Day 4 in Lyon features several round of 16 matches on the ATP Tour. Guillermo Coria’s younger brother Federico will face off against Pablo Carreno Busta. LWOT brings you the prediction for that match as well as the other matches to watch.
ATP Lyon Open Day 4 Predictions
Karen Khachanov vs Alex Molcan
Head to head: First Meeting
Karen Khachanov has fallen under the radar in recent times having not posted a big result arguably since reaching the final of Adelaide at the start of the year. Credit to him however, he has been notching away enough wins to keep himself steadily afloat between a ranking of around 20 and 30. He’s not too shabby on clay as well having only lost to members of the top-five at the French Open in four of his last five appearances.
The danger is always there with Khachanov; the rising stock in his next opponent, however, cannot be ignored. Alex Molcan is a player on the rise, a lefty with more than his fair share of power on either wing. His game more than justifies his current top-50 ranking at #47 having made the finals of Belgrade and Marrakech in the last 52 weeks. Wins over Felix Auger-Aliassime and Botic Van De Zandschulp have got to be the picks from these runs, though it must be said these players aren’t best suited to the red dirt. It’s going to be tight but the Russian will likely have the extra bit of zip on his shots required to get over the line.
Prediction: Khachanov in 3.
Holger Rune vs Adrian Mannarino
Head to head: First Meeting
Speaking of players with rising stock, Holger Rune is making his first appearance since winning his maiden ATP title in Munich. The Dane was a force to be reckoned with in Germany–he seemed to have overcome the majority of his physical problems and is starting to play with much more savviness and patience than he used to.
Adrian Mannarino is quite the opposite. It’s difficult to forget his barren run of losses last year and, though he has slightly made up for it in the interim, his form is starting to spiral down the way once more (we’re not putting much value in his first-round win over Aslan Karatsev either). Rune is playing far better tennis at the moment and doesn’t really have the vulnerability in his backhand required to get rattled by the Frenchman’s tricky game.
Prediction: Rune in 2.
Michael Mmoh vs Manuel Guinard
Head to head: 1-0 Mmoh (Challenger Level)
This is a tough one to call. Both Michael Mmoh and Manuel Guinard are sitting outside the Top 150 at the moment. It’s the kind of Challenger match-up that will likely be incredibly close with not much to separate the two players.
There are two factors that have helped us to decide on a winner. One is the size of Guinard’s serve: if any of the sets go to a tiebreak, a few cheap points here and there could make all the difference. The second is the oft-overlooked value of home support, especially with the French crowd fighting against their countryman’s opponent.
We’re backing Guinard to stay strong on serve with the riotous French audience behind him.
Prediction: Guinard in 3.
Federico Coria vs Pablo Carreno Busta
Head to head: First Meeting
Federico Coria is definitely starting to graft his place among the best competitors in our sport. Now ranked #59 in the world, Coria has already ground his way to a quarterfinal and semifinal at ATP level this year, in Rio and Marrakech respectively. His most impressive win came over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the first round of the latter tournament. Likely having taken a few tips from his brother, he’s as steady as they come and shouldn’t be underestimated on his favorite surface.
Pablo Carreno Busta has been playing steady tennis at the highest level for a lot longer than Coria, however. Whilst both players certainly possess some firepower, in the tighter moments I’d expect the veteran to come out on top in a battle of rally temperament. Experience wins in this match-up.
Prediction: Pablo Carreno Busta in 2.
Main Photo from Getty.
