It’s a jam packed schedule on Day 3 of the ATP Sardinia Open 2020. Top seed Fabio Fognini makes his first appearance, as does the second seed Dusan Lajovic. Four Round of 16 matches and two Round of 32 matches are scheduled for Day 3. We preview and predict all six matches over two articles. The second article includes the other three matches, including Dusan Lajovic vs Laslo Djere.
ATP Sardinia Day 3 Predictions
Round of 32
Corentin Moutet vs Frances Tiafoe
Head to head – First Meeting
Frances Tiafoe is coming off of a Challenger event win in Parma, Italy, and hopes to continue his winning ways. The American has struggled for form since the tour restarted but his showing in Parma does put him in good stead for this tournament. Corentin Moutet lost an extremely tough five setter in the first round of the French Open and to come back strongly from that kind of disappointment is easier said than done. Expect an interesting three setter but Tiafoe looked good enough in Parma to clinch this match provided he’s recovered well.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 3
Round of 16
Federico Delbonis vs Pablo Andujar
Head to head – Andujar 3-0 Delbonis
If their past matches are considered, this is not a good matchup for Federico Delbonis. The Argentine has lost every single time he’s played Pablo Andujar before. All of their past meetings have been on clay and Delbonis will be eager to snap his losing streak to the Spaniard. Andujar looked slightly off on his serve at time against Jozef Kovalik dropping his serve three times while Delbonis played a good match against Andreas Seppi to come through. This should be a tight contest but expect Andujar to extend his winning streak over the Argentine on the back of his slightly more consistent baseline play.
Prediction: Andujar in 3
Fabio Fognini vs Roberto Carballes Baena
Head to head – First Meeting
Fabio Fognini has had no form whatsoever since the tour restarted. He lost in the first round at the French Open and is desperate to get back to winning ways. He takes on Roberto Carballes Baena who is fresh off of his upset win over Denis Shapovalov in the French Open but had to sadly retire in the next round. The Spaniard seems to have recovered well, winning against Federico Coria in straight sets in the first round. Expect the Italian’s woes to continue as Carballes Baena is consistent enough to draw out errors from Fognini which will swing the match in the Spaniard’s favour.
Prediction: Carballes Baena in 2
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