It’s the Day 1 of ATP action in Kitzbuhel and there are seven matches to get through. We’ve split our predictions articles in two–four of them in this article, and the other three predictions in a separate article, including a tantalizing first round between Cristian Garin and Federico Coria.
ATP Kitzbuhel Day 1 Predictions
Juan Pablo Varillas vs Carlos Taberner
Head-to-head: First meeting
Carlos Taberner is not to be underestimated. He is a well-equipped clay-courter, solid as they come, with some decent wins against Sebi Korda and Federico Delbonis to brag about on the surface.
The rising stock of Juan Pablo Varillas is impossible to ignore, however. Solid may not be enough to cut the mustard–wins last week in Gstaad against Roberto Bautista Agut and Lorenzo Sonego were seriously impressive and he made a good account for himself in his loss to Dominic Thiem. The Peruvian should have a little more to offer in these conditions.
Prediction: Varillas in 2
Vitaliy Sachko vs Dusan Lajovic
Head-to-head: First meeting
There isn’t much to consider here. Vitaliy Sachko enters the main draw as a lucky loser lacking in overly impressive form.
On the other side of the net, unfortunately even on auto-pilot Dusan Lajovic should revel in these conditions. He’s had his fair share of losses this year but has come up against some pretty stiff competition. He’s placed pretty comfortably in the draw too for an unseeded player – expect him to come through this first match and potentially keep that momentum going.
Prediction: Lajovic in 2
Jiri Lehecka vs Thiago Monteiro
Head-to-head: First meeting
Though Jiri Lehecka and Thiago Monteiro both sit around #60-80 in the rankings, this doesn’t feel like an entirely difficult match to predict.
Lehecka’s obviously got a brilliant game with plenty of latent potential just waiting to be tapped into. However his flat early strikes aren’t really best suited to a clay-court.
Thiago Monteiro has proven he can make the leap to the next level, at least on this surface. He currently sits at the highest ranking of his career having won a very tough Challenger in Salzburg, defeating players like Bagnis, Lajovic and Gombos to earn the title. Monteiro’s hard work is finally paying off–we believe he will grit his teeth to take advantage of this golden opportunity on his favorite surface. A dark horse at this event for certain.
Prediction: Monteiro in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
