The ATP Tour has returned to Florence, Italy for the first time since 1994. The 28-man draw at the ATP Florence Open, a 250-level event is has a number of highly ranked players as well as some looking to regain form as the 2022 season winds down. Day two should provide plenty of entertaining action and, as always, we here at LWOT are offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Richard Gasquet vs Brandon Nakashima. But who will advance?
ATP Florence Day 2 Predictions
Lorenzo Sonego vs Bernabe Zapata Miralles
Head-to-head: Sonego 4-0 Zapata Miralles
Lorenzo Sonego is hoping to finish strong in what has been a disappointing season for the 27-year-old Italian. Sonego is just 27-30 since achieving his career high ranking of World No. 21 in early October of last season. The good news for the Italian? He is currently in the best form of his season and is playing an opponent he holds a 4-0 head-to-head record against. Bernabe Zapata Miralles is having a career year, but most of his work has been done on the clay. The Spaniard holds a 2022 clay-court record of 35-18 compared to a 7-8 mark on all other surfaces. Sonego bested Zapata Miralles 6-3 6-4 two weeks ago in Sofia. He is 6-1 in his last seven matches. The home crowd will be on his side. There is no reason Sonego does not get this done in straight sets.
Prediction: Sonego in 2
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David Goffin vs Francesco Passaro
Head-to-head: first meeting
Veteran David Goffin and young gun Francesco Passaro of Italy are set to square off for the first time in the first round in Florence. Although Goffin is just 4-7 since mid-August, he did take down Carlos Alcaraz last week in Astana after receiving a Lucky Loser spot in the draw. He was bested by Adrian Mannarino in his next match. The 21-year-old Italian received a Wild Card entry into this event as he looks for his first career ATP Tour-Level victory. Passaro holds a 45-22 record at the Challenger and ITF level this season, though, a majority of that work has come on the clay. He should get a bit of a boost from the home crowd, but I do not think a hard court match against a veteran like Goffin is where Passaro picks up his first ATP victory.
Prediction: Goffin in 2
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Alexander Bublik vs Cristian Garin
Head-to-head: Garin 1-0 Bublik
Seventh seed Alexander Bublik looks to continue his strong indoor hard court form against Chilean Cristian Garin. The two have played once previously, a September 2020 clay court victory for Garin. Bublik reached the final in Metz three weeks back and holds a 13-5 indoor hard court record this season. When focused, Bublik can trouble anyone on tour with his wide variety of weapons. Since Garin’s improbable run to the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, he has won just one match. Like Bublik, Garin can mentally get in his own way. The Chilean has had a rough 2022 season and I doubt he rebounds in Florence.
Prediction: Bublik in 2
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