It has been a thrilling start to the week at the Rio Open, with a number of epic matches and stunning upsets. On day two, eight players will battle for a place in the quarterfinals with four intriguing matches on the slate. But who will book their place in the last eight and who will fall to defeat?
Rio Open Day Three Predictions
Federico Delbonis vs Christian Garin
Head-to-head: Garin 2-1 Delbonis
After a marathon first-round win over Slovakia’s Andrej Martin, the third-seeded Cristian Garin looks to be in for another tough test against Federico Delbonis. The Argentine made a sharp start to his Rio Open campaign, defeating Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena in straight-sets, 6-2 6-4, to claim just his second win of the Golden Swing so far. But although he is ranked 86th in the world, Delbonis should not be underestimated, particularly on the clay, where his heavy forehand can do real damage.
However, Garin is also at his best on the clay and has been in fine form so far in South America, winning his third title in the last year at the Cordoba Open, where he rallied from a set down to beat Diego Schwartzman in the final. He may not be one of the biggest hitters on tour, but he covers the court superbly and is very accurate off the ground. Expect a close contest, but Garin’s confidence will surely be up and his greater consistency should give him the edge here.
Prediction: Garin in 3
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Thiago Monteiro vs Attila Balazs
Head-to-head: first meeting
Thiago Monteiro scored a great win in front of his home crowd in the first round against Guido Pella, beating the fourth seed in a final-set tiebreak after over three hours on court. Monteiro is currently ranked 88th in the world, but it would be no surprise to see him make real strides towards the top 50 in the coming months, with his forehand a more than useful shot on the clay. But he may need to be at his best up against Attila Balazs.
The Hungarian was well-beaten in the final round of qualifying, winning just two games against Italy’s Gianluca Mager, but he took full advantage of his good fortune when he was handed a place in the main draw as a lucky loser, beating the experienced Pablo Cuevas in straight-sets. However, with the crowd behind him, the Brazilian should be the favourite here. Balazs impressed against Cuevas, but his form has been inconsistent and he could struggle to deal with Monteiro’s considerable firepower.
Prediction: Monteiro in 2
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Carlos Alcaraz Garfia vs Federico Coria
Head-to-head: first meeting
Carlos Alcaraz Garfia is one of the most exciting prospects in the game and the excitement will have only increased after his excellent 7-6 4-6 7-6 win over seventh seed and 2017 Monte Carlo Masters finalist Albert Ramos Vinolas. Federico Coria, meanwhile, is the younger brother of 2004 French Open finalist Guillermo Coria, but has never quite managed to replicate his brother’s success, instead playing the majority of his tennis on the Futures and Challenger Tours.
But he has impressed so far at the Rio Open, coming through the qualifying without dropping a set before battling past the Frenchman Corentin Moutet, 1-6 7-6 7-6, after a slow start. The chance to reach the quarterfinals at an ATP 500 event is clearly massive for both players and, despite the significant gulf in experience and ranking between the two, it looks likely to be a close contest. But it may be hard for Alcaraz Garfia to summon the same mental and physical intensity that took him past Ramos Vinolas.
After all, this will be just his second match on the main tour and his first finished very late and lasted over three hours. One suspects that that will have taken a considerable amount out of his legs, with the 27-year-old Coria perhaps well-placed to capitalise. Alcaraz Garfia has the quality to take this one the distance, with his backhand already a standout shot, but he might well not have the energy to win it if it does go three.
Prediction: Coria in 3
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Pedro Martinez vs Pablo Andujar
Head-to-head: Andujar 2-0 Martinez
This all-Spanish affair pits youth against experience. Pablo Andujar may not be one of the most well-known Spaniards on the tour, but the Castilian has had an excellent career, winning four ATP titles, and he remains comfortably inside the top 100 at world #59, despite being 34-years-old. In the first round, he proved far too strong for another of his countryman Fernando Verdasco, winning 6-3 6-3 against the ninth seed.
Pedro Martinez, 12 years his opponent’s junior, has had a rather more difficult path to the second round. After coming through the qualifying, the man from Alzira had to be at his very best to beat Bolivia’s Hugo Dellien, 3-6 6-2 7-5. But he has lost both of his previous meetings with Andujar, albeit not at tour-level, and his legs may be rather heavy after the amount of tennis he has played already so far at the Rio Open. Expect the more experienced Andujar to take full advantage with a straight-sets win.
Prediction: Andujar in 2
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