Day 3 at the ATP Erste Bank Open in Vienna will have some of the biggest stars in the event enter the draw, including Jannik Sinner, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Daniil Medvedev, as well as a big second-round clash between Denis Shapovalov and Taylor Fritz. As always, we here at LWOT will preview and predict every match. Who do you think will win?
ATP Vienna Day 3 Predictions
Jannik Sinner vs Cristian Garin
Head-to-head: first meeting
While Sinner has only won one title in 2022, he has been very good at reaching the latter stages of tournaments this season. The Italian reached the quarterfinals at three of the four slams in addition to Miami, Monte Carlo, and Rome. Sinner was very strong on indoor hard last season, winning titles in Sofia and Antwerp and reached a semifinal in Vienna. In his last match, the 21-year-old was forced to retire from his Sofia semifinal against Holger Rune with an ankle injury three weeks ago, though he did get a nice draw to start in Vienna.
Indoor hard is Garin’s weakest surface by far. The Chilean has struggled across the board in 2022, dropping to No. 86 in the rankings, partially due to his Wimbledon quarterfinal run not being rewarded with points. His issues throughout the year have been amplified on indoor hard, winning just one in four matches. If Sinner is fit after his ankle injury, the Italian should win here easily.
Prediction: Sinner in 2
Daniel Evans vs Karen Khachanov
Head-to-head: Evans 2-0 Khachanov
One of two second-round matches played on Wednesday, we have a very exciting match-up between Evans and Khachanov. The two have faced off twice before, both times on indoor hard in 2020, with Evans coming back from a set down to win 6-4 in the third on both occasions. The Brit made the quarterfinals at Antwerp last week and gave Felix Auger-Aliassime a good fight. In the first round here, Evans beat Oscar Otte in straight sets.
Khachanov has won three of his four ATP titles on indoor hard, including the Paris Masters back in 2018. The Russian looked back to his best at the US Open, where he reached the semifinals, but has not quite followed up that form since. Khachanov made the quarterfinals in Astana but suffered a first-round loss to Sebastian Korda in Antwerp. In his Vienna opener, the World No. 18 took out JJ Wolf in two tight sets. It is a tough one to call but this match-up has suited Evans in the past, so I will go with him here.
Prediction: Evans in 3
Taylor Fritz vs Denis Shapovalov
Head-to-head: Shapovalov 4-2 Fritz
The likely match of the day for tomorrow will be played out between former No. 10 Denis Shapovalov and current No. 10 Taylor Fritz. 2022 has been a year of inconsistency for the Canadian, reaching highs such as the Australian Open quarterfinal but also going on a six-match losing streak in the summer. Fritz has meanwhile taken a clear next step in his career with a trio of titles in 2022, Indian Wells, Tokyo, Eastbourne, and played out one of the most exciting matches of the season in his Wimbledon quarterfinal against Rafael Nadal.
Shapovalov leads the head-to-head 4-2, all matches played on outdoor hard courts. Fritz has won their most recent meeting, defeating the Canadian in the Tokyo semifinals earlier this month. The 23-year-old progressed through his first round more easily, beating Jurij Rodionov in straight sets while Fritz had to come back from a set down against Yoshihito Nishioka. This is a very tough match to call and it will likely be going down to the wire, so I will choose Fritz as Shapovalov’s ability to close out big matches is a bit more questionable.
Prediction: Fritz in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
