Bucharest R1 previews and picks: Stakhovsky vs. Coric, Youzhny vs. Copil

An intriguing first-round matchup in Bucharest pits Sergiy Stakhovsky against Borna Coric. Mikhail Youzhny and Marius Copil are also in action.

Borna Coric vs. Sergiy Stakhovsky

Stakhovsky and Coric will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers and for the second time this season when they clash in round one of the BDR Nastase Tiriac Trophy on Monday. Their only previous encounter came on the indoor hard courts of Zagreb, where Stakhovsky cruised 6-2, 6-4.

Although that was played in Coric’s home country, Stakhovsky obviously had a huge surface advantage. That will not be the case this time around, as the Ukrainian is least comfortable on clay. However, Stakhovsky has been in solid form throughout 2015 and he advanced one round in Monte-Carlo before losing to Tomas Berdych. Coric, who owns half of his career ATP-level match wins already this year (seven of 14), was dealt a tough draw in Monte-Carlo and fell to Alexandr Dolgopolov in three sets. The up-and-coming Croat should be able to extend points long enough on clay to survive a competitive match.

Pick: Coric in 3

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Mikhail Youzhny vs. Marius Copil

Only time will tell if Youzhny is on his last legs of professional tennis life, but that certainly appears to be the case as things have only gotten worse for him in 2015 after a disappointing 2014 campaign. The 32-year-old Russian is just 4-8 on the season and toiling outside the top 50 in the world rankings. Florian Mayer’s first match in more than 12 months came against Youzhny last week in Monte-Carlo and the German rolled in straight sets.

Up first for Youzhny in Bucharest is a first-ever meeting with Copil. The 24-year-old Romanian has won three ATP-level matches this season, although two of those came in lower-level Davis Cup action against Israel. Copil notched his other victory at the Australian Open (d. Pablo Andujar) before he succumbed to Stan Wawrinka. With home-court advantage and playing on a surface he does not mind, Copil should be able to take advantage of a slumping opponent.

Pick: Copil in 3

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