Rotterdam Open 2022: Alex de Minaur vs Mackenzie McDonald preview, head-to-head & prediction
Match details
Fixture: Alex de Minaur vs Mackenzie McDonald.
Date: 9 February, 2022.
Tournament: Rotterdam Open 2022.
Round: Second round (Round of 16).
Venue: Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Category: ATP 500.
Surface: Indoor Hardcourt.
Prize money: €1,208,315.
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video.
Alex de Minaur vs Mackenzie McDonald preview
World No. 34 Alex de Minaur will take on American Mackenzie McDonald in the second round of the 2022 Rotterdam Open on Wednesday.
De Minaur handed former World No. 7 David Goffin a 6-0, 6-3 beatdown in their first-round clash. The Australian was completely dominant in the opening set, though his opponent put up a fight towards the end. De Minaur needed four set points to clinch the set.
The second set was a little more competitive as Goffin secured his first break of the match in the third game, converting on his seventh break point. But he couldn't hold on to his lead as he lost his serve in the next game. De Minaur once again secured a break of serve towards the end of the set and closed out the match.
McDonald in the second round.
2017 #abnamrowtt finalist David Goffin forced Alex de Minaur into some epic points in the second set, but the Aussie does win convincingly: 6-0 6-3.
It will be De Minaur 🆚 McDonald in the second round. https://t.co/GsKi0BAJpS
The 22-year-old has been playing well this year, reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open. It was the first time he had reached the second week in Melbourne and the second time at a Grand Slam. He even performed well in the ATP Cup at the start of the year, winning two of his three group ties.
Meanwhile, Mackenzie McDonald kicked off his Rotterdam Open campaign with a 6-3, 6-2 win over eighth seed Nikoloz Basilashvili. The American was always favored to win the contest as his opponent had not recorded a win since the Vienna Open in October 2021.
McDonald has not had a great season either, having failed to advance past the second round in any of the tournaments he has competed in so far. He'll be looking to break that trend in Rotterdam this week.
Alex de Minaur vs Mackenzie McDonald head-to-head
The two have faced off once before, with de Minaur leading 1-0 in the head-to-head. He won their only encounter 1-6, 7-6(1), 6-0 at the 2018 Shenzhen Open.
Alex de Minaur vs Mackenzie McDonald prediction
Considering their recent form, Alex de Minaur enters this contest as the favorite to win. The Australian has performed well this year and his only losses have been against Daniil Medvedev and Jannik Sinner, both top-10 players.
De Minaur's court coverage remains as impressive as ever. His ability to turn around points despite being on the backfoot is remarkable. The Australian's groundstrokes are pretty solid and he's got a reliable serve as well.
ALEX. DE. MINAUR. 🤯
Another year, another CRAZY point won by the Aussie in Rotterdam!
@alexdeminaur #abnamrowtt https://t.co/zzd9Y2rGsM
McDonald is also solid from the baseline and quick around the court. He doesn't have the tools to overpower his opponents, which has proven to be a problem in is career.
De Minaur hasn't lost to anyone ranked lower than him this year and that streak should continue against McDonald.
Prediction: Alex de Minaur to win in straight sets.
Also Check Out: Rotterdam Open 2022 Results