Saturday marks the beginning of the second round in the very uncommon schedule of the 2020 ATP Antalya Open. Three seeds will return to court, while Emil Ruusuvuori will take on Stefano Travaglia in the only second-round match with two unseeded players. Who do you think will reach the quarterfinals?
ATP Antalya Day 3 Predictions
Stefano Travaglia vs Emil Ruusuvuori
Head-to-head: First meeting
This should be very entertaining. Stefano Travaglia mounted a comeback to take out 7th seed Miomir Kecmanovic in the opening round, while Emil Ruusuvuori took out Jiri Vesely. The young Finn’s performance was good enough to make him considered the favorite here, and rightfully so. Travaglia covers the court really well but doesn’t have as much to say in the offense department as Ruusuvuori. The 21-year-old should be the one taking the initiative here and if he keeps up the level from his first-round match, he should be the one to take the victory home.
Prediction: Ruusuvuori in 3
Adrian Andreev vs Alex de Minaur
Head-to-head: First meeting
19-year-old Adrian Andreev is on the best run of his short career and most certainly playing his best tennis yet. But it will be a huge step up in competition here and an even greater ask to eliminate Alex de Minaur. The Australian is usually one of the more reliable competitors on the circuit and Andreev doesn’t possess many weapons to take on his impressive counterpunching. De Minaur hasn’t been properly tested yet but there was nothing in his win over Malek Jaziri to indicate that he was to bring something less than 100% to the table later on in the event.
Prediction: de Minaur in 2
Nikoloz Basilashvili vs Altug Celekbilek
Head-to-head: First meeting
It might sound like a mismatch on paper, but this might actually be one of the tighter clashes of the round. Nikoloz Basilashvili finally snapped his losing streak by coming back from the brink against Andrea Arnaboldi. There were enough positive signs in the deciding set to consider the possibility that he might be starting to play himself back into form. It’s going to be a long way and once Altug Celekbilek found his footing in the opening round; he actually performed at a very good level. This should be mostly dependent on Basilashvili’s disposition, but Celekbilek is good enough to take advantage if that’s not up to par.
Prediction: Basilashvili in 3
David Goffin vs Nicola Kuhn
Head-to-head: First meeting
A win like the one over Pierre-Hugues Herbert should do wonders for David Goffin’s confidence. Saving a total of five match points, the Belgian was able to stay in the match and never looked back, winning the decider with a bagel. Nicola Kuhn was very fortunate to get here as Matthias Bachinger injured himself after taking the first set and couldn’t finish their first-round match. Goffin’s class is undeniable. If he can finally sort out his mental issues, this should be rather straightforward.
Prediction: Goffin in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
