Day 2 at the ATP Barcelona Open sees the beginning of the second round, with Denis Shapovalov beginning his clay court season, having chosen not to play in Monte Carlo. With the likes of Jannik Sinner and Roberto Bautista Agut also in action, it promises to be another day of exciting tennis. Here are my predictions for four of the matches on Day 2. We also predict the day’s other matches in two other articles. One features Carlos Alcaraz vs Frances Tiafoe and the other features Feliciano Lopez vs Lorenzo Musetti.
ATP Barcelona Open Day 2 Predictions
Egor Gerasimov vs Jannik Sinner
Head to Head: First Meeting
Despite a slow start to the match, Egor Gerasimov took advantage of Jo-Wilfred Tsonga’s lack of matches this season, recording a relatively comfortable straight sets victory. The Belorussian has also defeated the likes of Andy Murray this season and is producing a good level of tennis.
Jannik Sinner may have lost to Novak Djokovic in Monte Carlo last week, but the Italian played a good match, moving Djokovic around the court. Some areas of his game still require work, like his serve placement and how he plays the big points in matches. Having reached the final in Miami, the Italian is full of confidence and is a strong clay court player.
I think the Italian will be eager to get back on the match court and I think he will have too much for Gerasimov.
Prediction: Sinner in 2
David Goffin vs Pierre-Hugues Herbert
Head to Head: 6-0 Goffin
The pair are good friends off court, but that will be forgotten when they step onto the match court. The Frenchman recorded a straight sets victory over Sumit Nagal in the opening round, his first singles win of the clay court season. Herbert is also playing doubles with fellow Frenchman Nicolas Mahut and he is effective in bringing over attributes from the doubles court into his singles game, with his great net game.
David Goffin reached the quarterfinals of Monte Carlo last week, coming through a brutal first round draw against Marin Cilic. The Belgian has one of the best backhands in the men’s game. He can effectively use it down-the-line as well as cross court and he also has a strong return of serve, making up for his lack of firepower.
I think Goffin’s consistency from the back of the court combined with his strong return game will help him achieve a straight sets win.
Prediction: Goffin in 2
Roberto Bautista Agut vs Pablo Andujar
Head to Head: 2-0 Bautista Agut
Pablo Andujar recorded his first main tour win of the season against Gilles Simon, in a match that was scrappy in nature due to neither player being able to comfortably hold serve. However, now that Andujar has achieved a win, he has got the monkey off his back so to speak, and he is playing with house money against his Spanish counterpart.
Roberto Bautista Agut put in a strong performance in Monte Carlo, pushing Andrey Rublev to three sets. The Spaniard is notoriously difficult to beat and has an ability to wear out opponents from the back of the court, making up for his lack of firepower. Although not his best surface statistically, the Spaniard is always difficult to hit through, and the slow clay courts will give him more time on the ball.
I think Bautista Agut is the more consistent player and although Andujar has nothing to lose, I think Bautista Agut will get a straight sets win.
Prediction: Bautista Agut in 2
Jeremy Chardy vs Denis Shapovalov
Head to Head: 3-0 Shapovalov
These two faced each other recently in Dubai, where the Canadian prevailed in straight sets. Shapovalov is undoubtedly an unbelievably talented player. However, at times he struggles with shot selection and reining in the unforced errors. Examples of this were present in his defeats to Lloyd Harris in Dubai and Hubert Hurkacz in Miami.
Jeremy Chardy is in many ways a direct opposite of the Canadian. However, he does possess a powerful serve. However, that is no criticism of the Frenchman’s game. He is solid in all areas and is very tough to break down from the back of the court and his solid net game means he possesses a lot of variety in his game. The Frenchman defeated Nikoloz Basilashvilli in the opening round and will be a tough test for the Canadian.
The pair have never met on clay before, and I think that the Frenchman has the potential to cause an upset as Shapovalov’s power will be neutralized by the clay. Chardy will have to play well, and it’s by no means a given but I think the Frenchman will cause the upset, being awarded for his consistency.
Prediction: Chardy in 3
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