The action will get underway in earnest on day two at the ATP St Petersburg Open, with a number of star names set to open their campaigns in Russia’s second city. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate including J.J. Wolf vs Milos Raonic. But who will book their place in the second round in St Petersburg?
ATP St Petersburg Open Day Two Predictions
Feliciano Lopez vs Borna Coric
Head-to-head: Lopez 2-0 Coric
The 39-year-old Feliciano Lopez’s powers have clearly been on the wane over the past few years. He is still capable of producing shock wins, with his unusual all-court style making him dangerous on faster courts, but he is certainly not the force he once was. He has, however, beaten Borna Coric in both of their previous meetings, although one of his wins did come via retirement. The other saw him save three match points to win 7-5 in the third in Beijing two years ago.
However, it would be a substantial shock if he beat the Croatian again. Coric is coming off a disappointing clay-court swing, where his only win came in the first round in Rome, but he should find the conditions more to his liking at the ATP St Petersburg Open. After all, he finished as runner-up at this very tournament last season, losing in the final to Daniil Medvedev. Expect his solid baseline play to see him past the net-rushing Lopez comfortably enough.
Prediction: Coric in 2
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Karen Khachanov vs James Duckworth
Head-to-head: first meeting
James Duckworth was in great form prior to the pandemic, but the break seems to have killed his momentum. His only win since the season resumed came via walkover in the first round of qualifying at the Italian Open and he has not been handed a kind draw in St Petersburg, where he faces one of the title favourites in Karen Khachanov. The big-hitting Russian excels in slow, indoor conditions, as evidenced by his run to the title in Bercy two years ago.
This looks like a more than winnable match for a player of his ability. Khachanov’s game can be rather one note at times, which has for the most part seen him found out against the very best in the game, but he should have enough power to get the better of Duckworth in the majority of rallies. In truth, it is hard to see how the Australian will be able to really hurt his opponent. Khachanov will also be able to call upon the support of the crowd if the going does get tough for him, but do not expect it to.
Prediction: Khachanov in 2
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Vasek Pospisil vs Andrey Rublev
Head-to-head: Pospisil 1-1 Rublev
This should be one of the matches of the first round. Vasek Pospisil skipped the majority of clay-court swing, only playing at the French Open where he lost in the first round. That was perhaps understandable for a player who has never enjoyed much success on the ‘terre battue’. It would certainly not be a surprise to learn that the Canadian is glad to be back on hard courts, particularly as he enjoyed such success on this surface in North America in August and September.
However, it is hard to look past Andrey Rublev here. The Russian is in superb form himself, having reached the quarterfinals at the US Open and at Roland Garros, as well as winning his third title of the season in Hamburg. It’s been extremely difficult to stop Rublev of late, with the 22-year-old having been firing on all cylinders and doing damage off both wings. Pospisil is good enough to keep this close, but Rublev should prove too strong in the end.
Prediction: Rublev in 3
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