Poland takes on a depleted lineup of Georgia on Monday, while Spain will face Norway at the ATP Cup. The latter should provide us with a very exciting matchup between Casper Ruud and Roberto Bautista Agut. Who do you think will win? We also have predictions for matches featuring Filip Krajinovic and Serbia.
ATP Cup Day 3 Predictions
Kamil Majchrzak vs Aleksandre Bakshi
Head-to-head: First meeting
There was a degree of uncertainty around Kamil Majchrzak’s disposition going into the ATP Cup, coming from not playing professionally since October due to a wrist injury. The Pole contested an exhibition match against Jiri Vesely in the meantime and looked more or less ready to go back into the action.
Group D has some of the weaker number two players and Majchrzak enjoyed a comfortable return to competition against Greece’s Michail Pervolarakis. It wasn’t supposed to get much trickier than that against Georgia, but with a change of nomination, Majchrzak should have an even easier time holding off Aleksandre Bakshi, who’ll be playing against a top 250 player for the very first time in his career.
Prediction: Majchrzak in 2
Hubert Hurkacz vs Aleksandre Metreveli
Head-to-head: First meeting
The opening day didn’t tell us much about Hubert Hurkacz’s form coming into the 2022 season. Instead of a blockbuster matchup against Stefanos Tsitsipas, the Pole faced a surprising line-up change in Aristotelis Thanos, a 21-year-old Greek who was yet to face a top 350 player in his career. Hurkacz took it very comfortably 6-2 6-1, hardly being pushed by the lower-ranked opponent.
As Nikoloz Basilashvili opted not to play singles against Poland, Hurkacz will face Georgia’s second-best Aleksandre Metreveli instead. Again, this match is unlikely to give us any clear perspective on the World No. 9’s level right now as the rival should be quite heavily outclassed. The Georgian faced Federico Delbonis on Saturday, winning just three games against an opponent who went 0 for 10 in hard court matches last year.
Prediction: Hurkacz in 2
Viktor Durasovic vs Pablo Carreno Busta
Head-to-head: First meeting
Pablo Carreno Busta was given a stern test by Alejandro Tabilo on Saturday. The Chilean had a clear, attacking gameplan and led in both sets before the Spaniard stormed back with some excellent play in pivotal moments. Can Norway’s Viktor Durasovic provide a similar challenge? The 24-year-old doesn’t have quite the same caliber of weaponry as Tabilo, but he returns very well and can take the ball early. While he’s certainly competent enough to rally with Carreno Busta, the Spaniard should be expected to raise his level again if needed.
Prediction: Carreno Busta in 2
Casper Ruud vs Roberto Bautista Agut
Head-to-head: Bautista Agut 1-0
By far the most interesting clash of the afternoon session will feature Casper Ruud and Roberto Bautista Agut. The Norwegian’s hardcourt ascendance has been nothing short of spectacular as he managed to translate his clay-court game to faster surfaces. Meanwhile, Roberto Bautista Agut is coming off a very mediocre season for his standards. Ruud’s improved serve plus one play should give him an edge in this match, but it has to be noted that the Spaniard looked very comfortable in his opening win against Cristian Garin.
Prediction: Ruud in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
