TennisSection previews the 2022 Montpellier Open as Ilya Ivashka takes on Mackenzie McDonald in the first round on Wednesday, February 2nd, 2021.
Will Mackenzie McDonald get a good win under his belt as he aims to improve week by week in 2022? Will Ilya Ivashka show us why he is so tough to beat in these indoor hard court conditions? Both players will come out here knowing they have a strong chance to win this match, but only one will make their way to the second round of the 2022 Montpellier Open. Who will it be?
Mackenzie McDonald has played well to start the year off, winning 2 out of his 5 matches so far this year, playing well against the likes of Aslan Karatsev at the Australian Open where he was able to win a set. McDonald was praised to be the next best thing in the American world of tennis. However, due to injury and confidence issues, he never reached this potential. McDonald will come out here at the 2022 Montpellier Open knowing that he has a great chance to become a mainstay in ATP 250 and 500 tournaments if he is able to get himself up the rankings, but he will be facing a very tough opponent right from the start in Ilya Ivashka here.
Ilya Ivashka has not played any main tour match this year so far, making his return to the ATP Tour this week at the 2022 Montpellier Open. Ivashka is a very underrated player, with a huge serve and forehand which has caused some big names some issues in the past, such as against Nadal at the Barcelona Open last year. Ivashka is at his best in indoor hard court conditions because he plays quite flat so he is able to take more time away from his opponents in these conditions. However, with a lack of playing time so far this year, how will he fare against Mackenzie McDonald?
Ilya Ivashka and Mackenzie McDonald have met 3 times before, with Ilya Ivashka leading the head to head 2-1. They met all 3 times last year, with Ilya winning both encounters on clay, and McDonald winning their hard court match. Although Ilya Ivashka is slightly higher ranked, injury issues have seen him miss the opening month of tournaments in 2022. Mackenzie, on the other hand, has gotten some good minutes under his belt and he will know that he needs to take this match on right from the get to, in order to not allow Ivashka to get rid of the rust at the 2022 Montpellier Open.
Free Tennis Pick and Prediction: Mackenzie McDonald in 3 Sets.
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