Day 3 of the Austrian Open in Kitzbuhel features all eight Round 2 matches. Who will advance to the quarterfinals? It’s always tough to predict, but we’re going to try to do our best to help you out. We’re predict all of the day’s matches. I’m looking at four of them, and Rajgopalan Sharada is looking at the other four.
Austrian Open Kitzbuhel Day 3 Predictions
Casper Ruud vs Matthias Bachinger
Head-to-Head: Never played
Ruud is a young up-and-coming star, while Bachinger is a career journeyman in his 30s. These two players are heading in different directions, and Ruud is a better player overall now. Maybe Bachinger gets a bit of help from a friendlier crowd, but it won’t be much. Expect the youngster to move on.
Prediction: Ruud in 2
Jaume Munar vs Albert Ramos-Vinolas
Head-to-Head: Ramos-Vinolas 1-0
Their only match came over three years ago, well before Munar was the player he is today. Munar is an incredible talent, but his overly-defensive style of play will cause him real problems against a talented clay-courter like Ramos-Vinolas. Ramos-Vinolas is currently in the midst of a slight resurgence, to boot. He’s playing better tennis at the moment, and that should see him through to the quarterfinals.
Prediction: Ramos-Vinolas in 3
Roberto Carballes Baena vs Lorenzo Sonego
Head-to-Head: Carballes Baena 1-0
These two met earlier this year in Buenos Aires, and the Spaniard came out ahead. Since then, though, these two have headed in different directions. Sonego has been very impressive these past few months, including winning the title in Antalya, while Carballes Baena has not reached a Tour-level semifinal this year. The Spaniard might have an advantage because of the clay, but I think Sonego should come through anyway.
Prediction: Sonego in 2
Philipp Kohlschreiber vs Pablo Andujar
Head-to-Head: 2-2
Kohlschreiber has really struggled recently, though he put on an impressive performance against Richard Gasquet on Monday. He really likes playing in Kitzbuhel, his current hometown. Will that be enough against Andujar, who is playing better tennis overall and who beat Kohlschreiber on clay a few months ago? It might just be. Expect a great match here and for the crowd to really have an impact.
Prediction: Kohlschreiber in 3
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