The Winston-Salem Open has reached that familiar late-summer point where every result feels like part of the build-up to the US Open, and the latest ATP predictions column reflected that sense of urgency. Among the day 2 calls, Lorenzo Sonego was backed to beat Vit Kopriva in three sets, a verdict that suggests a tight contest rather than a straightforward route through to the last 16.
That is exactly what makes this stage of the calendar interesting. Winston-Salem is the final tournament before the US Open, so the stakes are not just about one match or one round. For several players, it is a chance to find rhythm on hard court, sharpen details and carry some momentum into the season’s next major event.
What the day 2 predictions highlighted
The predictions column published by Last Word On Sports also pointed to Bonzi in 3, Walton in 3 and Altmaier in 2. Those calls give a clear picture of the type of tennis expected in Winston-Salem: competitive matches, some longer battles and a few players needing to earn their progress the hard way.
For Sonego, the three-set prediction stands out because it places him in a match that looks finely balanced. A win of that kind would not just move him on in Winston-Salem. It would also offer the sort of late hard-court confidence players are often searching for before heading into the US Open.
Why Winston-Salem matters now
Winston-Salem has often been a useful stop on the road to New York, and the timing is the key point here. The tournament sits directly before the US Open, which means every prediction and every result carries a little more weight than usual.
The reference points in the column underline that wider context too. Daniil Medvedev won the Winston-Salem title in 2018, and he also went on to win the US Open title in 2021. That does not tell the future for this year’s draw, but it does remind you that form in this stretch of the season can matter.
For now, the focus is on the Day 2 selections and the players highlighted there. Sonego, Vit Kopriva, Bonzi, Adam Walton and Daniel Altmaier all feature in a predictions piece that frames Winston-Salem as the last meaningful tune-up before the US Open begins.
