Christopher O'Connell vs Max Purcell Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Atlanta Open

Prediction published on 22/07/2024, 07:10  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 22/07/2024 at 07:36 in Tennis Predictions

We have an all-Australian match-up in the first round of the Atlanta Open. Eighth seed Max Purcell faces unseeded Christopher O'Connell for a place in round two of this outdoor hard court tournament. The winner will face either Denis Shapovalov or David Goffin in round two.

Purcell is the world number 66 but was as high as 40th last year. The 26-year-old reached the final in Eastbourne but then was beaten in round one at Wimbledon. On hard courts, the Australian has failed to reach a quarter-final this year, so some improvement is needed. His last four ATP Tour matches on this surface have all been lost.

He's only won one set in those matches and six games in the last two matches played.

Christopher O'Connell is the world number 93 and has never lost to Purcell. They have had two previous meetings and both were won by O'Connell on a hard court. The most recent of the wins came in four sets at last year's US Open.

O'Connell has also been slipping down the rankings and was 40 places higher last year. He comes into this tournament in poor form with his last five matches all ending in defeat. One of them saw him have to retire in the second set in the Rome Masters.

That was in May and he's only played at Wimbledon since then. That didn't last too long as he lost in straight sets to Taylor Fritz winning just six games. His last good run was in March when getting to the last 16 in Miami. 

Only twice has O'Connell won two matches in an ATP Tour event this year, the other being in January. We tip Purcell to reach round two but low stakes are advised.