Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev headline a busy schedule in Beijing as first-round action concludes on Friday. Alcaraz opens with Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, while Medvedev goes up against Gael Monfils.
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard vs. (2) Carlos Alcaraz
Alcaraz will be playing his first ATP tournament since a disappointing U.S. Open when he kicks off his China Open campaign on Friday. The third-ranked Spaniard did, however, suit up for the Laver Cup and compiled a 3-1 record while winning both of his singles matches–including the clincher for Team Europe against U.S. Open runner-up Taylor Fritz. Although the Laver Cup may not be an ideal litmus test for any player’s form, in Alcaraz’s case it should restore some confidence after he was unceremoniously bounced out of New York by Botic van de Zandschulp in round two.
Up first for the 21-year-old in Beijing is Mpetshi Perricard, whom he has never faced. The 6’8” Frenchman is obviously dangerous whenever he is on the other side of the net because of his huge serve, but current form is not encouraging. Mpetshi Perricard is 1-5 in his last six matches after falling to Yannick Hanfmann in the Chengdu second round last week. Running into an incredible returner like Alcaraz right off the bat in Beijing simply adds insult to injury for the world No. 51.
Pick: Alcaraz in 2
Gael Monfils vs. (3) Daniil Medvedev
Medvedev and Monfils will be squaring off for the fifth time in their careers on Friday. The head-to-head series is all tied up at 2-2 following Medvedev’s 6-2, 6-4 victory on the red clay of Monte-Carlo earlier this season. Monfils won their only previous hard-court contest 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 a couple of seasons ago, but that was at the Indian Wells Masters–where the surface is less than ideal for Medvedev.
The court speed in Beijing doesn’t appear to be particularly fast, but it should still be better for Medvedev than what is on offer in Indian Wells. Regardless, the fifth-ranked Russian is simply the superior play under any circumstances right now. Monfils is not playing terribly (he is still ranked a decent 46th at 38 years old), but he is 3-5 in his last eight matches dating back to Wimbledon. Medvedev generally plays quite well during the fall swing, so he should be able to take care of business in his Beijing opener.
Pick: Medvedev in 2
