It’s time for the first main draw matches of the 2022 ATP Naples Cup. It should be an entertaining start to the event with six intriguing first-round matches on the schedule and, as always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match, including Flavio Cobolli vs Miomir Kecmanovic. But who will advance?
ATP Naples Day 1 Predictions
Adrian Mannarino vs Pedro Cachin
Head-to-head: first meeting
Pedro Cachin is still relatively untested on the ATP Tour, but he did quite well in Gijon last week, before tightening up in a deciding set tiebreak against Andy Murray with the occasion seeming to get the better of him. This should be a fun one with Adrian Mannarino, the new French #1 at 34-years-old, possessing some of the most unique strokes on the circuit, while the Argentinian is a rather one-dimensional baseliner. What effect will Mannarino’s game have on Cachin? It’s hard to say, but it’s possible that the 27-year-old could get a little lost in this matchup.
Prediction: Mannarino in 3
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Nuno Borges vs Albert Ramos Vinolas
Head-to-head: first meeting
Both players have had very clay-oriented schedules this year, but Nuno Borges is much more comfortable on other surfaces. His aggressive strokes require a bit of time to set up, but that shouldn’t be too much of a problem on slower hard courts. This is a big opportunity for Borges, but he’ll need to be on top of his game. Even if slightly out of his element, Albert Ramos Vinolas is a player with high tennis IQ, who’ll try everything to stop his opponent from finding the right rhythm. Ultimately though, the Spaniard is not the force he once was. Expect Borges to just about have the edge here.
Prediction: Borges in 3
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Luca Nardi vs Corentin Moutet
Head-to-head: first meeting
Luca Nardi played a fantastic match in Astana against Stefanos Tsitsipas, coming up just short as the Greek made use of his greater power, especially on serve. But that match demonstrated that the Italian has a lot of natural talent and, despite not being that strong physically, he finds ways to stay on top of the points and play aggressively. Corentin Moutet had a great run of form at the beginning of September, but he might be vulnerable to an upset here after three successive second-round exits. Nardi’s shotmaking will be an asset with the many situational shots that the Frenchman will force him to play.
Prediction: Nardi in 3
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