De Minaur to win in straight sets: 11/10 with 888Sport
Casper Ruud v Miomir Kecmanovic Preview
In a battle of 20-year-olds, Casper Ruud and Miomir Kecmanovic meet in the main draw of the ATP tour for the first time. Both players have been ranked around the number 50 mark for the second half of this season now.
Ruud has had some consistent runs this year, primarily on clay during both the Latin American and European clay swings and exhibited his skills consistently on his favored surface.
Kecmanovic on the other hand, seems to prefer the hard courts, with convincing wins against Felix Auger-Aliassime and Alexander Zverev at the ATP Masters 1000 in Cincinnati. He also reached his first ever ATP final on the grass courts of Antalya right before Wimbledon.
An exciting battle between two rising young stars on the cards; expect Kecmanovic to prevail, given his favored surface, in three sets.
Tip: Kecmanovic to win in three sets 11/10 with 888Sport