The majority of the second-round matches at the ATP Rio Open will be completed on day two with eight intriguing contests on the schedule. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Francisco Cerundolo vs Benoit Paire. But who will advance to the second round?
ATP Rio Day 2 Predictions
Federico Coria vs Cristian Garin
Head-to-head: Garin 2-1 Coria
All three of this pair’s previous meetings have gone to three sets, one of which was the last time this tournament was held. On that occasion it was Cristian Garin who emerged victorious, 7-5 in the third. There is no reason to think that much will change here. Garin is again the player favoured more by most, as he has been on each occasion they have met, and the Chilean is unquestionably the player with the greater potential. On the opening day at the ATP Rio Open, serving didn’t have a huge bearing on the match so construction and completion of rallies will be key. Garin has the bigger weapons to finish points expect him to progress, but it will be a tough match for the fifth seed.
Prediction: Garin in 3
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Fernando Verdasco vs Dusan Lajovic
Head-to-head: Lajovic 3-2 Verdasco
Not unlike the previous match, these two have a very close head-to-head record. Four of their five matches have gone to three sets, with the last one, on clay, going all the way to a third set tiebreak. Dusan Lajovic has been in solid enough shape over the last few weeks, but Fernando Verdasco’s form is difficult to judge because of the amount of time he has spent away from the tour recovering from injury. Verdasco has been in South America for a month or so now though and appears to be finding his touch after a promising run in Buenos Aires. The Spaniard’s sledgehammer forehand could be the shot to make a difference here.
Prediction: Verdasco in 3
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Albert Ramos Vinolas vs Juan Ignacio Londero
Head-to-head: first meeting
These two met two weeks ago in Cordoba with Ramos emerging victorious. However, there are reasons to believe that Londero might be worth chancing to turn that form around. Unlike Albert Ramos Vinolas, Juan Ignacio Londero had to qualify for this main draw, but the Argentinian did so in fine style with a couple of straight-sets over Carlos Taberner and Roberto Carballes Baena, both of whom are ranked above him. Londero knows the conditions and will have the advantage of greater match sharpness. He is also a player in need of some ranking points out of this event to preserve his top 100 status. Ramos will, of course, be fired up too, but expect Londero to have just about enough.
Prediction: Londero in 3
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Lorenzo Sonego vs Laslo Djere
Head-to-head: Sonego 2-1 Djere
The Italian has won both times that this pair have met on clay. When clay is your best surface, as it probably is with Laslo Djere, that is a concern coming into this match. However, Djere has some reason to believe he has a chance here. The Serbian has a higher hold percentage and even a better break percentage than Lorenzo Sonego, so if he is able to find his best tennis, or something close to it, then he can certainly put up a fight. However, Djere’s defeat to his fellow countryman Miomir Kecmanovic in Buenos Aires is a real concern whilst Sonego looked in very good form last-time out and had chances to reach the final. On that basis alone it is tough to look elsewhere for the winner here.
Prediction: Sonego in 3
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