Adelaide International 2022: Men's singles draw analysis, preview and prediction
The 2022 season kicked off with the ATP Cup and a few more tournaments are scheduled to take place ahead of the Australian Open. One of them is the Adelaide International, which will take place from January 3-9.
The men's competition isn't as high-profile as the women's given it's an ATP 250 event.
The Adelaide International was first held in 2020, during which there was an exciting semifinal clash between Andrey Rublev and Felix Auger-Aliassime. Both players took a set in a tiebreak before the Russian prevailed in the third. Rublev then beat South African qualifier Lloyd Harris 6-3, 6-0 to win the tournament.
The men's tournament was not held last year but will be held twice in 2022, with the first starting January 3.
Since several top players including Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas are participating in the ATP Cup, this year's Adelaide International does not have many big names.
The Adelaide International will return in 2022 with two weeks of tennis set to hit the courts at Memorial Drive!
2-9 January: WTA 500 and ATP 250
9-15 January: WTA 250 and ATP 250
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However, the likes of Gael Monfils, Karen Khachanov and former US Open champion Marin Cilic will participate at the event.
Here's a detailed look at the men's draw.
Top Half: Gael Monfils should have clear path to the semifinals
Top seeds: [1] Gael Monfils, [4] Frances Tiafoe, [6] Tommy Paul, [8] Kwon Soon-woo
Expected semifinal: Gael Monfils vs Frances Tiafoe
Analysis: Gael Monfils is the top seed and favorite to win the competition. The Frenchman has received a bye to the second round, where he will face either Juan Manuel Cerundolo or Alex Bolt.
If the 35-year-old does make it to the quarterfinals, his possible opponents include sixth seed Tommy Paul and teenager Lorenzo Musetti, who beat him in Vienna a few months ago.
The other half of the draw consists of fourth seed Frances Tiafoe, who on his day can be a formidable opponent. The American will begin the tournament against the winner of the all-Aussie clash between Thanasi Kokkinakis and John Millman.
If Tiafoe makes it to the quarterfinals, his most likely opponent will be South Korea's Kwon Soon-woo. However, Yoshihito Nishioka and Mikael Ymer, who reached the third round of two Grand Slams last year, are well capable of causing an upset.
First round match to watch: Mikael Ymer vs Benjamin Bonzi
Dark horses: Lorenzo Musetti, Mikael Ymer
Bottom half: Cilic-Khachanov semifinal looming
Top seeds: [2] Karen Khachanov, [3] Marin Cilic, [5] Marton Fucsovics, [7] Laslo Djere
Expected semifinal: Marin Cilic vs Karen Khachanov
Third seed Marin Cilic is the player to look out for in this half of the draw. The Croat returned to the top 30 of the ATP rankings in 2021 and will be keen to improve further in 2022.
Cilic will start the tournament against either Thiago Monteiro or Daniel Altmaier. Should Cilic make it to the quarterfinals, his most likely opponent will be seventh-seeded Laslo Djere. In such a scenario, Cilic would be expected to get the better of the Serb and reach the semifinals.
On the other side of the draw is second seed Karen Khachanov, who is expected to make it to the last eight with relative ease. The Russian will most likely face last year's Wimbledon quarterfinalist Marton Fucsovics in the quarterfinals.
Dark horse: Marton Fucsovics
Prediction for the final
Marin Cilic def. Gael Monfils
Also Check Out: Complete ATP Cup 2022 Schedule