Doubles partners Nick Kyrgios and Viktor Troicki will be aiming for spots in the Chengdu quarterfinals on Thursday. Kyrgios is kicking off his campaign against Kevin Anderson, while Troicki is facing Marcos Baghdatis.
Kevin Anderson vs. (2) Nick Kyrgios
Kyrgios and Anderson will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers when they collide in round two of the Chengdu Open on Thursday. Even though Kyrgios’ 2016 campaign has been up and down on the court (and relatively controversy free off the court), he currently registers at a career-high ranking of No. 15 in the world. The 21-year-old had momentum heading into the U.S. Open following his second career ATP title in Atlanta and he dominated his first two matches in straight sets, but he was forced to retire against Illya Marchenko because of a hip injury. Kyrgios put those concerns mostly to rest when he helped his country get back in the Davis Cup World Group by winning a playoff rubber 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 over Slovakia’s Andrej Martin.
Pick: Kyrgios in 3
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(6) Viktor Troicki vs. Marcos Baghdatis
Troicki and Baghdatis will be squaring off for the seventh time in their careers on Thursday. Baghdatis is leading the head-to-head series 5-1 (all on hard courts), including 4-1 at the ATP level. The two veterans most recently faced each other early this season in Dubai, where the Cypriot got the job done 7-6(2), 6-2. Troicki’s lone victory came via a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 decision in the 2010 St. Petersburg title match.
Baghdatis survived rain-delayed thriller against an in-form Pablo Carreno Busta to advance to the Chengdu second round. Their showdown got pushed back from Tuesday to Wednesday at 5-5 in the third set, after which Baghdatis ended up prevailing 6-7(5), 7-6(5), 7-6(5). The world No. 36 is now 24-18 for the year, which includes a recent fourth-round performance at the U.S. Open. Troicki benefited from a favorable opening-round draw and beat 17-year-old wild card Casper Ruud 6-3, 7-6(4) on Wednesday. The 32nd-ranked Serb is 27-23 for the season and coming off a quarterfinal finish in St. Petersburg (lost to eventual champion Stan Wawrinka). Unless Troicki enjoys another serving day like he turned against Ruud (17 aces and no double-faults), his struggles against Baghdatis should continue.
Pick: Baghdatis in 2
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Baghdatis in three and Kyrgios in two
Wish I could have seen the Bagman vs PCB match….sounds like it was a thriller. Bagman in straight over Troicki.