By Tony Fairbairn
- Kyle Edmund [PR] def Michail Pervolarakis 6-2 7-5
- Edmund v Benjamin Bonzi [10] | H2H: First Meeting
WINSTON-SALEM, USA – Kyle Edmund defeated Greek lucky loser Michail Pervolarakis in straight sets to set up a second round meeting with Benjamin Bonzi in Winston-Salem.
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Kyle Edmund [PR] def Michail Pervolarakis 6-2 7-5
After a late withdrawal from Tomas Martin Etcheverry, Kyle Edmund kept his composure to reach the second round in Winston-Salem with a straight sets win over Michail Pervolarakis. The Brit was the one dictating play in the opening set as he grinded out long return games and managed to create three break points with the Greek failing to be effective on serve.
Pervolarakis hadn’t won a match since July heading into this match as he sits outside the world’s top 400 and that inexperience showed in the opening set with a flurry of unforced errors coming from his racket. In the end Edmund’s power and grit saw him break in the second and eighth games as he won the opening set in 40 minutes.
The start of the second set once again saw the Greek struggle to hold his serve while Edmund only dropped four points on serve in his opening three service games. However the Brit’s only recent return to the tour means that there are going to be blips in his comeback and one occurred in the seventh game as Pervolarakis searched for the break.
In the end though Edmund saved three break points and would break in the twelfth game as he converted his only break point of the set to seal his place in the second round, earning his second ATP win since his comeback.
H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Kyle Edmund [PR] v Benjamin Bonzi [10] | H2H: First Meeting |
| ATP Winston-Salem | Winston-Salem, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $6,420 |
| Third on Court Three (21:00 BST) | Amazon Prime Video <– Sign up for trial |
Edmund now takes on tenth seed Benjamin Bonzi in the second round with the Frenchman looking to win his first match since Newport.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2022)
| H2H: | Kyle Edmund (WR 666) | Benjamin Bonzi (WR 50) |
| Tournament Previous Best | SF (2017) | N/A |
| 1st Serve % | 54.8 | 59.9 |
| Service Games Won % | 75.9 | 83.7 |
| Break Points Saved % | 58.8 | 66.3 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 50.6 | 52.3 |
| Break Points Converted % | 75 | 36 |
Edmund will look to continue his efficiency on break points but is up against a player who is one of the most effective players on serve this season.
Playing styles and prediction
Bonzi pushed both Frances Tiafoe and John Isner to their limits in Montreal and Cincinnati but ultimately came up short, which has been a summary of his season. Bonzi hasn’t won a match since Newport and will now look to correct that ahead of the US Open.
Edmund will need to return well in this match and try to disrupt the Frenchman’s rhythm as much as possible. While Bonzi will look to put Edmund under pressure early and test the Brit’s nerve on the big points. This will be a match full of power, precision and will test both players consistency but ultimately Bonzi’s match fitness may prove the difference here.
Prediction: Bonzi in three sets.
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