2023 champion Tallon Griekspoor takes on Miomir Kecmanovic in the opening round of the ATP Libema Open in Den Bosch. Meanwhile, seventh seed Sebastian Korda will face Australian qualifier Tristan Schoolkate. Are these two early favorites one of the main contenders for the title in Den Bosch? We also predict the rest of the day’s matches in a separate article, featuring Milos Raonic vs Jordan Thompson. Who do you think will make the second round?
ATP Den Bosch Day 2 Predictions
Alexei Popyrin vs Rinky Hijikata
Head-to-head: First meeting
Australians love the grass, although Alexei Popyrin’s records on this surface haven’t actually been that great historically. He’s even performed better in plenty of clay court events, but not this year with him coming into this event on a losing streak. Rinky Hijikata is in the same boat, it’s just that he’s had some grass flashes like the semifinals here last year. It seems like Popyrin has all the weapons in this matchup, but it’s likely to be very close.
Prediction: Popyrin in 3
Tallon Griekspoor vs Miomir Kecmanovic
Head-to-head: First meeting
Tallon Griekspoor was the champion in Den Bosch last year and usually performs extremely well at home with the runs at Rotterdam or even the Challenger in Amersfoort. Miomir Kecmanovic isn’t a very comfortable opening-round opponent for him, but the Serbian retired in the second round of the French Open against Daniil Medvedev. It’s unclear if he’ll recover but with his grass game over the years being pretty up and down, it makes Griekspoor a big favorite.
Prediction: Griekspoor in 2
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Arthur Fils vs Arthur Cazaux
Head-to-head: First meeting
Such an exciting matchup between the two French youngsters. Arthur Fils hasn’t been satisfied with his season so far and exhibited that especially in firing Sergi Bruguera recently. Grass is a more natural fit for Arthur Cazaux and how much he likes playing inside the court, but the Frenchman’s last two months have been ruined by injuries (he suffered a heat stroke in Miami and twisted his ankle in Barcelona). Back healthy and on a slicker court, maybe he can rush the spinny forehand of Fils.
Prediction: Cazaux in 3
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Sebastian Korda vs Tristan Schoolkate
Head-to-head: First meeting
Sebastian Korda’s 2023 grass court season is pretty infamous for that Wimbledon Round 1 loss to Jiri Vesely, right after it seemed like the American deserved to be one of the main dark horses based on his Queen’s performance. The surface still suits his intent to move forward very well and the expectations will be quite high anyway. Tristan Schoolkate has plenty of grass experience and can apply lots of pressure with his aggression, but it’s a match Sebastian Korda has to be winning if he’s serious about making huge waves over the next month.
Prediction: Korda in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports