Day four at the ATP Madrid Open promises to be an entertaining one. There are 12 second-round matches on the schedule at the Caja Magica and some of the world’s best are set to take to the courts in the Spanish capital. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match, including Rafael Nadal vs Miomir Kecmanovic and Lucas Pouille vs Stefanos Tsitsipas. But who will advance?
ATP Madrid Day 4 Predictions
David Goffin vs Botic van de Zandschulp
Head-to-head: first meeting
David Goffin has recovered remarkably well from a difficult start to the 2022 season. The Belgian won the ATP 250 on clay in Marrakesh, and recorded an impressive win in the final round of qualifying over Alejandro Tabilo. He backed that up the opening round, beating Aslan Karatsev in straight sets. Botic Van De Zandschulp reached the final in Munich last week, before unfortunately having to retire with a breathing issue. Thankfully, van de Zandschulp has seemingly recovered from this.
He certainly didn’t look to be having any physical issues in the first round, as he saved match points in an epic win over Pablo Carreno Busta. The Dutchman possesses heavy weapons in his serve and forehand, and he also has underrated net skills, with a first ATP title surely on the horizon for the Dutchman. This is an intriguing match. Van de Zandschulp has more power, and Goffin is the better defender of the two players. However, expect the Dutchman to just about edge it thanks to his great firepower.
Prediction: van de Zandschulp in 3
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John Isner vs Cameron Norrie
Head-to-head: Isner 2-2 Norrie
Cameron Norrie is beginning to play his best tennis again after a difficult start to the season. The Brit had already won a title this year, which came in Delray Beach. Norrie’s game seems tailor-made for this surface, with the Brit’s forehand generating some of the most topspin on the ATP Tour. It’ll be interesting to see if Norrie’s game can thrive in the high altitude.
John Isner, meanwhile, has not played that much singles tennis this season. However, the American has enjoyed great success in the doubles court, winning Indian Wells with Jack Sock, and Miami with Hubert Hurkacz. Isner reached the quarterfinals in Madrid last year, and the high altitude will give him a bit more pace through the court on his serve. Expect Norrie to prove to be too consistent from the baseline for the American.
Prediction: Norrie in 2
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Alex de Minaur vs Jannik Sinner
Head-to-head: Sinner 3-0 de Minaur
Jannik Sinner saved match-points in his opening round win over Tommy Paul. Despite having physical issues, Sinner showed remarkable determination and spirit to come back to win the match in three sets. This has been a recurring theme for the Italian this season, and the Italian has won after saving match points on multiple occasions. The Italian has made real improvements in his game over the past year, especially on the serve, where he is hitting his spots more often.
Alex de Minaur came through a tough opening round against Pedro Martinez. The Australian has played well on the clay so far in 2022, most notably in Barcelona, where the Australian fell agonisingly short of reaching the final, with the Australian failed to convert match points against Carlos Alcaraz in a semifinal defeat. The Australian is one of the best athletes on the ATP Tour. This could be one of the closest matches of the day, with both players have been playing well. But the conditions favour the Italian and he should be the man to get the win in three sets.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
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Marin Cilic vs Alexander Zverev
Head-to-head: Zverev 6-1 Cilic
Alexander Zverev has had a somewhat difficult start to the 2022 season. The German has only reached one tour-level final this season, in Montpellier, and suffered a number of surprising defeats, including against Holger Rune in Munich last week. The German has struggled to implement effective tactics in matches, and the second serve is still a biker ability. The one positive for Zverev this week is the fact that he is the defending Champion, and he is a two time winner of this event.
Marin Cilic, by way of contrast, has played some good clay court tennis so far this season. The Croatian reached the quarterfinals in Estoril last week, and he took the first set off eventual champion Sebastian Baez 6-1. Despite ultimately losing that match, the Croatian showed that he still can produce elite clay-court tennis. Despite struggling for consistency over the past couple of years, Cilic is always a threat on any surface and his serve and forehand are still major weapons. Still, Zverev has a fine record in Madrid and may be able to exploit Cilic’s weaker backhand in cross-court exchanges.
Prediction: Zverev in 3
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