Four Round of 16 clashes are scheduled for Day 3 at the ATP Umag Open, which also sees the top seed in action as well. Plenty of interesting matchups to feast your eyes on and as ever, we at LWOT preview and predict all four matches for you.
ATP Umag Day 3 Predictions
Richard Gasquet vs Alessandro Gianessi
Head to head – First Meeting
The veteran Frenchman lost early at the Swedish Open last week but Umag provides him with the opportunity to right that wrong. Richard Gasquet is still pretty good on a tennis court and it’ll be great to see him go up against Alessandro Gianessi.
The Italian played a solid qualifying here in Umag and backed that up against Jiri Vesely as well in the first round. Expect Gianessi to put up an excellent fight but Gasquet should be just consistent enough to nab the victory.
Prediction: Gasquet in 3
Carlos Taberner vs Stefano Travaglia
Head to head – First Meeting
Carlos Taberner seems to be enjoying the post Wimbledon clay court swing. The young Spaniard has won more than he’s lost and his latest win here was a total domination of his opponent.
Stefano Travaglia on the other hand is 9-16 this year and has struggled throughout 2021. The Italian did manage to get past sixth seed Jaume Munar in the first round but the Spaniard has looked more impressive. Expect Taberner to continue his good form.
Prediction: Taberner in 2
Duje Ajdukovic vs Albert Ramos-Vinolas
Head to head – First Meeting
Albert Ramos-Vinolas is the top seed here and the Spaniard is a treat to watch at times on the clay. He’s won a title this year in Estoril and his game is well suited for the slower surfaces. He suffered a bad defeat at the recent German Open and it’ll be interesting to see how he turns it around.
Duje Ajdukovic received a wild card and has done justice to the opportunity provided to him so far. The young Croat was impressive in the recent challenger events and produced an inspired performance in the first round here. Expect Ajdukovic to give his all and nab a set but the experienced Spaniard should prove to be a class above.
Prediction: Ramos-Vinolas in 3
Marco Cecchinato vs Damir Dzumhur
Head to head – Cecchinato 4-2 Dzumhur
This should be an interesting one. Both players enter this match after having soundly beaten their opponents in their respective first round affairs. Marco Cecchinato loves to play on the clay and the Italian possesses enough court craft to go head to head with many on the tour.
Damir Dzumhur, on the other hand, relies on his baseline heavy game to win matches. It will be fascinating to see how he counters Cecchinato’s disruptive game. Expect a high octane clash with neither player giving an inch, but it feels like Cecchinato holds the slight upper hand based on his superior ability to protect his serve better. Also, the fact that he’s never lost to Dzumhur on clay should make a difference.
Prediction: Cecchinato in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
