Despite inclement weather, Monday’s schedule of play at the Rosmalen Grass Court Championships was completed. Tournament organisers will surely be hoping that they are again able to get through the slate of matches without significant delays. But who will book their place in the second round?
Thomas Fabbiano vs Andreas Seppi
Head-to-head: Seppi 1-0 Fabbiano
Thomas Fabbiano lost in the final round of qualifying to his countryman Jannik Sinner, but was awarded a place in the main draw as a lucky loser after Jeremy Chardy pulled out. Andreas Seppi, though at his best on the clay and hard courts, has enjoyed success on grass in the past, winning the title in Eastbourne in 2011 and reaching the final at the Halle Open four years ago, where he lost narrowly to Roger Federer.
But those successes have seemed a distant memory so far this season for the veteran Seppi, who hasn’t won a match since February and is currently on a 10-match losing streak. This might look like a perfect opportunity for the older man to snap that streak, but it would not be wise to underestimate Fabbiano, who is unquestionably playing the better tennis at the moment. Expect him to take advantage of his good fortune by reaching the second round.
Prediction: Fabbiano in three
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Aljaz Bedene vs Richard Gasquet
Head-to-head: Gasquet 1-0 Bedene
Having undergone a hernia operation in January, Richard Gasquet returned to the tour just over a month ago at the Madrid Open. Since then, he has visibly struggled with his movement and is still looking for a big result to kick start his comeback. Up against Slovenia’s Aljaz Bedene, enduring a period of rather indifferent form himself, he may just be able to get it in Rosmalen.
The pair’s only meeting came at Wimbledon three years ago where the Frenchman routed Bedene 6-3 6-4 6-3 in the first round. Gasquet’s one-handed backhand works very well on the grass and he has twice made the Wimbledon semifinals, in 2006 and 2015. He has also looked to be improving with every match. Back on his favourite surface, against a player lacking major firepower and not particularly comfortable on the grass, he should be able to claim a much-needed win.
Prediction: Gasquet in two
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Thiemo De Bakker vs Adrian Mannarino
Head-to-head: De Bakker 2-0 Mannarino
Thiemo De Bakker won the Wimbledon juniors back in 2006 and reached a career-high ranking of world #41 back in 2010. Recently, however, the big-serving Dutchman has been struggling with his form and with his health, winning just a handful of ATP Challenger matches so far this season. He hasn’t played on grass since 2016 and, as a result, it is hard to judge where his level will be at.
Adrian Mannarino, in contrast, has had some good results on the grass in recent years, notably reaching the last 16 at Wimbledon in 2017 (lost to Djokovic) and 2018 (lost to Federer). But he has struggled for consistency over the past few weeks. De Bakker, with the support of the home crowd advantage and power to spare, could just pull off what would be a memorable upset in Rosmalen.
Prediction: De Bakker in three
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David Goffin vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Head-to-head: first meeting
Another former Wimbledon juniors champion, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina has, unusually for a Spaniard, a real affinity for grass-court tennis. He will certainly not be a pushover for David Goffin in Rosmalen. But the Belgian is a man in form after an impressive French Open, where he was one of just two men to take a set off eventual champion Rafael Nadal. The other was fourth seed Dominic Thiem in the final.
Goffin’s crisp ball-striking and ability to take the ball on the rise allow him to dictate points on the grass and he should be able to capitalize on the momentum he gained in the latter parts of the clay court season. The Spaniard, who has already played two matches here, won’t have to make the adjustment to playing on grass, but in the long run, Goffin’s greater quality and experience should tip the balance decisively in his favour.
Prediction: Goffin in 3
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