There were plenty of surprise results on Monday at the ATP Cologne Indoors in Germany. Will that trend continue on day two? We here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for all six matches on the slate, including Andy Murray’s clash with Fernando Verdasco and the matchup between the exciting young guns Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Emil Ruusuvuori. Who will advance to the second round?
ATP Cologne Indoors Day Two Predictions
Daniel Altmaier vs Henri Laaksonen
Head-to-head: Laaksonen 1-0 Altmaier
The last time this pair met, almost six years ago, Henri Laaksonen crushed a 16-year-old Daniel Altmaier at a Futures event on carpet. A great deal has changed since. Laaksonen has been unable to establish himself as a tour-level regular, but Altmaier’s recent exploits suggest that the German might have a very bright future in the men’s game. After some strong showings on the Challenger Tour, Altmaier enjoyed a breakout run at Roland Garros.
In fact, it was little short of a party. He stormed through the qualifying, dropping just one set in the process, and then won through to the second week, upending Feliciano Lopez, Jan-Lennard Struff and Matteo Berrettini in the process. He might have his work cut out for him in the first round here, however, with Laaksonen coming through the qualifying at the ATP Cologne Indoors without dropping a set. But Altmaier is surely full of confidence. Expect him to extend his run of positive results.
Prediction: Altmaier in 3
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Gilles Simon vs Marton Fucsovics
Head-to-head: first meeting
Gilles Simon has looked very rusty since the season resumed inside the New York bubble, compiling a 3-7 record with his only wins coming over world #112 Taro Daniel, world #135 Mohamed Safwat and world #638 Mats Rosenkranz. It’s not been the most encouraging run to say the least. On paper, then, Marton Fucsovics should be expecting a relatively comfortable outing. He has, after all, enjoyed a largely excellent season.
The Hungarian has posted a very impressive 8-3 record at the Majors, reaching the fourth round in Melbourne and Paris, while going a robust 11-6 at regular tour events. Unfortunately, Fucsovics has a well-established habit of delivering horrendous performances amidst his fantastic displays, seemingly at random. As a result, it is hard to know what to expect from in the first round at an ATP 250 event. But if he plays anything like his best tennis, he should have the beating of the struggling Simon.
Prediction: Fucsovics in 2
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Marin Cilic vs Ricardas Berankis
Head-to-head: Cilic 1-0 Berankis
Following a lackluster start to 2020, Ricardas Berankis has been quietly impressive since the restart. In the three tournaments he has played since the season resumed in August, the Lithuanian’s only defeats have come at the hands of Novak Djokovic, who has beaten him twice, and Pablo Carreno Busta. Prior to those defeats, he had picked up a combined six wins. He may well feel confident about his chances of putting together a deep run in Cologne as a result.
One would expect Marin Cilic to have the necessary firepower to overpower Berankis, however. But the Croatian is not the player he once was. Indeed, since the start of 2019, the 2014 US Open champion has accrued 32 wins and 28 losses, which is hardly impressive by his lofty standards. That said, he still boasts an excellent serve and a powerful forehand. That should be enough to see him do some damage during this abbreviated indoor swing.
Prediction: Cilic in 3
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