As the dust settles on the first week of the game in Adelaide, a new cadre of players are getting ready to take to the courts in South Australia’s capital. An entertaining first day of tennis should be at the Memorial Park Drive Tennis Center and as always we here at LWOT provide our predictions for every match on the list. But who will reach the ATP second round at the Adelaide International?
ATP Adelaide predictions 2 day 2
Kyle Edmund vs. Miomir Kecmanović
face to face: Edmund 1-0 Kecmanovic
Miomir Kecmanović started his 2022 career at a breakneck pace but never reached that peak again for the rest of the season. Despite that, it must be said that he still has his fair share of highlights, with a number of ATP quarter-final appearances punctuating his resume last year. Although his forehand has chalk and cheesy moments, for the most part Kecmanovic can handle the business through sheer toughness alone.
Unfortunately, Kyle Edmund is unlikely to be more than a business for Kecmanović. His match against Yannick Sinner last week in Adelaide showed Edmund is far from ready to put up a fight on the comeback, meaning it will only be a matter of time before Kecmanovic secures the crucial rest breaks he needs. There is still work to be done on Edmund’s return.
Prediction: Kecmanovic at 2
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Brandon Nakashima vs. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
face to face: first meeting
They have been slim picks for Alejandro Davidovich Fokina since he ran in the Monte Carlo final last year. He did not reach another semi-final for the rest of the year and ended his season with a five-game winning streak. On the other hand, this streak consists of four indoor hard court championships, terms that reward great service that is not Davidovich Fokina’s wheelhouse. This was also on the back of her fourth round showing at the US Open.
The Spaniard does not play completely As bad as some think but it won’t make much difference against Brandon Nakashima. US stocks are on the rise Quickly He captured his first titles in San Diego and the Next Generation ATP Finals with effective serve games and backhands made of steel. It’s hard to tell the limit for Nakashima – in the circumstances, against a player who lacks some confidence, this should be relatively obvious.
Prediction: Nakashima on 2
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Dan Evans vs. Mackenzie McDonald
face to face: Evans 1-0 McDonald
When watching Dan Evans at times, it’s hard not to get swept away. He is truly one of the best defenders in the game, his chip is practically unattackable, shots often fall off his front wing. He fully deserves to be a member of the top 30 in the world and is arguably the best in the business at what he does.
Herein lies the problem though. What does Dan Evans do? Considered relatively unique among the top 100, his height forced him forward for a spectacular points finish at the net while preventing him from hitting his opponents’ passing aces. Evans’ matches will always be gritty and exciting – you can expect the same from fellow miller in Mackenzie McDonald, whose backhand should be able to stand the test of Evans’ chip. We expect a brave three sets with Evans’ tipping genius.
Prediction: Evans at 3
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Tanasi Kokkinakis vs. Alexei Popyrin
face to face: first meeting
Dominated in the forehand, tall enough for free serve points, mediocre returns and backhands and injury-prone – Alexei Popyrin and Thanasi Kokkinakis are Australians born from the same cloth, playing top 100 ATP regular tennis. Provided none of the players suffer from those aforementioned injuries, this should be pretty close as the spoils will likely be separated via a tiebreaker at some point during the match.
As we assessed both players very similarly, we will give preference to the player who has had the most promising results lately – Popyrin’s four-match series in the Adelaide Championship last week was impressive, particularly his victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Prediction: Popyrin at 3
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