We’ll almost finish Round 1 on Tuesday at the ATP European Open in Hamburg (one match will be played on Wednesday). One of the most exciting matches features Nikoloz Basilashvili and Aslan Karatsev, who were both recently targeted in match-fixing allegations. Neither has been able to maintain a steady level over the past few months. Will the two-time Hamburg European Open champion advance?
ATP Hamburg Day 2 Predictions
Laslo Djere vs Borna Coric
Head-to-head: Djere 2-0
Keep an eye out if Laslo Djere plays a tie-break in this one. The Serbian has now lost 16 breakers in a row and is just one away from equalling Robin Haase’s infamous record. However, at least with Djere, we know what we’re going to get as he never goes below a certain level. Borna Coric played some fabulous tennis to win a Challenger in Parma last month, but was since demolished by Nicholas David Ionel in Iasi. The latter was played in pretty fast clay conditions and he should be better here, but his form remains very unstable.
Prediction: Djere in 3
Fabio Fognini vs Aljaz Bedene
Head-to-head: Fognini 9-1
You rarely get such huge head-t0-heads, but with both guys prioritizing clay for the majority of their careers (it changed a bit for Aljaz Bedene later on) and similar age, it was made possible here. The Slovenian is playing the last season of his career, but still keeping a very decent level. It shouldn’t be enough for Fabio Fognini, even with the 35-year-old’s famous inconsistency. The Italian has basically avoided embarrassing losses this year and while it wouldn’t be quite like that with this one, he’s still generally superior against most of the ATP Tour on clay.
Prediction: Fognini in 3
Nikoloz Basilashvili vs Aslan Karatsev
Head-to-head: Basilashvili 5-1
The one we’ve been all waiting for? Sort of. Both players were recently named in a ZDF report on match-fixing, relating to their former coach Yahor Yatsyk. They’ll obviously lay low for this one, but they’re as unpredictable as they get. Nikoloz Basilashvili should have the edge as this has historically been one of his favorite hunting grounds. The Georgian is a two-time champion of this event, having won it in 2018 and 2019. He usually comes to this one with full motivation.
Prediction: Basilashvili in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
