With the Australian Open looming large on the horizon, the ATP Adelaide International provides players with a valuable chance to find some form ahead of the first Grand Slam of the season. Although day two in Adelaide doesn’t feature any top 10 players, it is sure to feature plenty of high quality action and, as always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the schedule, including Benjamin Bonzi vs Maxime Cressy. But who will reach the second round?
ATP Adelaide Day 2 Predictions
Tommy Paul vs Christopher O’Connell
Head-to-head: Paul 1-1 O’Connell
Tommy Paul had a really good 2022 season, rising all the way up to his current ranking of world #35, and he will be looking to go even further in 2023 as he (at least theoretically) approaches his peak. On paper, he should be able to do quick work of Christopher O’Connell here and advance to the next round. The Australian will have the support of the crowd and has made impressive strides in his own right over the last couple of season, but Paul’s combination of power and athleticism should make this a challenge too far for O’Connell.
Prediction: Paul in 2
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Arthur Rinderknech vs Marc-Andrea Huesler
Head-to-head: Rinderknech 2-1 Huesler
Arthur Rinderknech’s wins have both been at Challenger-level, while Huesler won their only ATP tour level match last year, albeit on grass. Both players are currently going through the best moment of their careers and will be looking to climb even higher up the rankings in 2023. Their levels are very similar and it will mostly come down to form on the day. But Rinderknech has had the better of this rivalry and should have just about enough to extend his advantage in their head-to-head.
Prediction: Rinderknech in 3
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Jason Kubler vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry
Head-to-head: Kubler 1-1 Etcheverry
Both of their meetings happened in 2022, with Tomas Martin Etcheverry winning in the Australian Open qualifying and Jason Kubler in Los Cabos, though both were very tight matches. Tomorrow’s encounter also promises to be very tight and will likely come down to small details. Kubler seems to be up on an upward trend recently and will have the advantage of playing at home. In a match of fine margins, that may well prove to be a decisive advantage.
Prediction: Kubler in 3
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Emil Ruusuvuori vs Mikael Ymer
Head-to-head: Ruusuvuori 2-1 Ymer
All of their three previous matches went to a deciding set that could have gone either way. As a result, another very tight encounter is to be expected here, as both players are at a similar level and are comfortable on this surface. It’s almost impossible to call which way this one will go. But although Ruusuvuori has had the edge so far in their rivalry, winning two of their previous three matches, Ymer won their most recent encounter and should be more accustomed to the conditions in Adelaide after playing here last week before coming through the qualifying this week.
Prediction: Ymer in 3
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