Thomaz Bellucci will kick off his Nottingham campaign on Monday against Alexander Zverev. Meanwhile, first-round action is wrapping up with Tim Smyczek and James Ward on the schedule.
(WC) Alexander Zverev vs. Thomaz Bellucci
Bellucci and Zverev will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers when they clash in round two of the AEGON Open on Monday. Zverev has already made the most of his wild card, as he destroyed Mikhail Kukuhskin 6-0, 6-2 in his opener. The 18-year-old German has climbed to 76th in the rankings and he has plenty of grass-court experience already under his belt. Zverev also advanced to the second round in both Stuttgart and Halle earlier this month.
It would not be surprising to see the youngster’s 2015 run soar to new heights because Bellucci is by no means a force on grass. The 40th-ranked Brazilian is in fine form overall, but he would much rather contest this matchup on clay or at the very least a slow hard court. Bellucci, who made it the last 16 at Roland Garros, has not yet played a match on grass this season. A huge opportunity stands in front of Zverev, and he should be able to capitalize.
Pick: Zverev in 3
[polldaddy poll=8943292]
(WC) James Ward vs. Tim Smyczek
Ward has been an American killer in recent seasons, at least in Davis Cup. The Brit beat Sam Querrey in five sets in 2014 to help his country reach the quarterfinals and during first-round action this year he outlasted John Isner 15-13 in the fifth to once again lead Great Britain past the United States. Unfortunately for Ward, the rest of his season has been disappointing at best. In fact, the world No. 110’s only other ATP-level match victory has come in round one of the Zagreb Indoors (d. Andreas Seppi). Ward is coming off a respectable 5-7, 6-3, 6-2 loss to Milos Raonic at Queen’s Club.
Smyczek, who does by far his best work on hard courts and generally dislikes both clay and grass, also played at Queen’s Club and fell to fellow American Jared Donaldson 7-5, 3-6, 6-3. The world No. 72 has not earned an ATP-level win since the Miami first round back in March and he is 2-7 in his last nine matches overall. Ward will have the crowd behind him and a favorable surface under his feet, so the first-ever encounter between these two competitors could be straightforward.
Pick: Ward in 2
[polldaddy poll=8943291]
Reblogged this on Tennis Abides.