The European clay-court swing begins in earnest this week with action in Marbella and at the ATP Sardinia Open in Cagliari. There are eight first-round matches on the slate on day two in Sardinia and, as always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the schedule, including Joao Sousa vs Jan-Lennard Struff. But who will book their place in the second round?
ATP Sardinia Open Day Two Predictions
Liam Broady vs Marc-Andrea Huesler
Head-to-head: first meeting
Marc-Andrea Huesler is playing his first ATP Tour-level match this year at the ATP Sardinia Open and it’ll be fascinating to see how he contends with the step up in level and pressure. That said, the Swiss typically plays his best tennis on the clay and he takes on a player who’s just one place below him in the rankings. Liam Broady is certainly talented, but the terre battue is unquestionably his best not surface. As the match goes on, expect Huesler to increasingly dictate from the baseline and to be the man to get the win.
Prediction: Huesler in 3
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Marco Cecchinato vs Thomas Fabbiano
Head-to-head: Fabbiano 2-1 Cecchinato
This pair have never met on the main tour, although one suspects they are fairly familiar with each other’s games having played three times at Challenger and Futures level. Based on their previous encounters, this could be anyone’s match. Thomas Fabbiano will be playing just his second main draw match this year on the ATP Tour, whilst Marco Cecchinato, who has won just one of his last seven matches, has put together a sub par 2021 to say the least. Expect an even contest, but Cecchinato’s clay-court prowess cannot be ignored. That should just about tilt the match in his favour.
Prediction: Cecchinato in 3
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Andrej Martin vs Jiri Vesely
Head-to-head: Vesely 1-1 Martin
Jiri Vesely is a player that has the potential to put together a good run at the ATP Sardinia Open. The Czech is certainly a decent clay-courter, having even notched a win over the great Novak Djokovic back in 2016 in Monte Carlo, which doesn’t bode well for the relatively inexperienced Andrej Martin. The Slovakian may be able to draw some confidence from having beaten Vesely before, but that match came nine years ago. Expect Vesely to dominate and get the win.
Prediction: Vesely in 2
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Gilles Simon vs Stefano Travaglia
Head-to-head: first meeting
The veteran Gilles Simon will need to be wary of his first-round opponent at the ATP Sardinia Open. Stefano Travaglia is close to his career-high ranking after what has been a solid start to 2021 for the Italian and he will surely be desperate to make an impact playing on home soil. Simon last won a clay-court title in 2012, but although the Frenchman is not the force he once was, his fighting spirit is still intact. Expect a tight battle, but Simon’s considerable experience should just about give him the edge in this one.
Prediction: Simon in 3
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