Day 2 in Santiago sees two accomplished juniors Sebastian Baez and Holger Rune battle it out, while Cordoba Champion Juan Manuel Cerundolo is back in action. We also have predictions for matches featuring Joao Sousa and Federico Delbonis in Santiago.
Gianluca Mager vs Federico Coria
Coria, a semifinalist in Cordoba, is looking to avenge his loss to Mager in their only meeting. This is a battle of journeyman clay courters who make their careers winning matches like this. Coria should have a slight edge based on form. Coria in 3
Jozef Kovalik vs Alejandro Tabilo
Tabilo is in excellent form, he came through qualifying without dropping a set and previously reached a challenger semifinal this year. Kovalik has a quarterfinal in Cordoba and a couple of other solid challenger tour results but Tabilo’s form puts this matchup in his favor for now. Tabilo in 2
Sebastian Baez vs Holger Rune
Baez won a challenger title and just came through qualifying. At a career high ranking and making his ATP main draw debut, a lot is expected from the rising star who reached the final of the junior French Open. For his first ATP main draw match he faces another rising star, Holger Rune, the 17 year old and former French Open junior champion made his ATP main draw debut in Buenos Aires as a wild card, and now after qualifying he gets a second chance at a maiden main draw win against Baez. This is a battle of clay courters who we are sure to see more of in the coming years. A slight edge to Baez at this time. Baez in 3
Juan Manuel Cerundolo vs Gonzalo Lama
The Cordoba champion Cerundolo will be favored against Lama. Lama has the advantage of playing at home but Cerundolo has demonstrated he can play at a higher level lately in this battle of clay courters. Cerundolo in 2
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