Damien Kayat has a look at the round of 32 matches at the Winston and Salem Open featuring David Goffin vs Thiago Monteiro and Andy Murray vs Frances Tiafoe.
2021 ATP Tour
ATP 250 Series
Winston and Salem Open
Wake Forest University (Outdoor Hardcourts)
Selected Round of 32 Matches- 25th August
Andy Murray 21/20 | Frances Tiafoe 78/100
Former World Number One and three-time Grand Slam winner Andy Murray will be looking to cash in after a fortuitous start to the week. Murray was scheduled to face Nick Kyrgios in a blockbuster opening round tie. But the Aussie’s late withdrawal saw a lucky loser spot open up for American Noah Rubin. But Rubin was hardly in the position to capitalize on such fortune: he lost to Lucas Pouille a matter of hours before the Murray match. This worked out perfectly for the Scot, who coasted through with a morale-boosting 6-2, 6-0 victory. Murray will be looking for some positive momentum ahead of next week’s US Open. Murray has enjoyed a frustrating 2021 (his win-loss ratio for the year stands at 6-5). It’s hard to gauge what qualifies as success for Murray this week. I’m sure he will take each match as it comes. But does he really want to push his body to the limit a week before the final Slam of the year? This week is essentially a glorified hitting session for the Scot.
23-year-old Frances Tiafoe is a bit of a head-scratcher. The talented American just can’t seem to string together consistent results. But he nonetheless has the potential to beat just about anyone on his day. This was evident in his first-round success against Stefanos Tsitsipas at Wimbledon. But there have been some encouraging signs for the big-serving American since his first-round defeat in Washington. His record over the past two events stands at 5-2 (including qualifiers). Significantly, he was able to conquer both Ugo Humbert and Denis Shapovalov over this stretch. His raw power and dynamism could provide Murray with huge problems.
Verdict: Tiafoe win at 78/100
This will be just the 2nd meeting between this pair. Murray won a tight three-set encounter in Cincinnati last year. This is quite an intriguing match-up. Prime Murray would relish this challenge. Noted for his ability to absorb power, Murray would be able to extend rallies and take Tiafoe into uncomfortable territory. But this is certainly not prime Murray. Furthermore, Tiafoe has impressive recent victories against Shapovalov and Humbert. You also have to wonder whether Murray will throw everything into this match one week out from a Slam. Tiafoe to win.
David Goffin 52/100 | Thiago Monteiro 29/20
David Goffin is a guy who has maintained his presence in the world’s top 25 by hook or by crook. He just consistently delivers enough in his typically under-the-radar fashion. This year has been slightly more schizophrenic for Goffin. He did manage to capture his 5th ATP title in Montpellier. But other than that, it has been pretty barren for the pugnacious Belgian. This has obviously been exacerbated by his recent issues with injury. He sustained an ankle injury in Halle that forced him to withdraw from both Wimbledon and the Olympics. His comeback in Cincinnati was a damp squib: he lost to clay-court practitioner Guido Pella. Goffin is an easy player to underestimate. He doesn’t possess those huge weapons that are required to compete consistently at Grand Slam level. But he has irritation value and tends to perform well in these satellite events.
27-year-old Brazilian Thiago Monteiro is certainly not the most fashionable of options. The clay-court specialist is a journeyman pro who is currently enjoying a typically average campaign. His first-round victory against James Duckworth broke a losing streak that stretches back to the French Open. But what a victory it was. He won a pulsating three-set match, saving three match-points on his serve in the 3rd set. That showed a bit of gumption. Monteiro also has some hardcourt success already this season, reaching the semi-finals in Adelaide at the beginning of the year. Monteiro is usually the type of cannon fodder that Goffin wolfs down. But that ankle injury may make things a little more interesting this week.
Monteiro to win at 29/20
Goffin won their only previous encounter with a resounding Davis Cup victory in 2016. But I think there’s just enough hope here to make a little play on Monteiro. I know this looks like a bit of a ‘Hail Mary’ pass. But let me explain. Clearly a massive underdog, the Brazilian will feel galvanized by his heroics against Duckworth in the last round. There’s also Goffin’s ankle to consider. His movement last week against Pella seemed to suggest that he is still struggling with that niggle. Goffin is a player who needs to be moving well to play at his optimum.
