Washington R1 previews and predictions: Murray vs. McDonald, Wawrinka vs. Young

Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka will kick off their summer hard-court swings on Monday in Washington, D.C. A busy first day of action will see Murray run into Mackenzie McDonald while Wawrinka is facing Donald Young.

Andy Murray vs. Mackenzie McDonald

Former world No. 1 Andy Murray will take another stab at a comeback in Washington, D.C. after a hip injury and surgery left him sidelined since his loss in the quarterfinals at Wimbledon in 2017. The Scot made an attempt to prepare for this year’s Wimbledon, but he lost two of the three matches he played in grass tune-up events at Queen’s Club and Eastbourne, and he ultimately decided he wasn’t ready to compete.

Murray, whose ranking has dropped to No. 838 in the world, restarts his comeback against a tricky opponent in Mackenzie McDonald. The American currently sits at a career-high No. 77 in the world, thanks in part to an inspired effort at Wimbledon a few weeks ago. McDonald battled his way into the round of 16, where he finally lost to Canada’s Milos Raonic.

Murray and McDonald have never played each other. Under normal (healthy) circumstances, Murray would be the considerable favorite, but the former world No. 1 has a lot of rust to shake off and his health is still a question mark. Combine that with the fact that McDonald has hot hands at the moment and is likely brimming with confidence, and this is a match Murray is more likely to lose than to win.

Cheryl pick: McDonald in 2

Ricky pick: Murray in 2

[polldaddy poll=10067864]

(WC) Stan Wawrinka vs. (Q) Donald Young

Like Murray, Stan Wawrinka is still trying to make his way back from injury. He had double knee surgery in 2017, and while he has been active for most of 2018, the Swiss Grand Slam champion has had an absolutely miserable time of it. He owns a dismal 6-10 match record on the year and has only managed to win consecutive matches at the 250 event in Sofia (he won two matches there).

Fortunately for Wawrinka, his opponent is a badly struggling Donald Young. He has won exactly one tour-level match the entire year. The American spent some of the season on the Challenger circuit in an effort to boost his ranking, but his results there have been similarly disappointing.

The two men have played four times. Wawrinka has won the last three, with the American nabbing his only win way back in 2011. Despite Wawrinka’s obvious rust, this is still a match he should be able to win.

Cheryl pick: Wawrinka in 3

Ricky pick: Wawrinka in 2

[polldaddy poll=10067863]