Winston-Salem R3 previews and predictions: Johnson vs. Munar, Chung vs. Berrettini

Steve Johnson and Hyeon Chung got their second-rounders in before more rain came down in Winston-Salem and they will be ready to go for third-round action on Wednesday. Johnson is facing Jaume Munar, while Chung meets Matteo Berrettini.

(8) Steve Johnson vs. Jaume Munar

All four of Johnson’s ATP titles–plus his one runner-up finish–have come at 250-point tournaments. Interestingly, he has triumphed twice on grass and twice on clay even though hard courts are probably his best surface. A hard-court title at the Winston-Salem Open would hardly be a surprise, as Johnson not only thrives at these kinds of events but is also in fine form at the moment. The 34th-ranked American lifted the trophy in Newport earlier this summer, tested eventual champion Novak Djokovic in the Cincinnati first round, and beat Tommy Paul 7-6(7), 6-2 on Tuesday.

Up next for Johnson on Wednesday is Munar, whom the No. 8 seed has never faced. Munar is making a name for himself this season, climbing exactly 100 spots in the rankings (185th to 85th) with eight of his nine career ATP-level match victories coming in 2018. The 21-year-old from Mallorca booked his spot in the third round by defeating Bayden Schnur and Andrey Rublev in straight sets. Johnson, however, has a clear edge in terms of experience, the surface, and home-court advantage.

Pick: Johnson in 2

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(6) Hyeon Chung vs. Matteo Berrettini

It will be a first-ever meeting between Chung and Berrettini when the two 22-year-olds collide during third-round action on Wednesday. Although Chung is by far the more well-known of the two, Berrettini is coming on strong while enjoying a breakout 2018 campaign. The Italian has earned all 16 of his career ATP-level match victories this season, propelling him from No. 135 in the rankings at the start of the year to his current mark of 60th. Berrettini captured a title on the red clay of Gstaad last month, reached the quarterfinals in Kitzbuhel, and so far this week has disposed of Julien Benneteau and Nikoloz Basilashvili in straight sets.

Chung seemed to be headed for a career year when made a semifinal run at the Australian Open and advanced to back-to-back quarters in Indian Wells and Miami. But physical problems have derailed the 23rd-ranked South Korean, who has won only four matches since early May and has not won multiple matches at any tournament during this slump. He will attempt to accomplish that feat on Wednesday after opening with a 7-6(4), 6-2 defeat of Guillermo Garcia-Lopez. Even though Berrettini may be at his best on clay, he is a capable all-court player and his confidence and current form are such that he should be able to pull off what would only be an upset on paper.

Pick: Berrettini in 3

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