Carlos Alcaraz will make his Tokyo debut when he goes against Sebastian Baez on Thursday during the first round action. Chengdu champion Alejandro Tabilo immediately returns to the field against Zizou Bergs.
(1) Carlos Alcaraz vs. Sebastian Baez
It has been a busy piece of tennis for Alcaraz, but there is no free time because he wants to end the season on his current perch of No. 1 in the world. Dating from the Clay-Court Swing, 22-year-old Spaniard 46-2 in his last 48 games on traditional tournaments (excluding a Laver Cup loss for Taylor Fritz). Alcaraz is now taking its talents to the Japan open for the first time, after he participated in Beijing for the last two years.
A first round matchup with Baez on Thursday marks their third meeting. It is not surprising that Alcaraz won their first two meetings in straight sets – on the 2021 NextGen ATP Finals and on the 2022 US Open. Since the second place was in Bucharest, Baez has been a complete disaster. The 41st ranking order Argentin is 4-14 in his last 18 games, although a whole group of them has come to clay. It would be surprising if he win more than a few games in this competition.
Pick: Alcaraz in 2
Berg Berg vs. Alejandro Tabilo
Nobody has played more tennis to start the Asian swing than Tabilo. The 72nd rank painter is finally healthy again and comes from a second place at the Guangzhou Challenger, followed by an ATP title in Chengdu as qualification. Yes, that means that Tabilo played 12 games in two stops on the Asian Swing. He closed his Chengdu run by saving two championship points on his way to A 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (5) Opstraur of Lorenzo Musetti On Tuesday.
Next is a Tokyo opener against Bergs, who won their only earlier matchup 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2, 6-2 in the French Open first round 2024. Bergs has struggled since he had second place on the grass courts of ‘s-Hertogenbosch at the start of the summer, but the most important thing is that he is well equipped by Jerry. The 45th ranked Belgian may not be in large form, but he should win this standard (not literally) seen what mental and physical fatigue for Tabilo should be.
Pick: Bergs in 2
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