Day 3 of ATP action in Kitzbuhel boasts some potentially entertaining matches and others that could go either way. Pedro Martinez will be forced to hit his stride against Federico Coria whilst Aslan Karatsev‘s match against Dusan Lajovic could be a match full of shots from either end of the spectrum. We’ve looked to predict the outcome of these matches and two others that are taking place.
ATP Kitzbuhel Day 3 Predictions
Pedro Martinez vs Federico Coria
Head-to-head: Martinez 2-0 Coria at qualifying level
Federico Coria has announced himself this week with a third consecutive win against Cristian Garin. The Argentine doesn’t plan to live in his brother’s shadow forever; though he doesn’t possess a huge weapon, he really is making a name for himself as one of the toughest guys to beat on a clay-court.
It won’t be easy for Pedro Martinez but we believe he’s a cut above Coria. The Spaniard has the beefiness required in his game to put Coria away on this surface at the moment–it will probably take a Top 20 clay-court performance but we believe Martinez has the chops to deliver.
Prediction: Martinez in 3
Yannick Hanfmann vs Tallon Griekspoor
Head-to-head: Hanfmann 2-0 Griekspoor at Challenger level
There are similarities to Yannick Hanfmann and Tallon Griekspoor’s game in that we wouldn’t have picked either player to excel on a clay-court. They’ve both been making it work this year however with Hanfmann winning noteworthy matches against Coria and Garin and Griekspoor defeating Davidovich Fokina and Rune.
With both players capable of playing powerful tennis on the red dirt, we expect a tight match. If service holds are a given, the one factor that could separate the two is Hanfmann’s slight height advantage. He could find a few more free points in altitude in a tiebreak situation. Additionally he’s really been on the rise recently; a good result feels inevitable for him.
Prediction: Hanfmann in 3
Pablo Andujar vs Filip Misolic
Head-to-head: First meeting
A youngster on the rise, Filip Misolic should be in his element on home turf. At the same time, this is a big occasion and the struggles of the tour can take their toll when given opportunities such as this.
As we’ve seen at times this week, nerves could be a factor in this match-up – if they are, Pablo Andujar would absolutely be ready to take advantage. It can be quite startling facing the calmness and know-how of an ATP veteran in one of the best opportunities of your career. Experience should see the 36-year-old prevail.
Prediction: Andujar in 2
Dusan Lajovic vs Aslan Karatsev
Head-to-head: Lajovic 1-0 Karatsev at qualifying level
The biggest billing of the day is capable of being a damp squib. Besides Aslan Karatsev’s run to the title in Sydney at the start of the year, nothing has come easy for either player recently. We’ve been more impressed with Dusan Lajovic’s ability to pick himself up off the ground however. He came close to defeating eventual champion Lorenzo Musetti last week in Hamburg and has been wise enough to drop down a level whilst he finds his game.
Meanwhile Karatsev has struggled this way and that at the highest level, grinding out some tough wins here and there but also dropping matches that really should have been his. He’s failed to serve out the match four times this year (in comparison, Djokovic last failed to serve out a match in 2013), a sign his confidence has well and truly fallen by the wayside. Karatsev might light up for a set but Lajovic should have the tactical awareness to capitalize on a golden opportunity.
Prediction: Lajovic in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
