There should be plenty of entertaining tennis on day three at the ATP Montpellier Open, with a number of star names set to take to the courts at the Arena Montpellier. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the schedule, including Gilles Simon vs Roberto Bautista Agut. But who will reach the quarterfinals?
ATP Montpellier Day 3 Predictions
Ilya Ivashka vs Mackenzie McDonald
Head-to-head: Ivashka 1-1 McDonald
It seriously went under the radar just how good Ilya Ivashka’s 2021 was. From winning his maiden ATP title in the USA to beating current world #3 Alexander Zverev, there certainly wasn’t too much to complain about for the Belarusian. This could also be a profitable week for Ivashka. Indoor hardcourts are where he should thrive with a big serve and power off both wings, something McDonald should struggle to contain with a more passive style of tennis. That said, Ivashka hasn’t played since the beginning of November and has since then pulled out of several events including last month’s Australian Open. Where his form will be is very questionable which might well give Mackenzie McDonald, a fine player in his own right, the edge.
Prediction: McDonald in 3
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Alexander Bublik vs Pierre-Hugues Herbert
Head-to-head: Herbert 1-0 Bublik
Despite Pierre-Hugues Herbert leading the head-to-head courtesy winning the only match the two have played, it doesn’t really mean much having come back in 2018. In all honesty, it’s something of a surprised the Frenchman beat Peter Gojowczyk in the first round, let alone how easily he did. In almost every department of the game Bublik is the better player, but the two areas which favour Herbert are the serve and volley. It’s hard to see the world #35 being broken often if at all in the match, but on the other hand his return may not be good enough to break Herbert’s. We could well be in store for a tiebreaks as a result, but expect Bublik to prevail even if it is close.
Prediction: Bublik in 2
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Filip Krajinovic vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Head-to-head: Krajinovic 1-0 Tsonga
It’s always a joy to watch Jo-Wilfried Tsonga play and it was no doubt great to see him win his opening match against Kacper Zuk, but this is an entirely different ball game. Filip Krajinovic might not be in the best form of his career, but what he does have is a game which is solid in every department be it the serve, forehand, backhand or return, something which will be the former-top 10 player’s worst nightmare. As much as it would be great to see Tsonga get one more top 40 win under his belt, the world #259 hasn’t beaten a player ranked that high since October 2019. Krajinovic should get more than enough returns into play to demand Tsonga to play more shots than he has these days. This should be an easy win for the Serb.
Prediction: Krajinovic in 2
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