The tennis extravaganza has moved to Queen’s Club Championships in London. The top players on tour are battling it out for 500 points in the ATP rankings this week.
Jack Draper and Carlos Alcaraz continued their potent form with solid wins in the first round. Both players registered straight set wins to begin their campaign in London on a strong note.
Meanwhile, top-five seeds Taylor Fritz and Alex De Minaur couldn’t make their mark in the first round. Fritz was humbled by Corentin Moutet in three-sets while De Minuar couldn’t pass the test against Jiri Lehecka.
Without further do, let’s look at the exciting matches and predictions for Day Three in London.
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#1) Holger Rune vs Mackenzie McDonald
First up, Holger Rune will take on Mackenzie McDonald in the second round of the Queen's Club Champioships.
After a title-winning run in Barcelona, Rune struggled to make a significant impact in Madrid, Paris and Rome. He reached the fourth round of the French Open but lost to Lorenzo Musetti in four sets. The Dane started his campaign in London with a solid win against Christopher Oconnell, outfoxing the Australian, 6-3, 6-4.
On the contrary, Mackenzie McDonald has had a quiet season on tour. He entered the qualifiers in Melbourne, Munich and Madrid but couldn't secure a place in the main draw. The American entered London after a second round exit in Rosmalen and outfoxed Gael Monfils in the first round, 6-4, 6-4.
While McDonald will be high on confidence after a promising win over Monfils, Rune will still be the favorite to come out on top. The Dane should be able to absorb the early pressure and provide the killer blow in the second round.
Predicted winner: Holger Rune
#2) Jakub Mensik vs Roberto Bautista Agut
Next up, Jakub Mensik will take on Roberto Bautista Agut in the second round of the Queen's Club Championships.
Mensik impressed the men's locker room by winning his first Masters 1000 crown this year. He outclassed Novak Djokovic in the Miami Open final, 7-6(4), 7-6(4). The Czech entered London after a quarterfinal appearance in Madrid and a second round exit in Paris. He started his campaign with a brilliant win over Cameron Norrie, 7-6(6), 1-6, 6-1.
Meanwhille, Roberto Bautista Agut is still going strong at the age of 37. The Spaniard won the Antwerp European Open in October and reached the quartefinals in Hamburg last month. Despite losing the first set against Nuno Borges, he eliminated the youngster, 6-7(6), 7-5, 6-4.
Both players look sharp at the Queen's Club Championships, but Mensik will be a slight favorite to win. He showed his resilience against Norrie and should be able to outlast Bautista Agut the second round.
Predicted winner: Jakub Mensik.
#3) Jack Draper vs Alexei Popyrin
Third, Jack Draper will face Alexei Popyrin in the second round.
Draper has missed out at the Majors so far but been exceptional on the ATP tour. Apart from runner-up finishes in Doha and Madrid, he captured his first Masters 1000 event in Indian Wells this year. The Brit entered London after a fourth round exit in Paris and eased past Jenson Brooksby, 6-3, 6-1.
Alexei Popyrin, on the other hand, reached the quarterfinals in Monte-Carlo and Geneva, which are his best results so far this season. He entered London after a fourth round exit in Paris and an early loss in Rosmalen. The Australian outsmarted Aleksandar Vukic in the first round, 6-2, 6-7(9), 7-6(3).
Draper reached the last eight in London last year and looks to mean business on tour. He was outdone by a brilliant opponent in Paris and will be desperate to hit back in London. The Brit is most likely to power through to the quarterfinals.
Predicted winner: Jack Draper
#4) Brandon Nakashima vs Daniel Evans
Next up, Brandon Nakashima will take on Daniel Evans in the second round of the Queen's Club Championships.
Nakashima has yet to taste success since winning the ATP Next Gen Finals in 2022. The American reached the semifinals in Acapulco and Houston but couldn't make his mark at any of those events. He entered London after a solid quarterfinal finish in Stuttgart and defeated Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the first round, 6-7(10), 7-6(5), 6-4.
Meanwhile, Daniel Evans seems to be on a mission this month. Despite mediocre results throughout the season, he found his stride with a second round run in Rosmalen and continued to build momentum in London. The Brit stunned Frances Tiafoe in the first round, 7-5, 6-2.
Nakashima has a great record during the initial few rounds, but needs to raise his level when it matters the most. He will be up against a tricky opponent on Wednesday but should be able to sneak through to the quarterfinals.
Predicted winner: Brandon Nakshima
#5) Taylor Fritz / Jiri Lehecka vs Alex De Minaur / Alexei Popyrin
Lastly, Taylor Fritz and Jiri Lehecka will face Alex De Minaur and Alexei Popyrin in the first round of the men's doubles event.
Fritz entered London after a sensational title-triumph in Stuttgart. Despite a spirited performance against Corentin Moutet, Fritz was outfoxed in three sets, 6-7(5), 7-6(7), 7-5.
On the other hand, Alex De Minaur also registered a shocking defeat against Jiri Lehecka in the first round. The Czech eliminated him without breaking a sweat, 6-4, 6-2.
Both players will have a chance to redeem themselves in the doubles event. Considering their skill-set on grass and recent form on tour, Fritz and Lehecka should be able to secure the win.
Predicted winner: Taylor Fritz and Jiri Lehecka
