The exciting draw for the ATP Mallorca Open 2022 is in action on Day 4 of the tournament. This week is the last chance for players to find their feet on grass before the all-important Wimbledon begins in London. As ever, we at LWOT preview and predict all scheduled matches for you, including four in a separate article.
ATP Mallorca Day 4 Predictions
Tallon Griekspoor vs Alex Molcan
Head to head – Griekspoor 1-0 Molcan
It’ll be interesting following the victor of this match throughout the coming week. Tallon Griekspoor has had a decent grass court season so far with wins over quality opponents in the tournament he’s played. He’s taken out Feliciano Lopez in two tiebreaker sets it should give him quite some confidence to take on Alex Molcan.
The Slovak, who is coached by Novak Djokovic’s ex-coach, is a pretty flat ball striker which should suit the quick grass courts. That being said, the Dutchman has already beaten Molcan once in their sole previous meeting and that too on grass this year. Expect Griekspoor to just nab the win.
Prediction: Griekspoor in 3
Antoine Bellier vs Pablo Carreno Busta
Head to head – First Meeting
It’s a common myth that Spaniards are not well suited to play on the grass courts and it certainly does not apply to Pablo Carreno Busta. The Spaniard’s game has very less spin compared to his peers and he has worked hard to shoot his game for all surfaces. Busta is a dangerous ball striker and it’s only a matter of time before he has the results to show for it. He reached the quarter-finals last week in Halle and it should be an easy assignment first up here.
Antoine Bellier so far has primarily competed in Challenger tournaments and to expect the Swiss to win against a seasoned player is expecting too much. Expect an easy win for the Spaniard.
Prediction: Carreno Busta in 2
Benjamin Bonzi vs Denis Shapovalov
Head to head – First Meeting
So far, not so good for 2021 Wimbledon semifinalist Denis Shapovalov. The Canadian has failed to win a single grass court match this year and this is his third tournament. The eccentric stroke maker will be hoping his fortunes turned around quickly before Wimbledon starts.
It won’t be an easy start for the Canadian in Mallorca as he takes on tricky Benjamin Bonzi in his opening round. The Frenchman himself has struggled this season so it’s tough to see how he beats Shapovalov in full flow. Expect an up-and-down match with lots of momentum swings and the Canadian just clinching the tie.
Prediction: Shapovalov in 3
Aslan Karatsev vs Daniil Medvedev
Head to head – Karatsev 1-0 Medvedev
For these two players, this week unfortunately does not serve as a warm up to the third grand slam of the year. These two players are merely playing to gather ranking points and stay in touch with the game. It’s a debate for another article whether these two should have been allowed to play in Wimbledon but for now we’ll focus on their upcoming clash.
Daniil Medvedev had had a great grass court season considering his past exploits on this surface. Two finals in two tournaments is a great showing and if he carries that form, others better watch out this week. He’s much more comfortable atop the rankings this time and with Wimbledon stripped off its ranking points, he’ll be number 1 for a longer duration this time around. He takes on Aslan Karatsev who’s yet to win a match on grass this year. The world number 1 has lost to his fellow countryman in their sole previous meeting but that was on clay and this time around it looks like Medvedev has the upper hand.
Prediction: Medvedev in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
