The ATP Madrid Open gets underway with three intriguing first-round matches on day one. All six players in action will no doubt be determined to book their place in the second round and get some valuable match practice under their belt ahead of the French Open. But who will advance?
ATP Madrid Day 1 Predictions
Lorenzo Sonego vs Jack Draper
Head-to-head: first meeting
Unsurprisingly, Lorenzo Sonego is the heavy favourite heading into this match. The Italian has not had a particularly impressive season by the high standards he has set in recent years, winning just 10 of his first 21 matches, but he is a top 30 player for a reason. Jack Draper, meanwhile, has been given a valuable chance to test his clay-court game after being awarded a wild card. But there is little in the Briton’s game to suggest he can pull off the upset here. Were the conditions more favourable, Draper might be in with a chance, but on the European clay Sonego should have too much by half.
Prediction: Sonego in 2
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Dan Evans vs Federico Delbonis
Head-to-head: Evans 1-0 Delbonis
Dan Evans won this pair’s only previous meeting in fairly comfortable fashion three years ago at Wimbledon, but Federico Delbonis should offer rather more resistance on the clay in Madrid. The Briton has struggled so far on the clay in 2022, losing in the second round in Monte Carlo and in his opener in Barcelona and Munich. Delbonis has not fared much better, but the Argentine is more at home on the terre battue than Evans. If he can keep Evans engaged in baseline rallies and stop the Briton playing on the front foot, expect Delbonis to have enough here.
Prediction: Delbonis in 3
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Filip Krajinovic vs John Isner
Head-to-head: Isner 2-1 Krajinovic
John Isner is not known for his clay-court prowess, but perhaps he should be. The surface suits his style of play, allowing him plenty of time to unload his heavy groundstrokes whilst the high altitude in Madrid ensures that he gets plenty of reward for his powerful serve. Filip Krajinovic is also well-equipped to succeed on the clay, albeit for very different reasons, but the Serbian has been poor so far this season. This is also not a match-up that suits his reactive style of play, as exemplified by Isner’s straight-sets win at Roland Garros last season. Expect the American to come out on top again here.
Prediction: Isner in 2
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