With the start of the French Open now less than a week away, every player in the draw at the ATP Parma Open will surely be desperate to put together a good week in Emilia-Romagna. A number of star names are set to take to the court and, as ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate including Richard Gasquet vs Daniel Altmaier. But who will reach the second round?
ATP Parma Day 2 Predictions
Steve Johnson vs Jiri Vesely
Head-to-head: first meeting
Steve Johnson is now approaching the end of what has been a fine career, but the American will be hoping to record a few more notable results before he hangs up his rackets for good. Unfortunately, he has never been a particularly adept clay-courter. He has recorded some good results on the terre battue, reaching the third round at the French Open on three occasions and twice winning the US Men’s Clay-Court Championships in Houston, but that is more a testament to his overall talent than his ability on the clay.
Jiri Vesely, meanwhile, remains a frustratingly inconsistent fixture on the ATP Tour. But the Czech can certainly play on the red dirt and has beaten Novak Djokovic on the surface. He has not managed to fulfil the potential he showed early in his career, but is still a dangerous opponent thanks to his powerful serve and forehand. With Johnson’s backhand remaining a serious weakness, expect Vesely to have enough to reach the second round at the ATP Parma Open.
Prediction: Vesely in 3
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Marco Cecchinato vs Raul Brancaccio
Head-to-head: first meeting
When Marco Cecchinato is at his best, the Italian is a very hard man to beat. Djokovic learned that much to his cost in the quarterfinals at the French Open in 2018. But the Italian is not a consistent performer and currently finds himself ranked outside the world’s top 100 after largely indifferent campaigns in 2019 and 2020. That said, he has played some good tennis in recent weeks, coming through the qualifying in Madrid and Geneva.
Raul Brancaccio, in contrast, has very little experience at ATP-level, but the 24-year-old has put together a good season so far and brings a 31-10 record into this match. Still, it is hard to ignore the fact that this will be his debut at ATP-level. As well as he has played this year, his lack of experience may well prove fatal against a player of Cecchinato’s quality. If the former-French Open semifinalist plays anything like his best tennis, expect him to prove too strong for his countryman.
Prediction: Cecchinato in 2
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Gilles Simon vs Pedro Martinez
Head-to-head: first meeting
Gilles Simon is another player coming towards the end of his career. The Frenchman’s success was built on his superb court-coverage and his ability to run almost any player into the ground, both of which have faded in recent years. That is no slight with Simon due to turn 37 later this year, but it has robbed him of his competitiveness against the best in the game and he has struggled at tour-level this year, winning just two of the nine matches he has played.
Pedro Martinez has had struggles of his own, with the Spaniard not quite managing to establish himself as a regular on the ATP Tour. But unlike Simon he has time on his side and has some momentum coming into this match after successfully negotiating the qualifying at the ATP Parma Open. Long rallies will be the order of the day here, but expect the younger man to have the edge against the veteran Simon.
Prediction: Martinez in 2
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