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First-round motion on the Cinch Championships will proceed on Tuesday, when Carlos Alcaraz and Andy Murray are amongst these in motion. Listed below are my previews and picks for 2 of the schedule’s finest matchups.
(1) Carlos Alcaraz vs. Francisco Cerundolo
Alcaraz gained the French Open a few weeks in the past and now turns his consideration to grass, on which he triumphed at each Queen’s Membership and Wimbledon final summer season. His title protection on the former occasion begins on Tuesday afternoon towards Cerundolo. Their solely earlier assembly got here 5 years in the past on the crimson clay of the Palmanova Challenger, the place Alcaraz cruised 6-2, 6-4.
Cerundolo could also be at his finest on clay, however he’s succesful on all surfaces–grass included. The Twenty sixth-ranked Argentine lifted the trophy in Eastbourne final summer season. He’s in superb kind for the time being, too, having reached the final 16 at Roland Garros (misplaced to Novak Djokovic in 5 units). Sadly for Cerundolo, that is clearly a horrible draw. Alcaraz is crimson scorching and dropped only a single set throughout his journey to the 2023 Queen’s Membership crown.
Decide: Alcaraz in 2
(WC) Andy Murray vs. (Q) Alexei Popyrin
Murray is the undisputed king of Queen’s. The 37-year-old Scot is the all-time chief in singles titles with six (2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016) in a historic match that has been round since 1881. Doubtless calling it quits on his profession later this summer season at both Wimbledon or the Olympics, Murray is thus making his last look on the Cinch Championships. Though he can by no means be written off at this occasion, success for the three-time Grand Slam champ in 2024 is unlikely. Murray has gained only a single match because the Miami second spherical and that was by way of retirement at a Challenger match. He misplaced his opening match in Stuttgart this previous week by the hands of Marcos Giron (6-3, 6-4).
It has already been a productive keep at Queen’s Membership for Popyrin, who certified for the principle draw with wins over Otto Virtanen and Mackenzie McDonald. The Forty eighth-ranked Australian additionally performed effectively final week in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the place he beat Rinky Hijikata earlier than falling to Tommy Paul in three tight units. At this level in Murray’s profession, this simply looks like somewhat bit too robust of a check.
Decide: Popyrin in 3
Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and in addition maintains his personal tennis web site, The Grandstand. You possibly can comply with him on Twitter at @Dimonator.
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