The ATP grass season will officially kick off Monday in Den Bosch, Netherlands, with plenty of exciting actions to be expected this week. The highlight of the first day will undoubtedly be the return to action of Milos Raonic, who will play his first ATP match since July 2021 and is currently unranked. But there will be plenty of other quality action going on, with some grass specialists trying to gear up for Wimbledon.
ATP Den Bosch Day 1 Predictions
Marc-Andrea Huesler vs Maxime Cressy
Head-to-head: Cressy 1-0 Huesler
Their previous meeting was won by Cressy at the 2021 Wimbledon qualifying and the American should once again be the favorite on grass. His very potent serve and net game make him always a threat on this surface, as shown against Felix Auger-Aliassime last year at Wimbledon. His only career title to date came on grass in Newport.
Prediction: Cressy in 2
Ugo Humbert vs Jason Kubler
Head-to-head: first meeting
Both players are very comfortable on grasss and had good runs at Wimbledon last year. Humbert is generally the better player but Kubler has already played on grass this year in Surbiton, where he last a narrow three-setter to the eventual champion Andy Murray. That might just give him the edge here.
Prediction: Kubler in 3
Rinky Hijikata vs Gijs Brouwer
Head-to-head: Hijikata 1-0 Brouwer
The pair are separated by only two ranking spots and are as evenly matched as you could imagine, both played last week in Surbiton, with Hijikata winning a couple of matches. Brouwer is, however, playing at home here and that might just be enough to give him the slight edge.
Prediction: Brouwer in 3
Milos Raonic vs Miomir Kecmanovic
Head-to-head: Raonic 2-0 Kecmanovic
Raonic is a former Wimbledon finalist and world #3 but he hasn’t been seen on the courts since July 2021, almost two years ago. There’s no telling what his level will be on his comeback; while he’d be favored in this matchup under normal circumstances, here the safe money would be on Kecmanovic given the circumstances.
Prediction: Kecmanovic in 2
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