ATP Lyon Features Shotmakers Dominic Thiem, Jack Sock, and Gael Monfils Tuning Up for Paris
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic
The 250 on clay in Lyon, France features an engaging field of talents including Jack Sock, and John Isner, top seed Dominic Thiem, and fan favorite Gael Monfils. Here is your full preview with predictions of the Open Parc ARA.
Top Half:
Dominic Thiem will begin his title quest against Roberto Carballes Baena or a qualifier, Carballes is no pushover but Thiem has put together a solid season on clay and should ease past that match and a quarterfinal contest against one of Calvin Hemery/Corentin Moutet/Guillermo Garcia-Lopez/Adrian Mannarino to reach the semifinals.
Jack Sock has a tough section featuring his countryman Taylor Fritz (or Matt Ebden) up first, with Dusan Lajovic or Joao Sousa likely to follow (Horacio Zeballos and a qualifier are also here). Both Sousa and Lajovic have had success on clay this year, and I’ll back Lajovic to beat Zeballos, Sousa, and Sock to reach the semis.
Bottom Half:
John Isner will take on Federico Delbonis/Radu Albot in his first match, Delbonis has a solid chance of tripping him up, but I’ll back Isner into the quarters opposite Max Marterer. Marterer is playing better than home hero Gael Monfils, and potential second round opponents Cam Norrie/qualifier, but Isner should have the edge with his kick serve in the quarters.
I’ll back faded veteran Gilles Simon to beat a qualifier then upset Hyeon Chung to reach the quarterfinals on home clay. I have John Millman defeating Nicolas Kicker and Gregoire Barrere/Mikhail Kukushkin to reach the quarters, with Simon winning that quarterfinal.
Predictions
Semis
Thiem d. Lajovic
Isner d. Simon
I’ll back Isner to serve his way into the final, but Thiem is the heavy favorite to win the tournament unless he tanks in preparation for a deep run in Paris.
Final
Thiem d. Isner
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