Some of the first round action at the 2021 Melbourne Summer Set will see Alexei Popyrin facing Stefano Travaglia and Chris O’Connell taking on Jordan Thompson. Get the live streaming options along the predictions, preview and head to head for these matches along with Mackenzie McDonald v Peter Gojowczyk and Adrian Mannarino v Botic van de Zandschulp.
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Adrian Mannarino v Botic van de Zandschulp Preview
In what will be their first meeting, Mannarino will hope his experience proves to be handy against the Dutchman but higher-ranked Botic van de Zandschulp.
Mannarino, however, will know he will be up against a bit of a form slump. While clay has never been his preferred surface, Mannarino’s record in 2021 on other surfaces was abysmal as well – winning just 14 and losing 19 matches in the process.
Van de Zandschulp, on the other hand, is on a roll and comes into this season having jumped to his career-best ranking of 57th in the world. Having been outside the top 200 in 2020, that was a huge improvement brought about his performances on the Challenger tour.
So much so, he then featured and made it to the semifinal of the St. Petersburg Open towards the end of the previous season – one of his best results at the highest level.
It won’t come as a surprise that van de Zandschulp is a heavy favourite here.
Mannarino v van de Zandschulp Tip
van de Zandschulp to win: 4/7 (bet365)
Alexei Popyrin v Stefano Travaglia Preview
The 61st-ranked Popyrin will be facing Travaglia, ranked 78th in what will be their second career meeting. In their first, Travaglia had carved out a straight-set win on the indoor hard court of Marseille in 2018.
Popyrin is coming off a solid last season, jumping from 114th in the world to his career-best of 59th. And other than breaking into the top 60 for the first time in his career, Popyrin, who had also been praised by Rafael Nadal, went on to win his first ever title in 2021.
That had come indoors in Singapore.
On the other hand, Travaglia had made it to the final at the Great Ocean Road Open at the start of the 2021 season but followed that up with a poor string of results.
So much so, Travaglia needed to get back to the Challenger circuit to try and get some rhythm going – his last main draw ATP win coming in July.
Popyrin, egged on by the home support, will be a favourite here.
Popyrin v Travaglia Tip
Popyrin to win: 1/2 (bet365)
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Jordan Thompson v Chris O’Connell Preview
Aussies Thompson and O’Connell will go up against each other for the first time ever in their careers.
While on paper this looks like it could end up being one-sided in favour of Thompson given the vast parity in the rankings of those two players – Thompson 75th to his opponent’s 175th, we expect this to be a fighting encounter that goes the distance.
This is to do with the kind of form both have shown – Thompson ended the previous season with a 12-14 win-loss record on hard court surfaces as compared to O’Connell who featured on Challenger circuit.
Expect a three-setter here.
O’Connell v Thompson Tip
Three sets in the match: 6/4 (bet365)
Mackenzie McDonald v Peter Gojowczyk Preview
55th-ranked McDonald will look to make it to the second round when he takes on Germany’s experienced pro Gojowczyk in his opener. And he will be a favourite too given the American is on the up-move as compared to Gojowczyk who had had a poor season end in 2021.
Gojowczyk will need to overturn a six-match losing streak as he faces his opponent who was a Washington Open finalist in August.
Since then, things didn’t quite go to plan for him but McDonald, who is just one spot away from his career-best rank, should take this one.
McDonald v Gojowczyk Tip
McDonald to win: 4/11 (bet365)
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The 2022 Melbourne Summer Set will be played from August 4-10. You can watch & bet on the these matches here. Get your latest premium tennis predictions here.
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