The ATP Geneva Open will conclude its first-round matches on Monday, Day 2 of the event. Two-time French Open runner-up Dominic Thiem will be the headline act as he seeks to register his first win of the season. As always we here at LWOT have got every match covered in our daily predictions. Who do you think will advance?
ATP Geneva Open Day 2 Predictions
Ilya Ivashka vs Marcos Giron
Head-to-head: first meeting
Giron’s clay-court season had gone into a tailspin before he managed to restore a semblance of consistency in Rome. And he did so as a lucky loser where he scored two mammoth wins over Alexander Bublik and Diego Schwartzman. Ivashka, for his part, hasn’t fared any better during this clay swing. Although his level of competition usurps that of the American. The Belarusian has the ammunition of a powerful first serve and heavy groundstrokes which should be effective on the day.
Prediction: Ivashka in 3
Federico Delbonis vs Ricardas Berankis
Head-to-head: Delbonis 3-1 Berankis
Berankis has been out of action since losing the final of the Lille Challenger at the end of March due to an undisclosed injury. But there is a strong indication it could be a recurrence of the elbow injury he suffered in Pune. Nonetheless, he has received a surprise wild card in Geneva. Delbnois is not in great form himself, having won just once in his last 10 matches. However, the Argentine lefty owns a dominant head-to-head record over the Lithuanian and should be more at home in Geneva where he hasn’t lost before the quarterfinals in each of his last three trips.
Prediction: Delbonis in 2
Richard Gasquet vs John Millman
Head-to-head: Millman 1-0 Gasquet
Gasquet enters this match as the slight favorite. But this could turn into a very difficult matchup for him. Millman’s superior defensive skills and rally tolerance is a major plus on clay. And if you factor in Gasquet’s last two defeats which have come against opponents ranked significantly lower, there is a good chance Millman will make life difficult for the French one-hander.
Prediction: Millman in 3
Benoit Paire vs Emil Ruusuvuori
Head-to-head: Ruusuvuori 2-0 Paire
Benoit Paire is having one of the worst seasons of his career. And if there is not an upturn in results in the second half of the campaign, it will be tough for him to hit double-digit match wins this year. Having surrendered his Top 50 ranking status, Paire needed to qualify in his last two tournaments. That won’t be necessary at the ATP Geneva Open, but he has received a tough opener in the form of Ruusuvori. The Finn will look to build on his most recent quarterfinal run in Munich and is heavily favored to pile more misery on the Frenchman’s hopes of a resurgence.
Prediction: Ruusuvuori in 2
Dominic Thiem vs Marco Cecchinato
Head-to-head: Thiem 2-1 Cecchinato
Four years ago Thiem and Cecchinato contested the French Open semifinals. But tennis can be such a quick turnaround sport. Both players have since fallen down the pecking order. Thiem’s comeback hasn’t quite sparked into life despite making some encouraging steps in recent weeks. The Austrian is still chasing that elusive first win of 2022. In comparison, Marco Cecchinato is also seeking to win a main draw match for the first time this season. The Italian won two qualifying rounds in Geneva to reach the main draw, snapping an 11-match losing streak in the process. I thought Thiem’s level in Rome was decent enough to bag at least a set against Fognini. If he plays with a clear mind and is willing to make some in-match adjustments, he should have a comfortable afternoon against the man from Palermo.
Prediction: Thiem in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
