Day 3 of the 2021 ATP Cup sees the competition move into the final stage of the group matches. With the semifinal lineups yet to be determined, and the intrigue of Djokovic against Zverev, it promises to be another day of spectacular tennis. Here are my predictions for the action on Day 3.
Editor’s Note: All play on Thursday has been postponed due to a positive COVID test by a hotel employee. We are offering predictions for the matches originally scheduled for Thursday under the assumption they will be played Friday or a later date. We will update this post as necessary if the situation changes.
ATP Cup Day 3 Predictions
Serbia vs Germany
With this being a straight shootout to determine who will reach the semi-finals, this has the makings of being a potential classic. The first predicted singles match is Jan-Lennard Struff against Dusan Lajovic. The German recorded an impressive straight sets win over Milos Raonic, a particularly impressive performance considering his early struggles with his first serve during the first set. As the match went on, Struff began to get a good read on the Canadian’s serve and began to make quality returns of serve. On the flip side, Lajovic was completely outplayed in his opening singles match of the tournament. The Serbian was overpowered by Raonic and was never really able to gain a foothold in the match. With Struff being a similar type of opponent, i think the German will simply have two much firepower for Lajovic and i am predicting a straight sets win for Struff.
The second match of the day is Alexander Zverev against Novak Djokovic. Although not at his imperious best in his opening match of the tournament, the world number 1 upped his level when he needed to in a tight straight sets win over Denis Shapovalov. Djokovic will be looking to maintain his 100% winning record in the tournament. Alexander Zverev came back impressively from dropping the opening set against Shapovalov, however the German was wasteful of break point opportunities in the final set before going on to win in a deciding set tiebreak, sealing the match with two aces. Against the world number 1, the German cannot afford to be so wasteful. However, i think the German will push Djokovic to three sets, but the world number 1 will get the win. In the deciding doubles, if Germany use their specialist doubles pairings of Krawietz and Mies then they will arguably be the favourites, however, with Serbia likely to play Djokovic, it is a difficult one to predict.
Match Prediction: Serbia 2-1
Predicted Singles Predictions:
Struff over Lajovic in 2
Djokovic over Zverev in 3
[pickup_prop id=”4638″]
Austria vs France
Both teams lost their opening ties, and with Italy having already being confirmed as progressing through as group winners, the players in this tie will be playing mainly for ATP Ranking points. The first scheduled match of the tie is Dennis Novak against Benoit Paire. Novak achieved one of the best wins of his career in his opening match against Fognini and Benoit Paire represents a similar opponent in terms of game-style and temperament. The Frenchman showed a very poor attitude in his previous match against Fognini, and for a set and a half, Paire self imploded with unforced errors and serve problems. Despite a brief resurgence, Paire was beaten in straight sets. I think this is a great opportunity for the Austrian to record another win, and i predict him to record an upset in three sets.
The second match of the day is scheduled to be between Dominic Thiem and Gael Monfils. Thiem couldn’t find his best form and ran into a brilliant performance from Matteo Berrettini. The Austrian was not able to assert himself on the match. Gael Monfils also lost his opening match of the tournament against Berretini. The Frenchman will be looking to find form, having struggled with recent injury problems. I think that Thiem will be going out onto court with a point to prove. Since he is the player who is able to produce the more consistent tennis, the Austrian will get the win in two tight sets. With the French team having the established doubles team of Mahut and Roger Vasselin, they have the strong advantage in the doubles.
Match Prediction: Austria 2-1
Expected Singles Predictions:
Novak over Paire in 3
Thiem over Monfils in 2
Argentina vs Japan
Although neither team can qualify for the semifinals, there are still ATP Ranking points to play for. The first scheduled singles match is Guido Pella against Yoshihito Nishioka. Both players were on the receiving end of emphatic defeats to Andrey Rublev in their opening matches, and both possess similar game styles. Each looks to grind each other down from the back of the court. I predict that this will go to three sets, with Pella getting the win.
The second match of the tie features Diego Schwartzman and Kei Nishikori. Both players disappointed in their opening match defeats to Daniil Medvedev. Schwartzman had the best season of his career last year, and will be looking to gain some positive momentum ahead of the Australian Open. Nishikori hasn’t been able to play much tennis recently and the Japanese player has had injury problems to deal with over the past few seasons so hopefully 2021 will be a better year him. This should be an entertaining match with plenty of long rallies from the back of the court and i expect it to go to three sets, with Schwartzman getting the win. Argentina have strong doubles specialists in Horacio Zeballos and Maximo Gonzalez, so they should be favourites to win the doubles rubber.
Match Prediction: Argentina 3-0
Expected Singles Predictions:
Pella over Nishioka in 3
Schwartzman over Nishikori in 3
Greece vs Spain
Spain proved their squad’s strength in depth when Rafael Nadal pulled out of their tie against Australia with a back problem. With him confirming that he will not play against Greece, Pablo Carreno-Busta will be given another opportunity to play. Nadal’s absence, although unfortunate, gives Carreno-Busta another unexpected opportunity to show what he can do. The Spaniard took his chance against Australia with both hands, comprehensively defeating John Millman. Michail Pervolarakis struggled against John Millman, and I expect the Greek will struggle against Carreno-Busta, with the Spaniard recording a straight sets win.
The second match of the day is scheduled to be a mouthwatering match between Roberto Bautista Agut and Stefanos Tsitsipas. The Greek played well in a straight sets match win over Alex De Minaur. Bautista Agut showed his mental strength in recovering from a set down against De Minaur. The Spaniard will provide a tough test for Tsitsipas, and will look to wear the Greek down in long baseline exchanges. However I predict Tsitsipas to win in two tight sets. Despite the unpredictability of the doubles lineups, the Spaniard in having an experienced doubles specialist in Marcel Granollers gives them the advantage.
Match Prediction: Spain 2-1
Expected Singles Predictions:
Carreno-Busta over Pervolarakis in 2
Tsitsipas over Bautista Agut in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
