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Day 1 at the 2024 cinch Championships didn't disappoint, and fans can count themselves in for another day of tantalizing action with Day 2 just around the corner.
Newly crowned World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz will headline action as he begins his tricky title defense against Francisco Cerundolo. Last year's runner-up, Alex de Minaur, will also be in action against Lorenzo Musetti in another highly anticipated encounter.
Meanwhile, American fans are in for a treat with the likes of Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, Tommy Paul, Sebastian Korda, and Brandon Nakashima all in the fray. Three-time Grand Slam champion and home favorite Andy Murray is also due to take center stage against Australian qualifier Alexei Popyrin. Other big names who will be seen in action on Day 2 include Tomas Martin Etcheverry, Matteo Arnaldi, and Jack Draper.
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On that note, here's a look at the predictions for some of the men's fixtures on Day 2 of the 2024 Cinch Championships.
#3 Tomas Martin Etcheverry vs Billy Harris
World No. 32 Tomas Martin Etcheverry will open his campaign in Queens against local star Billy Harris in the first round, in what will be their first-ever meeting.
Etcheverry is 18-14 for the season, with his best result yet being a runner-up finish in Lyon to French youngster Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. He's also reached the last four in Houston and Barcelona and the last eight in Argentina and Cordoba.
Harris, on the other hand, has featured only on the challenger circuit so far and is set to make his ATP main draw debut at home in Queens. He is coming off a brilliant couple of weeks on the grass, having reached the semifinals in both the Surbiton and Nottingham II challengers.
We can expect a tight contest between the pair, despite Etcheverry being the higher-ranked player. His lack of match practice on the grass could be his downfall, with Harris having played plenty of tennis on the surface so far. However, the Brit will have to play incredibly well and attack the net regularly if he is to get the better of Etcheverry.
Pick: Etcheverry in three sets.
#2 Matteo Arnaldi vs Ugo Humbert
Matteo Arnaldi and eighth seed Ugo Humbert are set to clash in arguably the most highly anticipated first-round matches of the 2024 Cinch Championship on Tuesday, June 18. It is set to be the first meeting between the pair, who have yet to face off on the ATP tour.
Arnaldi has had a breakthrough season up until now and sits pretty with an 18-13 match record. His runs to the Barcelona quarterfinals and the Miami and Paris fourth rounds have impressed.
Humbert, too, has had a great season so far, having already picked up titles in Marseille and Dubai. He kicked off his grasscourt campaign in 's-Hertogenbosch, losing to eventual champion Alex de Minaur in the semifinals 7-6 (4), 6-3.
A tantalizing encounter is on the cards, as both players are heading into the encounter in good touch and riding a wave of good fortune. Humbert's match practice on grass could give him a slight edge.
Pick: Ugo Humbert in three sets.
#1 Alex de Minaur vs Lorenzo Musetti
Second seeding and last year's runner-up, Alex de Minaur will open his campaign against Lorenzo Musetti in a tantalizing first round clash. They have just met once in the past, in the first round of the 2022 Australian Open, with de Minaur coming out on top on that occasion. He defeated Musetti in four sets: 3-6, 6-3, 6-0, 6-3.
de Minaur's prowess on the grass has been there for everybody to see over the past couple of years. He won his first title on the surface back at the Eastbourne International in 2021, getting the better of Lorenzo Sonego in the final 4–6, 6–4, 7–6 (5). He reached the finals at Queens last year but lost to Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets.
The Australian has had a splendid year so far and enters the British capital on the back of a successful title run in 's-Hertogenbosch. He didn't drop even a set at the event and dominated an in-form Sebastian Korda in the final to seal a 6-2, 6-4 win.
Musetti heads into Queens on the back of some good form too, having reached the last four in Stuttgart. That does not diminish the fact that he has had a sub-par 2024 campaign so far. He currently has a 14–16 W/L record in a year that has been characterized by inconsistency thus far.
de Minaur's dominance on the surface and wave of good form should ensure another routine victory for him.
Pick: Alex de Minaur in straight sets.
