The final full field tour stop on the ATP’s wild COVID-19 disrupted season is the Sofia Open 250 in Bulgaria. Here’s your look at day 2 main draw action as the tennis season winds down.
Stefano Travaglia vs Nikoloz Basilashvili
Basilashvili has a h2h win against Travaglia but he’s in atrocious form and the Italian comes off qualification for the Paris Masters. Neither player is elite, but Travaglia should have the form advantage. Travaglia in 2
Martin Klizan vs Adrian Mannarino
Despite having the h2h win, Klizan is the underdog against an in-form Mannarino who reached the Astana final and 7-3 in his last 10 matches on indoor hard courts. Mannarino’s tennis suits this surface and he should make it 8 out of 11 in this battle of veterans. Mannarino in 3
Vasek Pospisil vs Ilya Marchenko
Pospisil owns a 2-1 h2h advantage and is 4-2 in his last six, Marchenko’s form hasn’t been quite as good and though he’s a streaky player, the Canadian should ride his serve+forehand combo to a comfortable victory. Pospisil in 2
Aslan Karatsev vs Taro Daniel
Both players are in great form, but Daniel comes out ahead by that measure, he’s on a seven match winning streak which includes qualification in Sofia and a challenger title. Russia’s Karatsev has been solid in qualifying matches this fall, and made the main draw both here, and in Astana via the qualifying draw. This should be a battle, but I’ll give Daniel the narrow edge. Daniel in 3
Salvatore Caruso vs Dimitar Kuzmanov
The home player Kuzmanov drew a beatable opponent in Caruso, but he’s still well off ATP caliber play in most matches. I would expect him to give it his best effort, but Caruso has more experience at the ATP level and should be able to maintain a higher level. Caruso in 2
Egor Gerasimov vs Viktor Troicki
The veteran Troicki is years off his best tennis and came through qualifying in Sofia, Gerasimov is playing at a higher level these days, coming off the quarterfinals in Astana and 5-2 in his last seven matches. Troicki is the bigger name, but Gerasimov is the appropriate favorite in this match. Gerasimov in 2
Marin Cilic vs Jonas Forejtek
An opportunity to see the 19 year old, and former junior #1, Forejtek in his ATP main draw debut. Defeating former slam champion Cilic is a tough ask though Cilic is not in world beating form right now. Forejtek is capable and should be able to contend, but Cilic should grind out a win. Cilic in 2
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