After Rafael Nadal wrapped up the clay-court season with a record 14th title at Roland Garros, the eyes of the tennis world switch over to the one-month grass-court circuit. The ATP Stuttgart Open, Germany welcomes the ATP Tour return of Matteo Berrettini as well as Stefanos Tsitsipas, Hubert Hurkacz, and Denis Shapovalov. Although those top seeds will not be in action on day 1, Monday in Stuttgart is filled with intriguing matches. But who will come out on top?
ATP Stuttgart Day 1 Predictions
Benjamin Bonzi vs Feliciano Lopez
Head-to-head: first meeting
40-year-old Feliciano Lopez’s career is coming to a close in a somewhat unceremonious way. The Spaniard has lost all nine matches he has played in this season, though he will look to change that on his favourite surface at the ATP Stuttgart Open. Four of the seven titles Lopez has won have come on grass. He holds a career record of 87-47 on the surface. This will be just the fourth ever tour-level match Benjamin Bonzi has played on grass. With that said, I believe the 25-year-old has the stamina and consistency to outlast Lopez.
Prediction: Bonzi in 3
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Oscar Otte vs Daniel Altmaier
Head-to-head: Otte 4-1 Altmaier
Germans Oscar Otte and Daniel Altmaier have a lot of history in ITF events but will be meeting for the first time at the tour level in Stuttgart. Separated by just six spots in the world rankings, the two have had very different paths this season. Otte has focused his sights on only tour-level events, playing in the qualifiers of many top tournaments. The 23-year-old Altmaier has split his time evenly between tour level and challenger level events. Neither player has much of a history on grass. I slightly favour Altmaier who is coming off of a May challenger title in Heilbronn.
Prediction: Altmaier in 3
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Marcos Giron vs Jan-Lennard Struff
Head-to-head: Giron 1-0 Struff
After a career year in 2021, American Marcos Giron has struggled to defend his points thus far in 2022. He has just three wins since February 24th. On the other side of the net, Jan-Lennard Struff is just 1-9 this season and will be playing his first match since March. The German has been kept out with a nagging foot injury. The one previous meeting between these came on the grass just last season. Giron edged out Struff 6-7 6-3 6-4 in Halle. I like the American to once again get the better of the German as he eases his way back on tour after a 10-week hiatus.
Prediction: Giron in 2
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Radu Albot vs Joao Sousa
Head-to-head: Albot 3-3 Sousa
After a 2020 and 2021 stretch that saw him win just three tour-level matches, Joao Sousa has reclaimed his form with an 11-8 record and a title on the ATP Tour this season. His opponent, Radu Albot, worked his way through the qualifying rounds which may offer an advantage in the first grass tournament of the season. Pair that with the fact that Sousa has a career-winning percentage of just 38.9% on the surface and I favour the Moldovan to advance.
Prediction: Albot in 3
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Lorenzo Sonego vs Benoit Paire
Head-to-head: first meeting
Sixth seed Lorenzo Sonego faces the always tough test of Benoit Paire in the first round at the ATP Stuttgart Open. Sonego had a 6-3 record on the grass last season, making a run to the round of 16 at Wimbledon. Grass has historically been Benoit Paire’s best surface. Neither player comes into this tournament sporting the best of form. Both hold a 2-4 record over their last six matches. With that said, I expect both Sonego and Paire to come out with new life this grass season. In what should be the match of the day, I like a motivated Paire to get past the Italian.
Prediction: Paire in 3
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