The Stockholm Open, despite being an ATP 250 event, attracts many big names. The field looks particularly strong this year, with Jannik Sinner the top seed. There are five matches scheduled, and it promises to be an exciting day.
ATP Stockholm Open Day 3 Predictions
Alexander Bublik vs Arthur Rinderknech
Head-to-head: First Meeting
We see a consistent pattern in Alexander Bublik’s performances in the past few months. However, the problem is that he is consistently giving below-par performances all the time. Bublik is coming into the match after a second-round loss at the Paris Masters. The youngster is immensely talented, but he is doing injustice to it by not performing well enough. Arthur Rinderknech isn’t in a great nick of form either, losing in the first rounds of two of his home events, one a challenger, and the other the Paris masters. There isn’t a very big difference of level between Rinderknech and Bublik, and this match should be a close one. Bublik has the edge here, due to his huge service, which will be even more dangerous here in Stockholm.
Prediction: Bublik in 3
Botic van de Zandschulp vs Nino Serdarusic
Head-to-head: First Meeting
Botic van de Zandschulp has played only three tournaments since his dream run at the US Open. He has the distinction of being the only player to take a set off a rampaging Medvedev at the US Open. Zandschulp has made a jump in the rankings, and will no longer have to play qualifying rounds, which had hurt him in Indian Wells. Nino Serdarusic received entry into the main draw here at Stockholm as a lucky loser. He had lost in the second qualifying round, to Andrea Vavassori, in a three-setter. He has got a reprieve, but it seems unlikely that he will be able to make it count against Zandschulp.
Prediction: Zandschulp in 2
Pedro Martinez vs Emil Ruusuvuori
Head-to-head: Martinez 1-2 Ruusuvuori
From his recent results, it is clear that Pedro Martinez is not enjoying the year-ending hard court burst. After Wimbledon, Martinez has recorded a meager four main draw wins on hard courts. And with the hard courts at Stockholm being a tad bit faster, he will not be very happy. Emil Ruusuvuori, after his fine run to the semifinal at the Winston-Salem Open, has somewhat tapered off. Still, Ruusuvuori is the favorite due to his superior gameplay on faster surfaces.
Prediction: Ruusuvuori in 3
Andy Murray vs Viktor Durasovic
Head-to-head: First Meeting
These days, every other tournament keeps handing out wildcard entries to Andy Murray. But such is his legacy, that he deserves each one of it. Murray has been very unlucky to face high-quality players in early rounds. However, that doesn’t deter him from making news. He has already pulled off a few upsets and lost a few extremely close matches. He will be looking to make the breakthrough he was speaking of, anytime now. Viktor Durasovic is not very consistent on the Challenger Tour and rarely makes ATP main draws. It should be considered that Durasovic just won an ITF title last month, but still, none of his opponents there could have matched the level of Andy Murray. Murray should take the win easily over here.
Prediction: Murray in 2
Egor Gerasimov vs Taylor Fritz
Head-to-head: First Meeting
Taylor Fritz is showing remarkable consistency in the year-end hard court burst. After making the semifinal at Indian Wells, he reached the final at St. Petersburg, before falling in the quarterfinals in Paris to the eventual champion. He will be looking to continue his march. Egor Gerasimov isn’t having results that would make him proud as of late. He has consistently started making main draws of ATP events now but hasn’t been able to post great results further from that. Here at ATP Stockholm, Gerasimov was shown the door in the second qualifying round by Pavel Kotov. However, Gerasimov has made it in as a lucky loser. He will wish for more of that luck in his match against Fritz, where it will be needed in plenty.
Prediction: Fritz in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
