With nine intriguing first-round matches on the slate on day two at the ATP Umag Open, there should be plenty of entertaining tennis. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match, including Daniel Altmaier vs Corentin Moutet and Aljaz Bedene vs Marco Cecchinato. But who will secure their spot in the second round?
ATP Umag Day 2 Predictions
Andrea Collarini vs Duje Ajdukovic
Head-to-head: first meeting
Andrea Collarini arrived at the ATP Umag Open after a miserable summer which included first-round defeats in the qualifying at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon. But he found some form to get the better of Daniel Masur and Vitaliy Sachko. Duje Ajdukovic has been performing more consistently, reaching back-to-back quarterfinals at Challenger-level in Milan and Iasi, the former as a qualifier. Collarini does have the advantage in terms of experience, but it is surely the Croatian Ajdukovic who has the higher ceiling. He will have to contend with the pressure of playing on home turf, but he has played well enough lately to suggest that this is a winnable match.
Prediction: Ajdukovic in 3
Embed from Getty Images
Bernabe Zapata Miralles vs Pablo Cuevas
Head-to-head: first meeting
There is no doubt which player has the advantage in terms of experience coming into this match. Pablo Cuevas turned professional over a decade before Bernabe Zapata Miralles and has won 238 ATP matches to the Spaniard’s four. He also has six ATP titles whilst Zapata Miralles has yet to get off the mark in that regard.
But Cuevas’ power are also undeniably on the wane, with the Uruguayan having slipped from his career-high ranking of world #19 to 94th in the ATP rankings. Zapata Miralles’ star seems to be on the rise, with the Spaniard coming through the qualifying at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. That being said, he has not played on clay since the French Open and Cuevas remains a dangerous foe.
Prediction: Cuevas in 3
Embed from Getty Images
Lucas Pouille vs Carlos Alcaraz
Head-to-head: first meeting
This looks set to be the most entertaining match of day two at the ATP Umag Open. Lucas Pouille is a shot-maker of rare ability and if the Frenchman is not at his best, he has shown flashes of what he is still capable of, particularly when he has had some momentum. Carlos Alcaraz, meanwhile, may not quite the teen phenom that Rafael Nadal – the player is sure to be compared with ad nauseum over the next few years – but he can certainly play, especially on the clay. His ability to cover the court has worn down numerous opponents and it will surely not be long until he lifts his first title. That may not come this week, but he should have too much for the Frenchman.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 2
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
