Felix Auger-Aliassime will need a big showing during the North American hard-court season to turn around what’s been a disappointing 2023 tennis season.
The former World No. 6 has won just 13 of 24 matches this season and was bounced in the first round of both the French Open and Wimbledon.
Auger-Aliassime has won just one of his past five contests, and that victory came against World No. 240 Pablo Llamas Ruiz on May 22.
Felix Auger-Aliassime vs. Yosuke Watanuki prediction
(12 p.m. Eastern)
Injuries have played their part in Auger-Aliassime’s dismal season, but when the Canadian has been on the court he’s been erratic and full of mistakes.
In a vacuum, Auger-Aliassime’s first match of the Citi DC Open should be just what the doctor ordered.
He’s a much better player than his opponent, World No. 99 Yosuke Watanuki, and he’s playing on his favorite surface.
But even with a sizable talent gap and the conditions pointing toward the Canadian, it’s impossible to trust Auger-Aliassime as a -320 favorite against basically any player in this field.
When he was at the peak of his powers, Auger-Aliassime was able to overcome his flaws.
He’s an aggressive player who can pull the trigger too early and make plenty of unforced errors, but his shot-making and overpowering serve could wipe away those mistakes.
But an out-of-form Auger-Aliassime has to work much harder to cover up his blemishes.
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Watanuki likely won’t have the game to upset Auger-Aliassime, but he should be able to at least nab a set against a player that is really struggling.
The play: Yosuke Watanuki +1.5 sets (-105, FanDuel)
