The first-round action continues at the ATP Auckland Open 2020 on Day 2. We preview four round of 32 matches scheduled, including Adrian Mannarino vs Andreas Seppi and predict who completes the round of 16 brackets.
ATP Auckland Open Day 2 Predictions
Joao Sousa vs Vasek Pospisil
Head to head – Sousa 4-1 Pospisil
Joao Sousa returns to the main ATP circuit after competing in Basel last year. The Canadian, Vasek Pospisil is still capable of springing a surprise or two but definitely lacks consistency in the singles arena. It’s a tough draw for both the players as the winner is slated to take on Denis Shapovalov in the next round.
Sousa does enjoy head to head advantage but Pospisil won the last time they met on the hard courts of Shanghai. It’s a pretty tough call considering this is Sousa’s first match since October but with Pospisil failing to make an impact at a Challenger event last week, expect the Portuguese to tough this one out.
Prediction: Sousa in 3
Feliciano Lopez vs Pablo Andujar
Head to head – Lopez 3-1 Andujar
Two Spanish veterans lock horns for the fifth time against each other and judging by their previous matches, it should be a long battle. Feliciano Lopez did well in his doubles matches at the ATP Cup but singles is a different ballgame altogether. Lopez wouldn’t mind playing on the hard courts as his serve and volley tactic is highly useful on this surface.
Pablo Andujar didn’t have a good start to 2020 losing to Fernando Verdasco in the first round in Doha. Andujar has never beaten Lopez on a hard court but has come close on both the occasions they’ve played on hard courts. Expect another arduous match with Lopez’s serve proving to be the decisive factor yet again.
Prediction: Lopez in 3
Radu Albot vs Marco Cecchinato
Head to head – First Meeting
Radu Albot endured a tough ATP Cup campaign failing to win a single set in his three singles matches. He’d be eager to get back to winning ways and against Marco Cecchinato, Albot should be confident to get the job done.
The Italian is 7-27 on hard courts over his career and his Qatar Open 2020 campaign ended in a first-round loss. Albot plays his best on hard courts and won his first title at Delray Beach last year as well. Cecchinato is a formidable player on the clay courts but hasn’t managed to produce his best tennis on the hard courts. Against Albot, he’ll be up against a player who is a more accomplished player on hard courts. Expect Albot to progress forward.
Prediction: Albot in 2
Adrian Mannarino vs Andreas Seppi
Head to head – Mannarino 5-4 Seppi
Adrian Mannarino and Andreas Seppi take on each other for the tenth time. It’s a manageable draw for either player at least till the quarterfinals. The Frenchman is playing better in recent years as compared to the Italian who last won a title in 2012.
Mannarino crashed out in the first round in Doha to Alexander Bublik and with the Australian Open set to begin next week it’s imperative the Frenchman brings his best on the court. Seppi hasn’t beaten Mannarino the last two times they’ve met on hard courts and with both players relying on their baseline game, the Frenchman looks stronger out of the two to get through to the round of 16.
Prediction: Mannarino in 2
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