Stefanos Tsitsipas opted not to play the singles on Saturday, will he be ready for a blockbuster clash against Diego Schwartzman on Monday? Chile takes on Serbia in the other ATP Cup Monday evening tie. Who do you think will prevail? We also have predictions for the matches featuring Casper Ruud and Norway.
Filip Krajinovic vs Alejandro Tabilo
Head-to-head: First meeting
Alejandro Tabilo performed at a very high standard against Pablo Carreno Busta on Saturday. The Chilean has put himself in a good ranking position to attack the top 100 this year, especially as he’s now developed from a clay specialist to a very competent hard court player. His big, lefty game can certainly trouble Filip Krajinovic, especially at such an early stage of the season. However, simply matching the baseline consistency of the Serbian could be an issue. Tabilo is a very live underdog in this one, but Krajinovic should take it most of the time.
Prediction: Krajinovic in 3
Cristian Garin vs Dusan Lajovic
Head-to-head: 1-1
Cristian Garin started his year with a blowout loss to Roberto Bautista Agut, taking just three games. The Chilean is a lot higher-ranked than Dusan Lajovic, but owns that mostly due to his clay-court efforts. His opponents prefer the dirt too, but looked significantly more competitive against Casper Ruud on Saturday. Lajovic’s game is slightly more translatable to faster surfaces, giving him easier options to win the points. This could get messy if both players aren’t at the top of their hard-court abilities right now.
Prediction: Lajovic in 3
Federico Delbonis vs Michail Pervolarakis
Head-to-head: First meeting
Federico Delbonis failed to win any of his ten hard-court matches in 2021, but the quality of the opposition was much higher than what he’s had to face at the ATP Cup so far. The Argentinian lost just three games in his victory over Aleksandre Metreveli. Michail Pervolarakis should make it a lot more competitive, having finished runner-up at two ITF 25Ks in the latter half of the previous season. However, Delbonis is a bit better on this surface than his results would suggest and while his heavy lefty topspin forehand isn’t as effective as on clay, it’s still a weapon he can use to keep Pervolarakis behind the baseline. The upset alert is on only if the Greek plays the match of his life.
Prediction: Delbonis in 2
Diego Schwartzman vs Stefanos Tsitsipas
Head-to-head: 1-1
Stefanos Tsitsipas pulled out ahead of his singles match against Hubert Hurkacz on Saturday, competing only in the doubles (which he won alongside Michail Pervolarakis). The Greek is afraid of hampering his Australian Open preparations due to a recent elbow injury. While he looked alright in the doubles tie against Poland, lack of match rhythm could be an issue if he decides to compete here. Diego Schwartzman lost just three games to Nikoloz Basilashvili in his first performance of the season, much due to the Georgian’s 36 unforced errors. The Argentinian should be closer to his best already, although Tsitsipas is the superior hard-court player.
Prediction: Schwartzman in 3
Main Photo from Getty Images
