The second day of the ATP 500 Munich tournament promises exciting tennis, with defending champion Alexander Zverev headlining the action. Several other intriguing matches are set to take place, and we provide our expert predictions for who will move on to the next round.
ATP Munich Day 2 Match Previews and Predictions
Tallon Griekspoor vs. Denis Shapovalov
Head-to-Head: Griekspoor 1 – 0 Shapovalov
Tallon Griekspoor has emerged as a formidable player on the tour, known for his powerful groundstrokes, efficient punishment of short balls, and a serve that can silence any crowd. Denis Shapovalov, on the other hand, is a thrilling enigma in tennis – a left-handed shotmaker whose mental game can falter when momentum shifts.
On his best days, Griekspoor displays a quiet confidence and swagger that Shapovalov has struggled to consistently match throughout an entire match. Unless the Canadian brings his absolute best, with his flat, laser-focused game from the outset, Griekspoor’s endurance is likely to outlast Shapovalov’s dynamic play.
Prediction: Griekspoor in 3 sets
Vit Kopriva vs. Justin Engel
Head-to-Head: First Meeting
Vit Kopriva is a reliable grinder on the tour, building his reputation on numerous Challenger titles and a return game that consistently applies pressure. He excels at putting opponents’ second serves under duress, securing breaks at a solid rate, and on clay, where he has achieved his best results, he knows how to stifle his opponents.
However, Justin Engel should not be underestimated. The 18-year-old German prodigy is one of the most exciting young talents in the sport, playing with a fearless attitude and nothing to lose on his home turf in Munich. While Kopriva is the safer pick, if Engel finds his rhythm early, this clay court could quickly become his stage, especially in Munich.
Prediction: Engel in 3 sets
Zizou Bergs vs. Marko Topo
Head-to-Head: First Meeting
Zizou Bergs has been one of the most improved players on the ATP Tour over the past two seasons. Belgium’s top player has reached a career-high ranking of world No. 40, thanks to his relentless baseline play and a determined ability to engage opponents in grueling rallies – the very type of strategic battle that clay courts reward. He’s been building momentum from Monte Carlo and is eager to make his mark in a tournament that perfectly suits his game.
22-year-old German Marko Topo has a history with this tournament, having received wild cards multiple times and even upsetting higher-ranked players in Munich qualifying previously. The lack of a prior head-to-head meeting adds an intriguing element of unpredictability. Topo has nothing to lose and much to prove on home clay. Bergs is expected to win, but on a day when an underdog gains momentum and the crowd roars, stranger things have certainly happened on the red dirt.
Prediction: Bergs in 3 sets
Alexander Zverev vs. Miomir Kecmanovic
Head-to-Head: Zverev 2 – 2 Kecmanovic
Alexander Zverev enters the Munich tournament carrying the weight of home-crowd expectations, yet this first-round match is by no means an easy one. On the clay courts of Bavaria, with the support of the crowd, Zverev is precisely the type of player who can elevate his game when it counts.
However, Kecmanovic is not to be dismissed just yet. The Serbian has a balanced record against Zverev, although all their previous encounters have been on hard courts. After a challenging start to the season with a 0-4 record, he has steadily regained his confidence, producing some of his cleanest tennis of the year.
That being said, Kecmanovic has a career record of 5-27 against Top 10 players, and the Munich clay offers little respite for Zverev when he is at his best. Expect Zverev to advance, but Kecmanovic is expected to push him hard for every game.
Prediction: Zverev in 3 sets