Third round play at the ATP Barcelona Open features Diego Schwartzman, Casper Ruud, and Frances Tiafoe taking to the clay courts in Catalonia. Here is your predictions for every Thursday match.
Diego Schwartzman vs Lorenzo Musetti
Schwartzman and Musetti have split h2h meetings, with Schwartzman winning their recent clash in Monte Carlo. Musetti has two straight set wins this week, and did the same in Monte Carlo before falling to the Argentine Schwartzman. Schwartzman was a quarterfinalist in Monte Carlo and won his opening match in Barcelona with ease. With Schwartzman having just won this matchup and playing well, he’s favored to do so again. Schwartzman in 3
Frances Tiafoe vs Felix Auger-Aliassime
Auger-Aliassime slipped past Carlos Taberner in three sets in his opening match, Tiafoe was a quarterfinalist in Houston and defeated Hugo Dellien to open proceedings in Barcelona. Both players are looking for form on clay, Tiafoe’s form looks slightly better even though he’s the lower ranked of the pair. It would be a modest upset, but I’ll back the American to get the win here. Tiafoe in 3
Pablo Carreno Busta vs Lorenzo Sonego
This pair have split h2h meetings, Sonego won his first-round match in straights, as did Carreno Busta, Sonego hasn’t made a deep run in a tournament since reaching the semifinals in Buenos Aires in February. Carreno Busta has been somewhat inconsistent as well, both these players are comfortable on clay, Carreno Busta is playing at home though so I would give him an edge. Carreno Busta in 2
Cameron Norrie vs Marton Fucsovics
Norrie leads the h2h 3-0, Fucsovics has dominated his two opponents this week, Norrie reached the final in Acapulco on hard courts and has struggled to make deep runs since. Norrie has a better record overall and a slightly better record on clay, even if he’s not in world beating form right now he should be able to secure a win given the h2h. Norrie in 2
Emil Ruusuvuori vs Casper Ruud
Casper Ruud was out in the second round at Monte Carlo after reaching the Miami final, he then eased past Brandon Nakashima in the opening round of this tournament. Ruusuvuori has two straight set wins this week, Feliciano Lopez and Alexander Bublik were his opponents in rounds 1 and 2. The Fin qualified for Monte Carlo and is showing strong form on clay. This match is closer to a coin flip than you would expect, with Ruusuvuori in good form, even though Ruud is comfortable on clay, he should be challenged here, I still think he survives. Ruud in 3
Main Photo:
