Andrey Rublev and Diego Schwartzman have made a short trek over from the Laver Cup and will headline the San Diego schedule on Wednesday. They are set for respective meetings with Brandon Nakashima and Lloyd Harris.
(1) Andrey Rublev vs. (WC) Brandon Nakashima
Although Rublev has cooled off a bit since a blistering hot start to the season, a decent U.S. hard-court swing has him in line to clinch a spot in the Nitto ATP Finals as early as next fortnight in Indian Wells. The 23-year-old Russian is fifth in the race to Turin, miles ahead of seventh and eighth. Rublev finished runner-up in Cincinnati before losing to Frances Tiafoe in a five-setter during third-round action at the U.S. Open. He then suited up for Laver Cup duty for Team Europe, completely dominating in doubles and beating Diego Schwartzman 4-6, 6-3, 11-9 in a singles rubber.
Rublev now makes his San Diego Open debut against Nakashima on Wednesday evening. A native of San Diego, Nakashima treated the home crowd to a 6-7(5), 6-1, 7-5 victory over Fabio Fognini on Monday. One of the ATP’s breakout stars in 2021, the 20-year-old American has won 12 main-tour matches this season and is up to career-high ranking of 83rd in the world. However, this is only Nakashima’s second-ever match against anyone in the top 20 (previously lost to Alexander Zverev in round two of the 2020 U.S. Open). This should be entertaining, but Rublev is likely too tough of a test at this point in Nakashima’s career.
Pick: Rublev in 2
Lloyd Harris vs. (6) Diego Schwartzman
Schwartzman and Harris will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers on Wednesday. Their only previous encounter came in round one of the 2020 Australian Open, where Schwartzman cruised 6-4, 6-2, 6-2. The 15th-ranked Argentine has not been as good in 2021 as he was in 2020, but he has advanced multiple rounds at six consecutive tournaments dating back to the French Open.
Harris is enjoying the best season of his life (25-18 at the ATP level) and registers one spot off his career-high ranking at No. 32 in the world. The South African needed three sets to overcome Chris Eubanks on Tuesday, while Schwartzman opened with a 6-2, 6-3 rout of qualifier Federico Gaio. This will be a lot more competitive than their first meeting, but Schwartzman looks motivated this week as he prepares for Indian Wells and should once again have the edge.
Pick: Schwartzman in 2
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