A big week on the ATP Tour begins Monday at Swiss Indoors Basel, where No. 8 seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina faces Lorenzo Sonego. A completely unseeded affair with Jenson Brooksby and Alexandre Muller.
Lorenzo Sonego vs. (8) Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Davidovich Fokina and Sonego will face off for the second time in their careers when they clash in the first round of the Swiss Indoors Basel on Monday. Their only previous encounter did not disappoint; Sonego triumphed 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(6) in the 2019 Challenger final on clay in Genoa.
Fast forward to 2025 and Davidovich Fokina is finishing a fantastic season at number 20 in the world. About the only thing missing for the 26-year-old Spaniard is an elusive ATP title, but he has three runner-up finishes (Delray Beach, Acapulco, Washington). Sonego was everywhere this year. The 47th-ranked Italian reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open and the fourth round of Wimbledon, but outside of those two slams he was virtually hopeless. While neither man is particularly adept indoors, Sonego would likely prefer to contest this match on one of the natural surfaces: clay or grass. Davidovich Fokina is in superior form overall and should take care of business.
Choice: Davidovich Fokina and 2
(PR) Jenson Brooksby vs. Alexandre Muller
Considering Brooksby missed virtually all of the 2023 and 2024 seasons due to a doping suspension, he should be commended for the work he put in during this comeback season. The American has won 20 matches on the main tour and is back in 56th place in the rankings. Brooksby played well on the Asian swing, advancing to the Tokyo semifinals (lost to Taylor Fritz) and one round in Shanghai before losing to Tallon Greekpoor in three sets.
First up for the 24-year-old on Monday is a second meeting with Muller. Their only previous clash came this summer at the Cincinnati Masters, where Brooksby prevailed 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-1. It is difficult to see Muller turning the tide in Basel. The 43rd-ranked Frenchman is an abysmal 4-13 in his last 17 games. Additionally, he is a lifetime 43-45 on indoor hard courts, while Brooksby is 26-14 on this surface.
Choice: Brooksby in 2
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