The European ATP indoor swing lands in Vienna with five matches on the cards on the first day. Last year’s runner up, Karen Khachanov, will be in action against Dutch star Tallon Griekspoor in what promises to be a real test for the Russian. Along with the other matches scheduled for the day, we predict who will make it to the next round.
ATP Vienna Day 1 Predictions
Luciano Darderi vs Brandon Nakashima
Head–to–Head: Darderi 1 – 0 Nakashima
Luciano Darderi has enjoyed considerable success on clay this year, securing three ATP titles, which has propelled his ranking to a career-high of no. #26 yet he has struggled on hard courts, with a record of 12 losses in 18 matches on the surface this year. He kicked off his indoor season at the Almaty Open but was eliminated in the second round by Shintaro Mochizuki after receiving a bye.
Brandon Nakashima also participated in the Almaty Open but suffered a similar fate, exiting at the same round. However, the American has shown consistency this year and the conditions in Vienna will favour him.
Prediction: Nakashima in 3
Alexander Bublik vs Alejandro Tabilo
Head–to–Head: First Meeting
Alejandro Tabilo had a remarkable Asian tour as he captured the title in Chengdu as a qualifier. He maintained his strong performance by qualifying for the Shanghai Masters, where he was eliminated in the second round by Felix Auger-Aliassime.
He will face Alexander Bublik who also won a title in Asia, securing victory at the Hangzhou Open last month marking his fourth win of an outstanding season, and he has reached a career-high ranking of #16. Although his Asian leg ended disappointingly with first-round losses in Beijing and Shanghai. Bublik’s serve has been a standout aspect of his successful season, and it is expected to be even more effective in Vienna as he aims to capture yet another title.
Prediction: Bublik in 3
Aleksandar Kovacevic vs Matteo Arnaldi
Head–to–Head: Kovacevic 0 – 2 Arnaldi
Aleksandar Kovacevic secured his spot in the Vienna Open after two tightly contested three-set qualifying matches. He snapped a five-match losing streak in Stockholm last week, although he only advanced to the second round before being defeated by Lorenzo Sonego. Kovacevic has reached two ATP finals and won a Challenger event this season, yet his performance has been lackluster for some time now.
In the first round, he will go up against Matteo Arnaldi, who has faced his own struggles lately but managed to qualify for the tournament as well. His indoor European season got off to a rough start in Brussels last week when he was eliminated in the first round by Yannick Hanfmann. Nevertheless, Arnaldi has had some bright spots this season, including reaching the quarter-finals in Madrid and making it to the semi-finals at Delray Beach. However, he has been unable to win consecutive main draw matches since July.
Arnaldi holds a 2-0 advantage in their head-to-head matchups, having won both encounters on outdoor hard courts, but the indoor conditions will favour Kovacevic’s game in this matchup, as the American has already reached a final on this surface this season in Marseille.
Prediction: Kovacevic in 3
Alex de Minaur vs Jurij Rodionov
Head–to–Head: De Minaur 0 – 1 Rodionov
Alex de Minaur had a fruitful Asian swing, but he may feel disappointed about not advancing further in the Shanghai Masters. Now, he is set to face lucky loser Jurij Rodionov in the first round of the Vienna Open.
Interestingly, Rodionov holds a 1-0 advantage in their head-to-head, having beaten De Minaur in Stuttgart four years ago. However, the Australian is expected to even the score with a win of his own here against the Austrian who is enduring a winless three match streak.
Prediction: De Minaur in 2
Karen Khachanov vs Tallon Griekspoor
Head–to–Head: Khachanov 0 – 1 Griekspoor
Karen Khachanov’s concerning performance persisted in Almaty last week as he lost in the second round to Jan-Lennard Struff after receiving a bye. This marks his fourth consecutive defeat, as he has not secured a victory on tour since his first-round match at the US Open. Khachanov had an impressive summer, reaching the quarter-finals or better in four straight tournaments, and he will be eager to regain that level of play before the season concludes.
He is set to face Tallon Griekspoor in the first round. The Dutch player also struggled to commence his indoor season, falling to Jacob Fearnley in the opening round of the Stockholm Open. Griekspoor showed signs of returning to form in Shanghai, making it to the Round of 16, but his overall results have been quite disappointing since he claimed the Mallorca Championships just before Wimbledon in June.
Both players are not at their best, but the Dutch player won their previous encounter which incidentally was on indoor hard courts. He should make it two wins in two.
Prediction: Griekspoor in 3
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images