The 2020 ATP Marseille Open gets underway with a jam-packed draw that boasts of players like Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Karen Khachanov to name a few.
We preview and predict one qualifier match and three main draw matches scheduled for Day 1 at the Marseille Open.
ATP Marseille Open Day 1 Predictions
Alexei Popyrin vs Ilya Ivashka
Head to head – First Meeting
The young Aussie continues his search for his maiden ATP Tour-level title and to win it as a qualifier would be quite a feat. But first, he has to qualify, which he failed to do in Rotterdam. Ilya Ivashka too still seeks his first title but has to pull off a surprise win against the dynamic Alexei Popyrin to have any hopes of doing so. Judging by their previous qualifying matches in Marseille, Popyrin looked much more comfortable and the big-serving Aussie should book his place in the main draw.
Prediction: Popyrin in 2
Mikael Ymer vs Richard Gasquet
Head to head – First Meeting
Richard Gasquet’s fitness is still a cause of concern for the Frenchman as he retired from his quarter-final match in Montpellier after being a set down. He’d have to be at his best if he’s to progress forward against a tricky opponent in Mikael Ymer. The Swede didn’t have a particularly good tournament in Montpellier but is capable of taking advantage of an ailing Gasquet. If the Frenchman remains competitive throughout the match, expect an interesting clash and should go the distance. Unfortunately for Gasquet, the longer the match goes it’s advantage Ymer and the Swede should progress through.
Prediction: Ymer in 3
Benoit Paire vs Gregoire Barrere
Head to head – Paire 1-0 Barrere
Benoit Paire’s form since Auckland has been woeful, to say the least. The Frenchman has won just one match over three tournaments and enters this match short on confidence. His fellow countryman, Gregoire Barrere has fared slightly better including a quarter-final run in Montpellier.
Paire has beaten Barrere before in Metz last year and the conditions were pretty similar to Marseille. However, this match may not be as straightforward as their previous meeting and may very well go the distance. Even though Paire is currently not at his best, expect his experience to pay dividends at the latter stages of the match.
Prediction: Paire in 3
Marton Fucsovics vs Alexander Bublik
Head to head – First Meeting
This is a must-watch first-round encounter between the consistent Marton Fucsovics and the unorthodox Alexander Bublik. The Hungarian is a solid baseliner and should be able to adapt to the fast indoor courts of Marseille.
Bublik knows it’ll be a tough task to get past Fucsovics who’s been playing well in 2020. The Kazakh brings an exciting brand of tennis to the tour and at his best can trouble the top players as well. His serve is a huge weapon and how effective that’ll be can determine the outcome of the match. That being said, Bublik has been known to commit a lot of unforced errors and that’s a dangerous proposition against the consistent Hungarian. Expect a fierce contest with the confident Fucsovics clinching it.
Prediction: Fucsovics in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
